More than I give
Every time I give, I receive so much more.
Hữu Nghị Village feels like a second home to me, filled with beloved siblings, aunts and grandpas. My monthly visits have nurtured my empathy and gratitude, while guiding me toward what I hope to leave behind: “Man is not born to disappear like a nameless grain of sand, but to leave an imprint on the earth and in the hearts of others.
Even after six years together, I still become a crybaby whenever I hear the stories of veterans from across the country. This place has also become the happiest part of my month: coming back to bring the village little gifts, sometimes mooncakes, sometimes blankets and bedding. I am grateful to be able to give back to the community that raised and sheltered me, while I still can—before they have to say goodbye to us.
Inspired, I wanted to reach children in even more isolated communities, especially those whose needs often go unnoticed. I came to believe that giving someone a “fishing rod” is far more meaningful than simply handing them a fish. So, together with my friends, I built a system that sells locally sourced tea to support education and community development in Bản Liền and Trạm Tấu. The first time I saw those mountains with my own eyes, I saw beyond the landscapes I had studied by heart in Geography—the poverty, the distance, and the people living within them.
PROJECT
But my mission to make education more accessible did not stop there. I continued looking for ways to help children learn and thrive academically, especially in subjects that are often overlooked or undervalued in Vietnam. Through WITH Project, I work to make social sciences more accessible while learning to understand students’ needs and the perspectives of educators. From designing learning materials to supporting high school entrance preparation, I found another way to help students see education not simply as a test to pass, but as a space where they can grow.
ROMUN became my way of giving back to the MUN community that had given me so much. As debate opportunities continue to grow across Vietnam, MUN remains relatively scarce, with even fewer competitions creating welcoming spaces for newcomers. MUN gave me confidence, knowledge, and, perhaps most importantly, a deeper understanding of people whose perspectives differ from my own. So I wanted to pass that opportunity forward, to give more students a seat at the table, a chance to speak, and a community that would listen.