Mid-Autumn Lanterns – Gifts of Friendship

By Nguyen Thi Thuy Van – Education Project Assistant, Hien ADP Nearly 350 Co Tu ethnic minority students made 1,200 lanterns to celebrate the mid-autumn festival as part of a contest in the mountainous district of Dong Giang. The students then gave the lanterns as gifts to other disadvantaged children in their communities. Children’s club members proposed the competition to create a happy mid-autumn festival for some of the poorest children living in the target areas of World Vision’s Hien Area Development Programme (ADP). From early morning, the children aged 9 to 12 gathered excitedly at their traditional ‘guol’ houses, bringing bamboo strips, coloured paper and tinsel. Other villagers also came to see the children make the lanterns. Skilfully and creatively, the contestants made simple but unique lanterns, featuring designs such as bright five-pointed stars, carps with whisked tails, and crowing roosters. The children had learned how to make the lanterns from their teachers and parents a week before the event. The contest created a lively atmosphere for the festival for all the children in the remote area of Quang Nam province. Excitement animated every face as the children carefully made their lanterns, considered gifts of friendship. The pupils said they had not participated in such a rewarding and enjoyable event for a long time and they had had the opportunity to develop teamwork, solidarity and love for their families and fellow villagers. “I can’t wait for the festival, so I can eat cake and sweets and watch the lion dances,” said third grader Nhut. “My friends and I will have a parade with the lanterns we’ve made. We’ve got lots because we made four each – one to keep and three to give to our friends.” To date, more than one hundred ethnic minority students in grades 4 to 9 have attended 47 children’s clubs, which are organised by ten core groups of youngsters and supported by Hien ADP.