Students take cn Community Projects: Visiting Social Enterprises to solve sustainable development challenges through real-world skills

Community Service is a subject that helps students broaden their understanding of pressing social issues, such as sustainable lifestyles, social inequality, and educational access. Moving well beyond theoretical concepts, students are encouraged to step outside the classroom to independently observe, investigate root causes and impacts, and design practical projects.

As part of their first-semester community projects for the 2026–2027 academic year, Grade 10G2 and 11C1 students recently visited two local social enterprises. The field trip provided deeper insights into business models integrated with social problem-solving, serving as a foundation for students to plan and execute meaningful, effective initiatives.

At Vun Art Cooperative (Ha Dong, Hanoi), Grade 10G2 students met Mr. Le Viet Cuong, the founder of Vun Art. Having lived with a mobility disability since he was nine months old, Mr. Cuong understands firsthand the obstacles faced by people with disabilities. After years of dedication, he established Vun Art—a social enterprise model specializing in upcycling scrap silk into handcrafted artwork.

During the visit, students listened to Mr. Cuong's heartfelt story about founding this "common home" for over 50 artisans with disabilities. They toured the workshop and gained hands-on experience creating recycled crafts from leftover silk scraps under the guidance of local artisans.

Meanwhile, Grade 11C1 students embarked on a meaningful journey to Xom Gau Gau Dog Rescue Center (Phuc Thinh, Hanoi). Founded in 2022, the center has taken in over 100 abandoned dogs. Listening to founder Ms. Dam Thi Thanh Huyen, students gained a deep appreciation for the dedicated work of those advocating for vulnerable animals.

During the visit, students interacted directly with the resident four-legged friends—preparing meals, bathing them, playing with them, and learning the unique backgrounds of dogs rescued from various hardship situations. The experience reinforced a powerful lesson: every dog at the shelter has a story and deserves to be loved.

Equipped with a solid foundation from their Community Service curriculum and enriched by firsthand experience, these students are well-prepared to turn their emerging ideas into impactful, real-world projects in the near future.