Vu Thi Dung (white blazer, third from left) and the children attend the Aspiration Summer Camp. (photo: VOV)

The Aspiration Summer Camp gathers 250 out of 400 orphans and neglected children from Dung’s Aspiration House. They have participated in discussions on different themes such as “Protecting oneself in cyberspace” and “Maturity journey”, visited the Hung Kings’ Temple, and practiced teambuilding. During the get-together they talked about their dreams to become teachers or CEOs of companies to generate jobs for many people.

“I joined the AspirationHouse in 2016. It has been eight years. It has changed me from a disadvantaged child without a clear vision of life into an open and sharing person. We can always become a better version of ourselves.”

“I have changed a lot. I’m thankful for Mother Dung’s love. When I graduate, I will become a teacher. It’s my dream and aspiration. I will return to help the children, particularly those in mountainous areas.”

“Mother Dung has a great love. She always protects us and offers the best things she can to the children. All of us are as close as family members.”

The Aspiration Fund of Vu Thi Dung was formed in September 5^th, 2019. The annual summer camp assembles the children who have grown up here to meet again, learn more social skills, talk about their willingness and aspiration, and spread love. The children of the Aspiration Houseare given school fees, books, and clothes and received regular encouragement to overcome their difficulties.

Over the last 11 years, the Aspiration Fund and Mother Dung has fostered 400 children. Half of them graduated high school and arepursuing higher education or working to improve their lives.

Mrs. Dung said: “There are many moving stories. Each child is an example of the magic of life. Each story is really haunting but also a motivation for me to have more faith in the path I have chosen. We havecapitalized on social strength to nurture the children to become valuable, kind, and helpful citizens. We’ll continue our path to develop good citizens for the nation.”

Dang Thanh Tam is one of the Fund’s sponsors: “I’ve accompanied the Aspiration Fund for two years. It has created value for society and poor children and orphans, who have extraordinary will. Mrs. Dung and I traveled to many provinces and cities to visit the poor children that people recommended to us. The children consider Aspiration House their second home. They have worked hard to win scholarships and awards, even of international schools such as Fulbright and British University Vietnam BUV.”

Duogn Tu Quynh, Director of Duong Gia Media Company, said: “I feel their love and aspiration. The children come from more than 30 provinces and cities across the country, and are from 5 to 18 years old as well asgrown-ups. They love each other more than siblings in the family. Growing up from disadvantages, they are raised by Aspiration House who has sparked their beliefs and desires. The children grow up, mature, and live with affection. The old ones take care of the little ones. Many of them help each other study just by phone calls every weekend. They can meet each other at the summer camp. It’s great happiness.”

Every Aspiration Summer Camp is a festival of happiness for the children to meet, tighten their bonding, and build their will to do better in life.