Spreading the spirit of sharing through Library of Love

In schools where resources remain limited and a single book can still feel like a luxury, BUV students chose to begin with something simple yet meaningful: filling empty shelves with opportunity. Through Library of Love, a project led by BUV Student Life in collaboration with students, the message “Gather Love – Inspire Dreams” has been translated from words into purposeful action.

From a volunteering idea to a comprehensive initiative

Launched in July 2025, Library of Love was developed as a carefully planned community initiative. The project focused on building and upgrading the library at Tuan Dao Primary & Secondary School in Phu Tho Province, which serves more than 800 students, around 30% of whom come from disadvantaged households.

The project unfolded in three phases. The first phase centred on a community book drive to encourage donations of age-appropriate titles for primary and lower secondary students. All books were carefully reviewed to ensure they were relevant, practical and suitable for long-term use.

The second phase expanded fundraising efforts to upgrade facilities, provide additional equipment and widen engagement among students and partners.

The final phase focused on completing and enhancing the library space at the school, diversifying learning materials and gradually working towards a digital library model where possible.

The impact is reflected in tangible outcomes. The total support value reached VND 105,000,000, including four computer sets, eight sets of desks and chairs, nearly 400 book titles – ranging from textbooks for Grades 1–9 to reference materials, life skills books and children’s literature – along with 130 gift packages, including 10 Tet gifts for students facing particularly difficult circumstances. Each contribution was designed to directly improve students’ daily learning conditions.

Meaningful community work requires more than good intentions. It demands clear objectives, transparent processes and measurable outcomes. When guided by responsibility and structure, volunteering becomes more than a moment of generosity – it becomes a sustainable model for impact.

And when responsibility is embedded from the start, the value created continues long after the visit ends.

Gather Love – Inspire Dreams

Beyond the numbers, what remains most powerful are the moments of connection between BUV students and the children they met.

Rahel Karunaratne, a first-year BUV student, admitted that before joining the project, he saw himself simply as a volunteer helping with logistics. However, after visiting the school and witnessing the direct impact of the initiative, his perspective shifted.

“After the project, I realised we had made a genuine difference. The books, computers and learning resources we provided can help the students perform better academically and gain access to knowledge beyond their small village.”

What stayed with him most was the warmth of the teachers and pupils. From the vibrant morning assembly prepared in welcome, to the thoughtfully arranged meal and heartfelt conversations, the hospitality left a lasting impression. For Rahel, this mutual exchange of care truly reflected the spirit of the Library of Love, where giving is not one-sided, but shared.

Volunteering alone cannot transform circumstances overnight. Yet when learning environments are improved and education continues beyond the day of donation, quiet progress begins to take shape.

“Library of Love reflects the qualities we consistently encourage in our students: initiative, responsibility and a commitment to creating positive impact. The project goes beyond fundraising or constructing a library. It is a process in which students design, organise and deliver an initiative that creates tangible outcomes,” a BUV representative shared.

It highlights their leadership, collaboration and, above all, empathy. The impact lies not only in the improved learning environment for students in mountainous areas, but also in how our students learn to take ownership and create meaningful change through action.

“Gather Love – Inspire Dreams” is therefore not only a message for the children at the school. It also marks a journey of growth for BUV students themselves – learning to turn empathy into action, and action into lasting impact.