“The green land of wisdom” refers to a small green - clean - beautiful corner located on the campus of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. Up to now, most of the place has been completed. From the plant arrangement, the installation of flower trellises to chairs and tables choice, etc. all have been meticulously prepared. Talking about his expectations of the project, Dam Thuyen shared that “compared to my initial expectations, I would like to give the project 9.5/10 points. Actually, in the construction process, I came up with some new ideas. These ideas weren’t in my plan at first, so I think my current work is pretty good. However, I still want it to be further improved, so I set aside the other 0.5 points as a goal for me and others to continue striving.”

The green library project through the photographic lens

According to Thuyen, the green library project has been on the back of his mind since 6th grade - when he was still a timid and perplexed middle school student. With a passion for books at an early age, after 5 years of receiving his friends’ and teachers’ support as well as desiring more green space for building A, the dream of a “green library” has finally been realised. Perhaps, people’s health, passion for knowledge and aspirations were a magical elixir that invigorated Dam Thuyen in this project.

Nguyen Hoang Dam Thuyen - the owner of the project

If there were three words to describe his work, the owner of the “green library” would choose these traditional words:  “green - clean - beautiful”. “Green” is for the colour of fresh and cool foliages which cover the entire space. “Clean” because according to him, “this is already a green space, used for reading, so it cannot contain garbage. When visiting our library, you need to be environmentally conscious to create a fresh and pleasant atmosphere.” And finally “beautiful” - the green library is an ideal place for those who appreciate the beauty and have a special love for nature (as well as green space).

New horizons of knowledge are opened in a green - clean - beautiful space

Not only does the green library receive widespread support from the students, but it is also applauded by the teachers of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. Ms Thai Thi Thanh Hoa - a math teacher, and the homeroom teacher of grade 11 Math 1 as well, expressed her sentiment: “Regarding Nguyen Hoang Dam Thuyen’s green library project, I and other teachers in the school give it many rounds of applause! I especially think highly of his idea. This is indeed a creative, bold and humane idea of ​​a young man for his peers and school so people will be motivated to read by the open space. I’m also moved by Thuyen’s devotion to overcoming many difficulties during the pandemic and going to great lengths to finish the project as fast as possible. I think this will be a meeting place that stores many good memories of the school days and the project will encourage students’ love of reading. Hopefully, its fire will be spread so that at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, there are more green corners for reading, and more green libraries with open spaces will be installed in other schools.”

Dam Thuyen with his homeroom teacher - Ms Thai Thi Thanh Hoa

Apart from being the brainchild of Nguyen Hoang Dam Thuyen, the green library project also has an invaluable meaning for students of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in particular and the community in general. At the same time, it expresses the dream of an open, green - clean - beautiful learning space and the passion for knowledge of today’s young generation.

Reporter: Pham Khanh Ngoc - Van 2124

Photojournalist: Kieu Quang Minh - Ly 1 2023

Translator: Tran Linh Ngan - Eng 2124