Lessons in Love

Vietnamese version: Nguyen Thanh Nhu Tu – Project Assistant, Nhu Xuan ADP.

“Now I know what love is,” said Nguyen, a seventh grader from Nhu Xuan district in Thanh Hoa province.

Nguyen’s schoolmate, Anh, explained: “Love is something we show to others and we shouldn’t expect it in return. We need to listen to, share with and take care of each other and appreciate what we have.”

The two girls were among 70 young people aged 11-16 on a five-day training course to highlight 12 key values to live by. With love as its theme, World Vision’s Nhu Xuan Area Development Programme (ADP) organised the course in late July in Thanh Hoa.

During the course, the participants shared their real-life experiences, played games and discussed their opinions and understanding of life values. The youngsters also learned about a life guideline, which is a valuable tool for them to take responsibility for their own lives and their behaviour towards others.

“This is the first time these pupils have been part of an extra-curricular activity like this one. Without it, neither the students nor their teachers would have known about the life values,” said Nguyen Thi Bich, an assistant on the course.

“Talking about their dreams and ambitions for the future brought many of the students to tears,” she continued.

Over recent weeks, Nhu Xuan ADP has organised other child-focused activities, such as a summer camp, communication events on avoiding injuries and the danger of drowning, and swimming lessons, to ensure a happy and safe break from school for 4,500 children in the district.