BIS Hanoi students empower 1400 children in the mountainous region of Vietnam through their social impact project, Chalk Road

The excitement continued on the second day at Thành Kim Secondary School, where Chalk Road project representative Gia Khanh presented the new “Smart Library” project to the school community. This impressive package included a 65-inch smart TV, an air conditioner, two large bookshelves, four computers, and a wide selection of both Vietnamese and English academic and fiction books. The team then carried on with captivating workshops in sports, dance, art, and drama, filling the school with joyful laughter and vibrant energy.

A highlight of Day 2 was the orientation workshop for the Grades 8 & 9 students at Thành Kim School. The Chalk Road team invited a professional Emotional and Career Counsellor to share insights that sparked discussions among the students about themselves, their dreams, and passions, helping them gain more confidence and clarity about their future paths. In addition, the team organised two activities to help these 14-15-year-old students (in Grades 8 and 9) better understand the concepts of "passion" and "dream." These activities included a drama session and creating a "Dream Tree." During the drama session, students expressed their thoughts on hypothetical job situations. Despite some initial shyness, with support from Chalk Road speakers and their classmates, they were able to showcase their budding acting skills and express their passion and dreams. In the last 15 minutes, they wrote their dreams on small pieces of paper to create the "Dream Tree," symbolising their passion to pursue their aspirations.

“What is given from the heart will find its way to reach other hearts”

Chalk Road is more than a community service project. It embodies the long-term mission of fostering sustainable and holistic education in Vietnam's mountainous regions, supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. More significantly, it is led by students, for students.

Reflecting on the experience, Judy Kang Minju, currently in Year 12 at BIS Hanoi, who participated in Chalk Road for the first time, shared, “Our trip to Thanh Hoa was truly eye-opening. Despite living in Vietnam, it was my first deep dive into its culture. The students' talents were incredible. Leading the sessions was challenging but rewarding, teaching me that connection extends beyond words—it’s in our expressions and mutual respect. The memories with the Chalk Road team will stay with me forever.”

Mr Richard Vaughan, Principal at BIS Hanoi, remarked, "I am immensely proud of our students for their dedication and continuous effort in expanding the Chalk Road project to create a positive impact on the learning experience of many more children in the mountainous provinces of Vietnam. Their hard work and compassion truly embody the core value of 'Care' in our Aide Memoire. This project not only showcases their remarkable leadership but also reaffirms the strong commitment of our school community as a whole in empowering our students to take action to make the world a better place."

Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong, Principal of Thanh Kim Secondary School, stated, "Our students have had a very meaningful exchange, bonding with the Chalk Road team, being coached with important life skills and social knowledge, and receiving career orientation mentoring. In the coming time, we are committed to leveraging these resources from the smart library and other donated resources to help students nurture their talents and prepare for their future."

This initiative demonstrates how students can take action and make meaningful positive changes in the lives of other students in their local community. As the project continues to develop, it reflects our commitment and dedication to nurturing lifelong values of learning, compassion, and creativity, ensuring that these principles leave a lasting legacy of positive change in both education and community development.