On the morning of May 21, 2025, a quiet transformation began at the Hoa Mai Orphanage Center in Đà Nẵng. With humble tools, a splash of color, and the dedication of open-hearted volunteers, the first chapter of the “The Green Home” journey came to life. It began not with fanfare, but with simple, meaningful actions: sweeping leaves, planting trees, and painting warmth onto weathered walls.

This was more than a community cleanup. It was the beginning of a shared effort to create a space where children could feel seen, safe, and inspired. It was a gentle but powerful reminder that even the smallest gestures can carry deep love.

A Place of Quiet Resilience
The Hoa Mai Orphanage, managed by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Đà Nẵng, is home to nearly 40 children between the ages of 2 and 14. Many of them have been orphaned, abandoned, or come from exceptionally difficult circumstances.

Despite these challenges, Hoa Mai is more than just a shelter. It is a place where staff members work tirelessly to preserve a sense of childhood through education, healthcare, and emotional support. Still, limited funding has made it difficult to maintain or improve the physical space. The walls have aged. The grounds have gone too long without care.

That is where “The Green Home” found its purpose: to bring new life into a place that holds so much hope.

A Canvas of Care
This first stage of the project focused on creating a cleaner, safer, and more uplifting environment for the children. Volunteers took on hands-on tasks with care and intention. They cleaned the courtyard, removed weeds, and collected waste in and around the living areas. Every action, however small, added up to something meaningful.

Greenery soon returned to the orphanage. Trees were planted to soften the landscape and offer future shade. These were chosen not just for beauty, but as a quiet way to teach children about the importance of nurturing the world around them.

One of the most touching parts of the day came when volunteers painted cheerful murals on faded walls. With themes of familiar cartoon characters, mystical skies, and illuminating stars, these images turned cold concrete into scenes of joy and imagination. The walls were no longer just barriers; they became windows into possibility.

Children watched with curiosity, and some eventually joined in. Laughter began to echo across the yard, and for a few precious hours, the orphanage felt less like an institution and more like a home filled with life and love.

More Than a Makeover
At its heart, this project was never only about aesthetics. It was about restoring a sense of dignity and belonging to children who deserve more than just the bare minimum. A freshly painted wall or a newly planted tree may seem small, but they carry an important message: you are not forgotten.

For the volunteers, the experience became a lesson in empathy and shared humanity. It was a chance to connect not only with the children, but with the deeper meaning of community. They left with more than just painted hands and tired feet: they left with the certainty that their presence had made a difference.

A Hopeful First Step
“The Green Home” is the first stage of the broader project “Clean Home, Happy Meals”, and it marks a promising beginning. It reminds us that real change starts with care, and that even modest acts, like cleaning a courtyard or coloring a wall, can open the door to a brighter, kinder world.

Most importantly, this project delivered something that many children at Hoa Mai rarely receive: the feeling of being seen, cherished, and remembered. That feeling, once planted, can grow into something lasting.

And perhaps, for a child uncertain of what the future holds, that is the greatest gift of all.