Of more than 200 applicants who want to become volunteers for Education Summer Camp 2012, Water the Mind of Brighter Vietnam, 40 best candidates have soaked in the inspired and friendly atmosphere for the second selection round. Also, this air is blended with some tough ingredients because the organization committee would choose only 10 candidates who are more suitable and more superb to volunteer with Brighter Vietnam. Through four hours worked actively with six “tests”, the “warm hearts” and “green mind” had lots of opportunities to express their abilities and teamwork spirit. All of the volunteers have left a good impression in each other and to the Organization Committee. Their arguments about the “solution” to the practical problems associated with WATER, the centre point of the "WATER THE MIND" summer camp, presented many excellent ideas for upcoming programs of Brighter Vietnam on the themes of WATER and ENVIRONMENT for life.

The judges include Mrs. Le Thi Hoang Anh, Vice General Secretary of Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, Mrs. Luu Nguyen Thu Ha, Deputy Director of UNESCO Centre for International Education and Director of Brighter Vietnam, and many program staff of Brighter Vietnam.  From the first moment, the air was heated by the vibrant dance, “Follow the leader”, performed by members of organization committee and volunteers. All candidate felt that they were filled full of energy to be ready for the next tests.

The applicants were divided into 4 groups to participate in the group tests. They were extremely excited in finding ideas to build “A dream house of volunteers”. They were also eager to help each other increase knowledge and improve English when sharing the comments about clip “Green school”, which told a story of dreamt school in Bali, Indonesia. Additionally, volunteers had great debates on proposing solutions for water resources problems in Vietnam. In the individual written examination, they came up with attractive ideas for summer camp activities, expressed their point of views of social issues, and suggested to the organization committee in order to make Brighter Vietnam become more popular.

Sharing the contents of the Summer Camp, Lan Nhi, Earlham University said, “WATER is vital for life, MIND is the seed of each person. Both are important. I find it very meaningful. We begin with the awareness to change behaviors”. Ha Phuong, University of Foreign Languages added, “MIND, likes a tree having roots and leaves, cannot grow without the essential nutrient, it is WATER. By extension, it is necessary to use water effectively to foster ourselves”.

The common sense of the candidates about the interview was "It's cool and fun" - interestingly, Ha Phuong said, "When receiving notice of the interview schedule, I imagined I would meet people who are serious and likely to put questions about critical environmental problems. However, as soon as the program started, I immediately felt the friendly and pleasant atmosphere, which helped me be comfortable to express myself as well as share and discuss with other candidates." Thanh Hang, coming from Phu Tho Province, said: "That was so great interview program. Everyone got opportunity to express themselves in not only friendly and open atmosphere, but also effective and accurate spirit. I think that organization committee has actually selected a lot of good candidates."

Another candidate shared, "I’ve just come back from my study at faraway place, and did not know anyone among the candidates, but even in the first section, everyone could get close together. I did have many new wonderful friends!"

Manh Cuong could not hide his excitement when he knew there is such a significant and interesting program implemented in his hometown, "participating in the program, my dreams will come true"- said Cuong.

The desire for knowledge and further contribution to the protection of water resources of the young people has made organizers extremely impressed. "The solutions which you offered are really excellent. I promise, in the near future, Brighter Vietnam Program will attempt to develop many more similar activities for the youths"- Ms. Luu Nguyen Thu Ha shared with candidates in an activity called "Together We find solutions".

List of candidates selected will be announced within the first week of July. Soon, the volunteers will be learning about the necessary knowledge to be used in the work camp and, in collaboration with organization committee, preparing the camp activities in details as well as value-added activities for international and Vietnamese volunteers.

Written by Phuong Anh