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Arriving in Ca Mau province at 5am, after a long journey from Ho Chi Minh City, the Green Heart group continued to move to Khanh Lam commune . The gifts had been sent in advance, so that the Nurturing the Future program could take place successfully and thoughtfully. Here, the group gave more than 280 gifts to students and poor families.

24 bicycles were given to Khanh Lam commune, helping children go to school more conveniently.

As the unit connecting the group, Ms. Ha Ngoc Thao, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Provincial Party agencies, said: "The journey of the retired uncles and aunts has spread the flame of enthusiasm and dedication to children and people. Although it is far away and inconvenient to travel, the group is always willing to bring warm, sincere feelings and meaningful gifts. This is a valuable source of encouragement for the children to firmly step on the path of learning."

Quickly wiping away sweat, continuing to arrange school supplies, backpacks, notebooks... Ms. Tang Thanh My said that although she is 67 years old, she is still very happy to go and give gifts to people in difficult circumstances. Retired since 2014, in 2017, after many trips back and forth between the North and the South, she came up with the idea of ​​connecting friends to both travel and combine giving charity gifts. The journey of the Green Heart group originated from that thought. Over the past 8 years, each year the group has carried out 5-6 programs in many localities. Gathering 300 members to participate, every time there is information about difficult areas, everyone mobilizes and contributes. The group's target audience is ethnic minority children, in mountainous, remote and isolated areas, with the motto of getting closer, so that gifts, big or small, are given to the right people.

Necessities were promptly delivered to 140 households in difficult circumstances in Khanh Lam commune.

Ms. My confided: “The role of the Green Heart group is to connect, receive the surplus people to share with the needy, the important thing is the right location, so that kind-hearted people can trust and entrust. After each activity, what makes me happy is the smiles of children. The gift is not big but it is a source of encouragement, helping the children go to school, and the retired cadres are also given more happiness.”

Ms. Tang Thanh My, representative of the Green Heart group, received a plaque of recognition for her golden heart from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of U Minh commune.

This is the second time returning to Ca Mau, the group visited Khanh Lam commune and U Minh commune . The children received practical gifts at the beginning of the new school year. More than 390 gifts were given, along with 70 bicycles, with a total value of over 240 million VND. Unable to hide her emotions when receiving a new bicycle, Tran Nha Phuong, a student at Vo Thi Sau Primary School, U Minh commune, said: "Normally, I ride a friend's bike, there are days when I have to walk, now that I have a new bike, I will ride my bike to school, I thank you, teachers and uncles, for supporting me and my friends."

Students happily participated in group games at the program.

Practical gifts were given one after another, including: backpacks, water bottles, notebooks, school supplies, towels and teddy bears.

Sharing the joy, Quach Be Thao, a student at Tran Dai Nghia Primary School in U Minh Commune, said: "The gifts are backpacks, school bags, rulers, teddy bears, towels, and bicycles, all of which are essential for the new school year. Having a bicycle will save my parents the trouble of taking me to school. I promise to try my best to study well so as not to let my teachers and uncles down."

According to Mr. Ngo Quoc Phong, Secretary of U Minh Commune Youth Union: "The gifts have material value, and are also a source of spiritual encouragement, helping many families overcome difficulties at the beginning of the new school year. With the responsibility of the youth, the Commune Youth Union will continue to mobilize and accompany the children, not letting them drop out of school due to economic difficulties, joining hands to continue going to school."

At retirement age, many members of the Green Heart group are still enthusiastic about volunteer trips across the country.

In Ca Mau, at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, the group donated 70 bicycles.

Children's smiles when receiving gifts from the journey "Step by Step to School".

The activity continued the journey of Ca Mau youth in protecting and caring for children, supporting students in difficult circumstances. Before the new school year 2025-2026, the Provincial Youth Union, the Provincial Vietnam Youth Union and the Provincial Pioneer Council mobilized more than 1.3 billion VND to support students. Commune, ward and affiliated youth unions organized 158 activities, supporting more than 7,200 children in difficult circumstances to continue going to school, with a total budget of nearly 3.5 billion VND.

Trinh Hai

Source: https://baocamau.vn/hanh-trinh-xanh-nang-buoc-em-den-truong-a122557.html