For me, volunteering is like life.

Le Van Phuc (middle) in the program "Border March" 2024, which was recently organized by the group in Binh Phuoc province - Photo: NVCC

Sometimes just receiving a smile from the recipient makes me happy, stimulates my desire to contribute and gives me more motivation to continue with my chosen mission of supporting the community.

LE VAN PHUC

Currently a student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University), this friend is also the deputy head of the National Volunteer Network in the Southern region. Phuc is one of 20 national nominees for this year's Outstanding Young Vietnamese Faces award.

Talking with Tuoi Tre , Phuc expressed:

- I chose to start with volunteering. For me, volunteering helps young people show their responsibility to the community and the country. Thanks to that, young people have the opportunity to experience, contribute, serve the community, have compassion, know how to live responsibly, share and develop themselves more comprehensively.

Be a little reckless

* At the age of 16, you have established a charity group. How do you gather like-minded young people?

- Born and raised in Gia Lai, since childhood I have witnessed many difficult situations. Many stories I encountered always made me wonder "What can young people do?".

At that time, my hometown had almost no volunteer clubs or groups. I distributed the survey to you with the hope of creating an environment for young people to participate in sustainable, professional, long-term volunteer activities.

Looking back now, the birth of Fly To Sky at that time was probably reckless because I was only 16 years old. The name is like the wish to take us to the sky, to give wings to dreams, which is the mission the group has been pursuing over the years. Currently, the group has more than 200 official members, with more than 80% being high school students, and about 6,700 volunteers nationwide.

* You have done many things recently, what are the outstanding and memorable activities?

- Although mainly students, the group has been implementing 27 community projects, more than 150 programs and campaigns for community health care, social security and environment, culture - education in Gia Lai and 22 other provinces and cities across the country. The total estimated cost of the activities is nearly 12 billion VND.

The group's volunteers have donated more than 47,000 books, 33 bookcases and libraries to schools in mountainous areas and shelters to help children access and develop the habit of reading. We also regularly teach more than 50 orphans at the shelters, help students in some schools use clean water, and help people with some basic medical equipment.

The group has brought more than 30,000 gifts and dozens of tons of goods and necessities to the poor and ethnic minorities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has had many activities to support the community in preventing the pandemic, giving away welfare gift bags, vegetables, fruits, and necessities to many places.

The memorable "Exchange books for trees" model attracted more than 23,000 participants, equivalent to 73 tons of books and paper, with over 2,500 volunteers in nine provinces and cities participating. And many other projects are still continuing to share and solve local problems.

Children read books in the library from the project donated by Fly To Sky Charity Group - Photo: NVCC

Volunteering requires professionalism

* Being attached and familiar with volunteering, what do you think needs to be done to promote this spirit in young people?

- Personally, I and the Standing Committee of the National Volunteer Network in the Southern region (under the National Volunteer Center) often connect with Youth Unions and Associations in various places. At the same time, we listen, share information, guide and support volunteer clubs and groups in the South as well as the volunteer community in the country.

Through national volunteer network conferences, forums, volunteer days, and festivals of regional and national volunteer clubs and teams, there will be opportunities to better understand the activities of volunteer clubs and teams and see how they can help you.

It's all in the spirit of volunteering, but I'm really happy. Because if I were alone, I wouldn't be able to help many people, but when many people with the same passion join together, supporting them to do better, more effectively, and importantly, to realize their goals, volunteering is much more meaningful.

* From a personal perspective, do you think volunteering is just a movement or does it need to be professional?

- When I became a team leader, I spent time learning from many seniors, honing my skills, actively organizing and participating in volunteer activities. I believe that faith is very important, and we must act to prove it on the journey of serving the community.

Personally, I and my team have been working hard to prove that mission. I believe that if young people dare to commit and act, they will do it, if not do it very well. Likewise, volunteer projects require perseverance and sustainable activities. And volunteer activities must be a matter that requires careful thinking and increasingly professionalization, not a movement if they want to be effective.

It is important to arrange time with each person who loves volunteering. Because when you love, you will not only participate in the movement but also form a habit and with students, it is definitely not allowed to affect their studies.

During the first two years of establishing this charity group, Phuc still won third prize in the national excellent geography competition for two consecutive years in grades 11 and 12 to be admitted directly to university while still ensuring the management and participation in the group's activities.

The award goes to Le Van Phuc

- National Volunteer Award 2019.

- Title "Outstanding Young Citizen of Gia Lai" 2019.

- Progressive youth follow Uncle Ho's teachings nationwide 2020.

- Beautiful Youth Award 2022.

- "Warm Heart" Award 2022 (awarded by the Russian Federation).

- Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Youth Union for outstanding achievements in volunteer activities for the community in 2023.

- Twice received certificate of merit from the Minister of Education and Training.

- Title "Bright Student" 2022 University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University).

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/voi-toi-tinh-nguyen-nhu-la-cuoc-song-20240320102933163.htm