Sharing love on the full moon day of August

Students at SOS Children's Village Hai Phong received gifts from many units and businesses on the occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival.

Warm moonlight on the shared roof

In the first days of the eighth lunar month, the Hai Duong Social Protection Center is bustling, unlike usual. The hall is lit up, drums and gongs resound, groups of students are enthusiastically practicing performing arts. This year's full moon festival promises many surprises because the children, despite their disabilities, are the "artists" of the program.

On the rehearsal stage, Tran Thi Huyen Trang, her eyes sparkling, holding a script, is transforming into the role of Jade Rabbit in the Mid-Autumn Festival play. “This is the first time I’ve been on stage, there are a lot of people watching so I’m a bit nervous. But I’ll try my best because I want to bring joy to everyone,” Trang confided.

Huyen Trang was originally a quiet girl, but this year, encouraged by her teachers, she boldly participated and became the main character of the gala. On her still hesitant face, a bright smile appeared.

Not only Trang, many other children at the center also diligently practiced. The lion dance group focused on correcting each movement. The "August Lantern Procession" dance group was especially touching when it was performed by students with hearing and speech disabilities using sign language. Teachers at the center shared that training children with disabilities is much more difficult, but the children put in a lot of effort. They just hope that the children will be more confident, so that when the stage lights come on, that joy will be an unforgettable memory.

Hai Duong Social Protection and Care Center currently has 360 students, divided into 33 classes. Mid-Autumn Festival is always the most anticipated activity of the year. For the children, joy comes not only from the cake and lanterns but also from the feeling of being cared for and integrated into the community.

Students with hearing and speech disabilities perform the "August Lantern Procession" dance in sign language.

Gifts filled with love

The Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere is also everywhere in Hai Phong. At Dien Phuc Pagoda (Duong An Commune), the "Full Moon Festival" has given hundreds of gifts to children. Dang Vu Dieu Huong, a student with difficult circumstances, is currently living with her grandparents in Mo Trach village. Holding the newly received lantern, her eyes lit up with joy mixed with a bit of shyness. "I'm very happy because I have gifts and friends to play with. I will try to study well so that I can work in the future and help my grandparents and everyone else," Huong whispered.

At SOS Children's Village Hai Phong, where 96 children are being cared for, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival has become a special occasion for connection. This year's "Welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival for Children" program has been accompanied by many benefactors, who presented star lanterns, candies, school bags and loving wishes. A child in the village shared while holding his new school bag: "I will keep my bag very carefully, because this is the first gift I have received on the Mid-Autumn Festival."

On this occasion, the Hai Phong Association for the Support of the Disabled and Orphans in collaboration with Meritorious Artist Kim Tieu Long presented 250 gifts to orphans and disabled children at the Hai Phong SOS Children's Village, the Hoa Phuong Center for Social Work and Child Protection, the Hai Phong Special Education School and the Hai Phong Disabled Youth Club. Not only did the artist present gifts, he also sang, talked and brought laughter to the children. He shared: "I hope that despite many difficulties, my children will still be good, study well, and nurture their dreams to become good citizens in the future."

In remote schools such as Nguyen Trai Secondary School (Nguyen Trai Ward), ethnic boarding students also celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with simple cakes. Their innocent eyes and bright smiles seem to erase all the hardships of everyday life.

It takes more time and effort for disabled students to practice a performance on the full moon night of August.

This year, in addition to the annual activities, many clubs and youth volunteer groups in Hai Phong have personally "woven" a festival for children in special circumstances. The program "Melody of the Moon" was organized by the "Drawing Dreams with Me" Club in collaboration with the "Hai Phong Professional Chefs" Club and students of the Faculty of Maritime Affairs, Vietnam Maritime University, calling for support, bringing 130 children a colorful and sparkling festival night.

From the bustling lion dance to the jubilant feast, from the cute little cakes to the simple gifts, everything blends in with the laughter of children. Mr. Phan Trung Hieu, a member of the organizing committee, shared: “We just want the children to have a truly meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival. The smiles of the children are the most precious gifts we receive.”

Mid-Autumn Festival is a children's festival, but more deeply, it is also an occasion to remind the community of its responsibility to future generations. From the protection centers, SOS Children's Villages to pagodas, schools in remote areas... everywhere is bright with human love. Each cake, each gift not only has material value, but also carries faith and hope. Thanks to the cooperation of society, less fortunate children can enjoy a full and warm full moon festival.

PHUONG LINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/se-chia-yeu-thuong-mua-trang-ram-thang-tam-522502.html