Every year, volunteers representing Sunflower Mission travel to Vietnam as part of our annual Work Camp to help complete a school in progress, teach workshops for local students and families, and present scholarships and gifts. Here, we document our reflections, thoughts, and lessons learned. Follow along.
by Thái Nguyễn
What’s the phrase? It takes a village to raise a child… and indeed, it takes a village to build a school for that child.
As I reflect on Day 3 of this mission, I can’t help but think back on the days before. I came into this work camp with an open mind and no fixed expectations. But as soon as we began our time in Hanoi, I was struck by the incredible level of organization it takes to manage, guide, and lead a group of over 60 people.
Read Moreby Kendall Nguyễn
There’s something surreal about seeing a sketch transform into a living, breathing mural - especially knowing it will live in this school forever. As I painted alongside my incredible team (go Team 4!), I kept thinking about how these colors and shapes will soon become part of the students’ daily lives.
Read Moreby Trần Tường Vi
Today marks the fourth day of my first Workcamp. I've had a bit of regret these past few days because I've been sick. Despite that, being able to join everyone in painting walls and creating art to help others made me forget my fatigue.
Read Moreby Annie Vuong
This being my first work camp, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I knew the admirable mission: helping to build a school in rural Vietnam, bringing education and opportunity to countless children for years to come. What I didn’t know was how it would be done, what it would look like, or how it would feel.
Read Moreby Noah Tran
Work Camp, more like party camp. That’s what I thought last year when I attended Work Camp for the first time. In 2024, I showed up wide-eyed and responsibility-free, just a “deer in headlights” whose primary tasks were painting… painting… body rolls… and more painting. While undeniably fun, the experience felt surprisingly comfortable for something designed to challenge our willpower and deepen our commitment to shaping the futures of young Vietnamese children.
Read Moreby Tuyết Hoa
Today marked the third day of our journey to spread kindness and connection. In the morning, we added color to the sketches we had outlined on the school walls the day before. It was my first time painting a wall, and doing it by hand made the experience feel even more special. What made it truly meaningful, is we were creating something beautiful for the children here. Our room was filled with laughter, music and in that joyful noise, I found a deep sense of belonging and purpose.
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