Lunar New Year for children is a time of family reunion, joyful play with siblings, and receiving bright red lucky envelopes carrying heartfelt New Year wishes. But not every child is fortunate enough to have that experience. For the children attending the charity class at Hai Phong Diocese Cathedral, Tet passes quietly like any ordinary day. New gifts and New Year greetings can sometimes feel like a luxury.
Moved by sincere empathy for these underprivileged children, students from the Community Service Leadership Club of The Dewey Schools Hai Phong launched a volunteer project titled “From You to New” with the companionship and guidance of their teachers.
Over four months, more than 10 fundraising events were organized, featuring handmade products such as crochet keychains, wool flowers, homemade cacao, and more. With the support of parents, the project provided essential supplies, sweets, New Year greeting cards, and financial assistance to five orphaned children.
Trinh Khanh Linh (Grade 11 Atlanta), serving as Project Leader, shared emotionally: “I feel very warm being able to join everyone in helping the children, even in a small way. Although they are young, they are very understanding. I hope that each year, through different volunteer projects, we will be able to help even more people. True to the name ‘From You to New’ – a new beginning starts from each individual, from small actions that can spread into meaningful value.”
The project not only delivered material gifts but also nurtured seeds of compassion in every Dewey student’s heart. Their journey of growth at Dewey goes beyond knowledge and skills; it is also about cultivating empathy, responsibility, and love. Because a truly holistic education is one where a “cool head” and a “warm heart” are nurtured together, so that every student grows up not only capable but also committed to living for the community.
