From sprouts of peace…

The green sprouts in Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park have been growing thanks to the efforts of groups and people who value peace, creating a serene and lovely area in the middle of the busy city. Each tree in the park tells a lovely tale of friendship.

US Under Secretary of State Denise Jenkins (C), Deputy Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee Hoang Nam (L) plant trees at Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park.

“Green lung” in the city

In the context of urbanization in Dong Ha City, there are still peaceful and green spaces. Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park is like a clear musical note that makes anyone visiting must also flutter. People often call this park the “green lung” of the city.

Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park becomes a favorite destination for visitors.

Located in Quarter 7, Ward 3, Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park has rows of trees reaching high in the sun, with many species of trees in sight from the asphalt road to the park, such as Chukrasia tabularis, Madhuca Pasquieri, Vatica odorata, Sindora tonkinensis, among others. The beautiful and peaceful scenery in the park has attracted many young people to take pictures and organize fun activities, picnics, etc. In the Summer, city children are brought to the park to immerse themselves in nature.

Ms. Pham Hoang Ha, In-Country Director for PeaceTrees Vietnam, shares about locals’ awareness of protecting the park.

Every time enjoying that scene, Ms. Pham Hoang Ha, In-Country Director for PeaceTrees Vietnam, is heartwarming. She still remembers the first day she arrived at the organization“s headquarters to receive the assignment. Before that, when she was an intern at the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Quang Binh People”s Committee, Ha was interested in the activities of foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Quang Tri, especially PeaceTrees. Since then, she has dreamed of returning to dedicating herself to her homeland and working in an environment where many people are enthusiastic, talented, and dynamic. True to her will, in 2001, Hoang Ha worked for PeaceTrees Vietnam as an employee supporting landmine victims. “On my first day at work, I noticed that the trees along the road to the office made life seem more beautiful. They are as tall as adults and resemble young men eager to start their lives.”

Numerous individuals picture the mature trees at Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park when they think of a talented and enthusiastic director. One of her joys, she revealed, is watching the park“s trees continue to thrive. She is pleased that neighbors understand how crucial it is to preserve the park because it serves as the urban environment”s lungs.

Destination of peace-loving hearts

First green sprouts raised by peace-loving individuals thanks to efforts of PeaceTrees Vietnam

Every green space in Dong Ha City is associated with a beautiful story. So far, local people still refer to the beautiful memories of the 1980s. From the province’s plan, many forestry workers and students in Dong Ha have planted oil palm trees, greening the bare hills after the war. The drops of sweat that day brought an ideal and poetic space. Unlike oil palm forest, Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park was formed from the idea of a foreign NGO. Here, the first green trees were planted by international friends.

Established in 1995, PeaceTrees Vietnam is the organization that laid the foundation for Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park. Additionally, this is the first US non-governmental organization to be granted permission by the Vietnamese government to work in finding and disabling explosives and mines. Few people know that most of the experts assigned to this project are US veterans who once transported weapons to Vietnam. They returned with a desire to make amends and mend the damage caused by the war. Later, they gave technical training and equipment to PeaceTrees Vietnam.

At the headquarters of PeaceTrees Vietnam, photos of the first tree-planting ceremony at Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park are displayed. In November 1996, a group of 42 volunteers came to Quang Tri, including veterans, veterans’ families, and peace-loving people from the United States and many countries. They send messages of peace and friendship. Shortly after that meaningful event, PeaceTrees Vietnam received material and spiritual help from other non-governmental organizations such as Oxfam, CRS, etc. All of them hope that Quang Tri will soon no longer hide the danger of landmines.

Peace-loving people join tree planting in Quang Tri

It’s been 26 years since the trees were grown to build Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park. For years, the number of domestic and international organizations and individuals, especially those from the United States, coming to the park has been increasing day by day. Most recently, US Under Secretary of State Bonnie Denise Jenkins visited and planted trees at the park. She shared her wish that this organization would continue its noble mission. “Peace is like green sprouts. We must nurture it,” Ms. Jenkins said.

Each tree brings a story

Ms. Jerilyn Brusseau, founder of PeaceTrees Vietnam

Talking about Dong Ha Friendship Forestry Park, it is impossible not to mention Ms. Jerilyn Brusseau, founder of PeaceTrees Vietnam. Ms. Jerilyn has been the incubator and nurturer for the organization"s development for the past 27 years. Few people know that her brother Daniel, a US army pilot, breathed his last in Long An during the US War in Vietnam. Her mother, Rae Cheney, still carried that pain in her face and gait years later. Ms. Jerilyn Brusseau and her husband wanted to create a bridge so American and Vietnamese citizens, particularly mothers who shared the pain of losing loved ones, could meet. They put a lot of effort into making their wish come true. One of the very first people to cross the span was Rae Cheney.

Their wish was eventually granted after much effort. Rae Cheney was one of the first to cross the span. “At the age of 90, my mother went to Vietnam for the first time. She passed away with relief after reaching the nation where her son rests,” said Jerilyn Brusseau.

Clearance of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) by PeaceTrees Vietnam

Over the years, PeaceTrees Vietnam has welcomed many delegations to Quang Tri. As always, one of their indispensable “rituals” is planting trees. Many US veterans, relatives of soldiers who died in the war, and peace-loving individuals have told their stories through friendship tree-planting activities. The common theme throughout their tales is “Let’s close the past and look forward to a better future.”

PeaceTrees Vietnam has conducted a series of helpful activities

Visiting the headquarters of PeaceTrees Vietnam on a cold winter day, everyone was warmed to hear Pham Hoang Ha share about the organization’s mission and vision. PeaceTrees Vietnam is now the place where more than 200 people call their common home. This organization assists Quang Tri in a variety of ways, including mine avoidance education, assistance for mine victims, community development, and the provision of credit loans, in addition to clearing mines and explosives. The operations of PeaceTrees Vietnam have expanded to Quang Binh and will do so in the future. As the project progresses, more peace-loving groups and people will undoubtedly plant green sprouts on land that was once tainted with landmines, promising to build new friendship parks.

Truong Quang Hiep – LINH PHAM

3:21:12:2022:17:35 GMT+7