There are journeys that cannot be measured by distance, but are remembered by the quiet emotions in the heart. For Hanoi Adelaide School’s Duong Noi campus junior high school students, the visit to the Vietnam Friendship Village as part of the “Heart Unwrap” learning project was such a journey – where they learned to slow down, observe, and feel with genuine empathy.
In the peaceful setting of the Friendship Village, HASians toured the classrooms where the children live and study. From simple alphabet classes, sewing and knitting classes, to crafting – each stitch, each thread, each small, beautiful product is a testament to perseverance, to the desire to work, to live a useful life, and to be independent amidst difficulties that cannot be named in words.
The meeting became more meaningful through heartfelt sharing from representatives of the Vietnam Friendship Village about their journey of caring for and nurturing war veterans and children affected by the consequences of war. Representatives from the H.A.S. Board of Directors also expressed their deep appreciation for the humanitarian values that the Friendship Village is preserving, and affirmed that each charitable trip is not only about giving, but also an opportunity for students to learn gratitude, love, and responsibility.
Furthermore, the moments of interaction with the war veterans left many unforgettable emotions. Their simple life stories and war memories, told in warm voices, helped the children understand that today’s peace was bought with countless silent sacrifices. The charitable trip to the Vietnam Friendship Village concluded, but the beautiful emotions remain. Hanoi Adelaide School believes that these authentic experiences will become valuable assets, enabling HAS students to grow up with knowledge, compassion, and kindness.
Hanoi Adelaide School
Pioneering Competency-Based Education in Vietnam
