Global volunteering day
Last Saturday “Volunteers for Peace Vietnam” (VPV), whom I am privileged to number among, hosted the “Global Volunteering Day 2016”, together with other institutions.
More than 20 countries and numerous organizations each prepared booths, where games and samples of local specialties were offered.
Interest exceeded all expectations – all afternoon, young Vietnamese kept streaming into the halls, and a varied stage program made for an excellent general mood.
Around 4,400 (!!) Facebook users had been following the event in advance, and the organizers estimate that around 1,000 (!!) visitors ultimately appeared.
After a gentle reminder via E-mail, the Austrian Embassy in Hanoi provided a Dirndl for decoration, along with some promotional material. With a Liptauer “Vietnam-style”, visitors were also treated to culinary delights.
The event was dedicated to understanding among nations, language barriers receeded into the background, shared enthusiasm predominated.
The hours flew by, and soon samples and giveaways grew scarce with all booths – including the Austrian – but the joy of both volunteers and visitors was not tarnished. With Vietnamese songs and English choruses and a get-together of everybody on stage, this very successful afternoon faded out.
Those who were privileged to participate in this event, came really close to the idea of a friendly and unprejudiced coexistence of people from different countries and cultures, at least for one afternoon here in Hanoi…
Translation from German: Serena Nebo
