Blue-shirted volunteers sow seeds of knowledge

Youth volunteers assist children attending classes at Phap Tuyen Buddhist Temple in Trang Dai Ward.

With their youthful enthusiasm and volunteer spirit, the "blue-shirted" tutors are quietly sowing the seeds of knowledge, strengthening the confidence of disadvantaged students and helping them pursue their dreams, while spreading the positive values of Dong Nai's youth throughout the community.

Volunteering to impart knowledge

Having recently graduated from high school and while awaiting her university admission results, Tran Minh Anh, from Quarter 3, Trang Dai Ward, joined the “Blue-shirted Tutor” team to assist in teaching children at Phap Tuyen Buddhist Temple in the ward. Minh Anh said that although she has participated in many volunteer activities, this opportunity is her first experience teaching children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"In this special class, besides children who attend school at the appropriate age, there are some who still cannot read or write. I guide them in spelling, handwriting practice, and learning math in a way that is easy to understand so they do not become discouraged. Teaching these children requires meticulousness, perseverance, and patience. However, seeing their progress – from being unable to read or write to sounding out words and writing their names – makes all my efforts worthwhile," said Minh Anh.

Doan Thi My Thao, who is in charge of the summer classes at Phap Tuyen Buddhist Temple, said the program currently has about 85 students from grades 1 to 9 enrolled in classes held from Monday to Friday. Owing to the large number of students, the Trang Dai Ward Youth Union has mobilized volunteers to provide teaching support since mid-June. Their participation has helped ease teachers' workload, enabled more effective small-group instruction, and created a more vibrant learning environment.

In addition to organizing summer academic classes for children in central areas, "Green Summer" volunteer teams from universities and colleges also conduct summer review sessions for children in remote, isolated, and border areas. According to Duong Cam Diep, Secretary of Dong Nai University’s Youth Union, besides the English classes organized in Tam Hiep Ward, during the "Green Summer" campaign in Dak O Commune from July 1 to 19, the Dong Nai University’s Youth Union assigned 14 students to conduct summer review classes for approximately 240 ethnic minority children. From Monday to Friday, the blue-shirted tutors assisted students with handwriting, reading, writing, and reviewing Vietnamese and English, while organizing extracurricular activities to provide a beneficial environment that helps children become more confident and proactive in their studies.

Bringing knowledge closer to disadvantaged students

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Youth Union, Chairwoman of the City Students’ Association, and Chairwoman of the City Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization Council, said the “Blue-shirted Tutor” team is one of the specialized teams participating in the "Green Summer" youth volunteer campaign, with the objective of bringing knowledge closer to children in difficult circumstances, those living in remote, isolated, or border areas, and the children of workers and laborers.

Accordingly, the City Youth Union and the City Students’ Association have directed the Youth Unions and Students’ Associations of universities and colleges in the city to organize free summer classes in areas with high demand. Priority has been given to areas with large numbers of workers' children, charity classes, and localities facing significant difficulties. At the city level, the “Blue-shirted Tutor” team comprises about 20 students responsible for two classes at Phap Tuyen Buddhist Temple (Trang Dai Ward) and the Hoa An charity class in Bien Hoa Ward.

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union, said the success of the “Blue-shirted Tutor” team is measured not only by the number of classes organized or the number of participating children, but also by the positive changes in each child and the personal growth of every volunteer following a summer of dedication.

In addition to providing review sessions in subjects such as Math, Literature, and English, this year's "Blue-shirted Tutors” team also guides students in self-study methods, study skills, and reading habits. The team integrates digital transformation content by providing guidance on using online learning platforms and applying artificial intelligence in learning safely and effectively. This is regarded as a notable new feature of the campaign, in line with the city's orientation toward developing digital human resources and promoting digital transformation in education.

Monitoring results show that, since their implementation, the classes conducted by the blue-shirted tutors have been organized in an orderly manner and have effectively met community needs. The volunteers have demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and dedication, receiving positive feedback from Party committees, authorities, local residents, and especially the children participating in the classes.

Mai Hoang Thao Vy, a student in Class 5/16 at Trang Dai Primary School, has attended the summer classes at Phap Tuyen Buddhist Temple for the second consecutive year. Thao Vy said, "The blue-shirted tutors are always dedicated, explain lessons clearly, patiently answer questions, and, most importantly, create a lively, friendly, and comfortable learning environment. Because of their efforts, attending class not only helps strengthen my knowledge but also brings me joy during the summer. It motivates me to begin the new school year with enthusiasm and achieve good results."

The blue-shirted volunteers are not only sowing the seeds of knowledge but also nurturing dreams among children, promoting a spirit of sharing throughout the community, and affirming the role, responsibility, and aspirations of young people to contribute to the journey of building a learning society where no one is left behind.