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

Two days of building lasting connections and personal growth

The team arrived at Thanh Kim Primary School on August 9th, greeted by almost 800 students and teachers with enthusiasm. The day started with the team preparing for interactive workshops and getting to know the students there. The atmosphere was full of excitement as Chalk Road volunteers conducted workshops in art, dance, drama, and sports. The students' vibrant creativity and eagerness were evident in every activity. A significant moment was the donation of educational resources worth 90 million dong, including three smart TVs, two laptops, sports equipment, art supplies, and books — a valuable addition to the school’s resources.

The excitement continued on the second day at Thanh 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 Thanh 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 trip, Gia Khanh acknowledged that it was quite ambitious to manage the activities for 700 primary students on the first day and then the same number of secondary students on the second day with only a team of 23 volunteers. "Yet, it was heartwarming how we quickly blended into the sea of children, teeming with enthusiasm in the summer heat. Every day ended with a routine, where we gathered for a team reflection session: sweat-soaked and hoarse-voiced, we shared our raw emotions, and the obstacles we faced and discussed how to improve them. The most memorable moments were when we realised how much we learned from one another: from problem-solving in stressful conditions to learning to deeply reflect and to truly empathise," she said.

Judy Kang Minju, currently in Year 12 at BIS Hanoi, participated in Chalk Road for the first time and expressed that this trip was truly eye-opening for her. "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,” she shared.

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."

"In the coming months, we plan to organise a one-day return trip to Thanh Hoa and support students at Dieu Luong Secondary School in Phu Tho with books and computers. We are also committed to offering enrichment opportunities to help develop young talents in both provinces Thanh Hoa and Phu Tho by providing scholarships for various camps, workshops and competitions in Hanoi," Gia Khanh added. "Chalk Road has never been an opportunity that is within our comfort zone, but every single trip is a precious opportunity to see how much we can improve and also see how far our boundaries can go."

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.