U.S. students popularize Vietnam's volunteer campaign to world
Vietnam's nationwide Green Summer Campaign, which gathers thousands of youths to do charity works around the country in the summer, has recently inspired a group of U.S. student to popularize the idea to the world.
A group of North Carolina and Duke University students along local students will film activities and build a Web site about Vietnam's 12-year youth volunteer campaign to show to the world.
"Although there are many volunteer activities for youth in the U.S, none is at the national-level like Vietnam's Green Summer Campaign," said the students.
Making the film
On June 26, a group of six students - three of whom are Americans - began shooting activities of the Green Summer Campaign. The filmmakers plan to produce a 20-minute film clip about the volunteercampaign.
"Through our Vietnamese schoolmates, we had heard about Vietnam's history, culture and the youth volunteer campaign. We wanted to witness and popularize the campaign to other friends and youths with live video clips," said Jordan Kyle from Duke University.
The afternoon of June 29, the group captured Vietnamese volunteers commanding traffic at a street corner in HCMC's district 3.
The filmmakers also visited the East Bus Station in Binh Thanh district to record volunteers guiding thousands of students arriving to HCMC from other provinces for their upcoming entrance university exams.
The youths helped students find places to stay and get around the city.
The group also recorded activities at the HCMC Youth Cultural House and Youth and Drugs Forum.
On July 15, the group plans to capture more volunteers in action in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre.
Worldwide exposure
Besides the video clips, other U.S. students are building a Web site about Vietnam's national volunteer campaign.
The afternoon of July 5, the students interviewed Tang Huu Phong, standing chairman of the HCMC Student Association, about the Green Summer Campaign's developing process, organization and achievements.
"We are really impressed by the large scale of the campaign. I think the Web site will help friends all over the world know about the campaign," said Kyle.
The group is set to finish the history section of their Web site by mid-July.
"Unlike in Vietnam, similar programs in the U.S. are run by specialized organizations. We were really surprised to learn that Vietnamese students established the program and ran it by themselves," said the group.
"I'm honored to join the Green Summer Campaign and put on the volunteer's uniform. I really love it." said Carly from Duke University.
Vietnamese insiders
Local volunteers like group leader Thanh Hang from Hong Bang University are also helping the U.S. students promote Vietnam's national campaign. Hang said the group was planning to collect more information, pictures and articles about the volunteer works in Ben Tre province.
"What's most difficult for us is translating all information into English so that our foreign friends can understand everything. But, we have showed them Thanh Nien's English Web site for references," said Hang.
"With the help of our U.S friends, I believe that the Green Summer Campaign's activities can act as a bridge for youths around the world," said Mr. Phong. "Vietnam's Green Summer Campaign will always welcome friends from all over the world," he added.
Reported by T.L, T.D, V.A - Translated by Trong Khuong.
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 14 July, 2005, 10:20:14 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News
