Hearts for Hue’s Community Service Programmes connect international and local volunteers with marginalised, often rural, kindergartens and schools to deliver construction and cultural exchange projects aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children.
Projects vary and may include school improvements such as building handwashing facilities, equipping computer rooms, erecting fences, constructing green libraries, and creating gardens and courtyards. Other activities involve repairing homes and building toilets for disadvantaged families. All programmes incorporate recreational and cultural exchange activities, such as English language classes, cultural exchange with students from Hue University, and visits to paddy fields or traditional handicraft villages.
Volunteers work together to complete construction projects and take part in cultural exchange activities.
Fence Building
By building fences around rural kindergartens, Hearts for Hue provides protection to children while enabling schools to receive larger financial opportunities from the government. Schools that have fences are eligible for more government funding which can be used to improve and expand educational programs.
Infrastructure
Many kindergartens and schools have crumbling infrastructure, which can lead to increased health and safety risks for students and teachers. Some schools are at risk of increased flooding due to the lack of courtyards, driveways and drainage. This leaves students and teachers exposed to contaminated water problems and difficulties in attending classes. Repair and painting projects help maintain and restore vital infrastructure at schools and kindergartens.
Playgrounds
Kindergarten and school playgrounds are the perfect places that children can undertake social and physical activity. Hearts for Hue has facilitated many projects that provide much needed new playgrounds and improvements to existing playgrounds. This includes providing playgrounds that are sheltered so that children can undertake activities at any time during the day.
Fairy Garden Program
The Fairy Garden Projects organized by Hearts for Hue offer a unique and enriching experience for kindergarten children. These projects aim to create imaginative and interactive outdoor spaces where young learners can explore, play, and grow. Through the construction of walking paths, pebble creeks, and small wooden bridges, the garden becomes a space that stimulates curiosity and creativity. Additionally, the greening of kindergarten areas enhances the natural beauty of the school environment while also fostering a sense of environmental awareness among the children. More than just playground improvements, the Fairy Garden Projects are a meaningful contribution to early childhood development and community engagement.
Vegetable Garden
In rural areas, schools and kindergartens are increasingly committed to teaching children the basics of vegetable growing. These on-site vegetable gardens serve as practical learning spaces where children can engage with nature and better understand the origins of the food they eat. Through hands-on experience, students learn how to plant, care for, and harvest various vegetables, which not only promotes environmental awareness but also encourages healthy eating habits from an early age. Moreover, the produce from these gardens often contributes to the school’s lunch program, helping to provide fresh and nutritious meals for the children. These gardens are more than just educational tools—they are a sustainable solution that supports both learning and nourishment.
Green Library
The Green Library Projects initiated by Hearts for Hue create a unique opportunity for children to learn in a safe and engaging environment beyond the traditional classroom. These outdoor libraries are thoughtfully designed to provide sheltered reading and learning spaces that inspire curiosity and a love for books. By adding these valuable facilities to rural primary schools, the projects help bridge the gap in educational resources and promote literacy in underprivileged communities. More than just a physical structure, each Green Library is a symbol of community care and investment in the future of local children. Through these initiatives, Hearts for Hue continues to make a lasting impact on education in rural Vietnam.
Hand-washing Station
As student numbers continue to rise, many rural kindergartens face the urgent need to upgrade their facilities to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment. Recognizing this challenge, Hearts for Hue has introduced wash station projects to support hygiene and sanitation in these schools. These projects involve installing multiple handwashing stations that are thoughtfully designed at a child-friendly height, making them easily accessible for young children. By promoting regular handwashing habits, the initiative not only improves daily hygiene but also helps prevent the spread of illness, creating a healthier space for learning and play. The wash station projects are a simple yet impactful way to meet the growing needs of rural kindergartens and support the well-being of the youngest students.
Chicken Coop
The rural areas of Hue are home to many disadvantaged families who face daily challenges in securing stable income and food sources. To support these communities, international schools and charitable organizations have partnered with Hearts for Hue to implement chicken coop projects. These initiatives involve constructing chicken coops and providing families with chickens, enabling them to generate a sustainable source of income and nutrition. Beyond the tangible benefits of food and financial support, the projects also foster a sense of independence, pride, and well-being among the families involved. By combining practical assistance with long-term empowerment, the chicken coop projects have become a vital part of improving livelihoods in rural Hue. In addition to building chicken coops, the Hearts for Hue community service program extends to providing toilets and house repairs for disadvantaged families. The projects include fixing roofs, painting and maintenance.
Volunteer groups are given the chance to experience authentic Vietnamese culture through various cultural exchange opportunities while working with Hearts for Hue. Cooking lessons are offered by the schools, allowing volunteers to learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes and experience Vietnamese culture through the sharing of food.
Groups are also given the opportunity to participate and lead English lessons with students at the kindergarten. Children study and practice English in their schools but rarely have the chance to engage with fluent speakers. By allowing volunteers to interact with children, Hearts for Hue is hoping to increase the children’s English language skills while introducing them to different cultures and people.
