A charity program, named ““Swap books for trees” by the charity group Fly To Sky (Member of the National Volunteer Network, under the Central Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City) is being held at Doi Duong Park (Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province).
Exchanging used books and items for trees helps poor students and protects the environment
The program was initiated in 2019 and continues to be maintained to this day. In 2024, this program starts from May 11 to July 28 with over 30 exchange points in 7 provinces and cities, including: Binh Thuan, Gia Lai, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Can Tho, Da Nang, Lam Dong. In Binh Thuan, the charity group Fly To Sky cooperated with the Youth Union - Youth Union of Phan Thiet City to choose Doi Duong Park as the 27th exchange point of the program and the only point in the province.
The program is held on Saturdays and Sundays (lasting 12 weeks); in the morning - from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., in the afternoon - from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
At the end of the first week, at the 27th exchange point (Phan Thiet City), there were nearly 100 lotus trees; over 110 organic straws; 59 eco-friendly bags… exchanged for participants to collect nearly 155 kg of textbooks, reference books, scrap paper; 145 student bags, new notebooks, school supplies; 659 teddy bears, toys, old clothes; 136 cans, plastic bottles, and 348 used batteries.
After the program ends, the organizing committee will classify the revenue source and recycle according to the process; at the same time, use the books, clothes collected to organize activities to give to disadvantaged children in Phan Thiet City and remote, difficult, border areas.
This program has attracted the participation of many people, especially young people. Many people have brought old and new books, scrap paper; in addition, there are clothes, toys, old teddy bears, student bags, school supplies, used batteries, cans, plastic products to exchange for the products of the organizing committee. Depending on the number of books brought, the exchanger receives a corresponding number of lotus trees and environmentally friendly products.”
Translated by My Thien