More than just a charitable program, FPT University’s “7-Day Experience” project is a journey fueled by passionate hearts, sharing, and profound changes in the thoughts and emotions of young people.
From December 17 to 23, 50 students and staff participating in the 7-Day Experience project of FPT University embarked on a special journey called “Sowing Light, Reaping Love” in Thuong Trach Commune, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province. The 7-Day Experience is an annual program organized by the ICPDP Department (International Cooperation and Personal Development Department) with the hope of spreading positive values from the university’s students to the community, contributing to improving the lives of people in underprivileged areas.
Bringing Light and Love to Remote Villages
Located deep within the rugged mountains of Thuong Trach Commune, Niu Village and Ca Roong 2 Village are areas facing severe hardship without access to the national power grid. Residents live in darkness after nightfall, with all activities, from studying to working, relying on natural light or dim flashlight beams. Understanding this reality, the 7-Day Experience team from FPT University decided to undertake the mission of “bringing light” to Niu Village and Ca Roong 2 Village.
Installing solar-powered lights was not easy, as the students had to traverse rough roads in cold weather, carrying heavy backpacks filled with equipment. However, all the challenges melted away when the first lights were turned on, filling the villages with joy.
Ten sets of solar-powered lights were installed on the main roads of Niu Village and Ca Roong 2 Village through collaboration between FPT University students and local authorities. These lights not only illuminate pathways, making daily life more convenient for the locals, but they also symbolize a transformative change. With stable lighting, children can study, adults can work after dark, and the villagers can organize evening social activities. It is not just physical light but also a beacon of hope for a brighter future for the local community.
In addition to providing solar-powered lights, the 7-Day Experience team prepared numerous gifts for the people and children in Thuong Trach Commune. At Tan Thuong Kindergarten – Ban Ban, Tan Thuong Kindergarten – Ca Roong 2, and Bo Trach Ethnic Minority Boarding School, the FPT University students distributed 400 gift sets of candy, 150 warm jackets, and 100 school uniforms.
Furthermore, during their visits to the schools, the team organized various recreational and cultural activities. Under the flickering campfire, the evenings of interaction between FPT University members and the residents of Thuong Trach Commune became warmer, filled with handshakes and heartfelt hugs.
“Every gift we gave to Thuong Trach carries the sincere affection of each member of the 7-Day Experience team. Seeing the children smile with happiness made all the fatigue from the long journey, motion sickness, hard work, and lack of amenities feel worthwhile,” shared Doan Phuoc Truong Hai (K18 – Digital Art and Design).
Cultivating a Future Together with Thuong Trach Residents
During their stay in Thuong Trach Commune, FPT University students also worked on building a sustainable agricultural model for the villagers. The first seeds of the “Youth Vegetable Garden of FPT University” project were planted with high-quality crops. This initiative is not only a material gift but also a solution to help local residents improve their livelihoods and bring long-term stability.
The students also assisted in cleaning roads, constructing public restrooms, digging waste pits, and clearing vegetation, contributing to creating a cleaner and greener living environment for Thuong Trach Commune.
Notably, during the final days of their journey, the students visited the Truong Son Martyrs Memorial – Route 20 Quyet Thang. Here, FPT University members offered incense in deep gratitude to the silent sacrifices of heroic martyrs. The trip also provided an opportunity to meet soldiers at the Ca Roong Border Guard Station. Fifty red flags with yellow stars were personally handed to the soldiers by university staff as a gesture of appreciation and encouragement to those tirelessly guarding the nation’s borders.
Looking back on the 7-Day Experience in Thuong Trach, many FPT University students affirmed that the trip helped them grow. “It was growth in mindset, perspective on life, and in the heart,” Nguyen Hoang Mai Anh (K20 – Multimedia Communications) emotionally reflected. She added, “This was my first university trip, and it’s undoubtedly an unforgettable memory. I’ve learned that it’s not just about giving but about giving in the right way so that sharing truly creates value. These 7 days in Thuong Trach were 7 days of living differently, learning, and experiencing so much.”
The 7-Day Experience journey, “Sowing Light – Reaping Love,” not only brought positive changes to the residents of Thuong Trach Commune (Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province) but also left a profound impact on the students. Every glance, smile, and heartfelt thank-you from the villagers serves as motivation for FPT University’s charitable journeys to continue, reaching remote villages with light, love, and sharing.