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EZIT SOLUTIONS NEWS AND EVENTS

2008 Mid-Autumn Festival

Every year on the fifteenth day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is at its maximum brightness in the entire year, Vietnamese celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival. This is one of the most ancient festivals that revolve around children.It is said that originally, Vietnamese parents tried to make up for the lost time during the harvest with their children. The harvest was done by August in the lunar calendar and the parents were anxious to spend time with their children and do something special with them after spending much time working hard and away from the family. They celebrates Tết Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) to show their love for their children, and to show their happiness for a successful harvest as well. The festival was held under the full moon, which represents fullness and prosperity of life. There are several ancient folklores about Tet Trung Thu which are told to the children by their parents on this occasion.

The festival is much like a combination of Thanksgiving and Halloween in the US. Many activities take place on Tết Trung Thu. Children gather together, parade and singing on the streets with colorful lanterns in hands. Some of the popular shapes of lantern include fishes, stars, butterflies, and spinning lanterns, all are lighted by candles. Dances are also traditional, including are Dragon dance, Flower dance and the famous Unicorn (or Lion) dance. It is customary to treat Bánh Trung Thu (Moon cake) on this occasion. These traditional cakes are very rich in taste, filled with many flavors: lotus seeds, bean seeds, egg yolks. Tết Trung Thu is quite a great time for family and especially for children. Vietnamese children really expect this festival each year.

Hence, as Vietnamese adults, we all want to bring happiness to our children, especially to poor children in remote areas where people minds are usually occupied by money worry. They think about food for living rather than entertainment for relaxing.

According to the purpose, on Saturday of September 13, 2008 (August 14, 2008 lunar year), a group of 50 volunteers, on behalf of EZIT Solutions and Ước Mơ Xanh (Green Dream- a social work group), went to Hiếu Liêm commune, Tân Uyên district, Bình Dương province by motorbikes in order to celebrate Tết Trung Thu for more than 200 children there. We brought a lot of confectionery, gifts and wishes that Hiếu Liêm children would have a memorial Tết Trung Thu.

Hiếu Liêm commune is about 70kms far from Ho Chi Minh City. This is a new residential quarter established in 2005 with an area about 4.726 hectares and population about 2.500 people. Agriculture plays the main role in the economy of the area. There is only one elementary school (grades 1-5) for children. For secondary and primary school, students have to cycle more than 10kms far away out of the area for school (bicycle is the main transport of students here). Although the main road lead to the village was asphalted and mainly completed but the wide river separate the village with other parts is still a problem. The bridge is under construction and shows no sign of completion. If we want to get to the place, we had to across the river by "having-fun-with-the Reaper" ferry which is made by two boats and a wooden flat surface nailed on them. Each times the ferry could carry a maximum of 20 persons and ten motorbikes across the river. That was a unique ferry I've ever seen.

The village is completely poor and thinly populated, however, the atmosphere here is quiet wonderful. It is cool and full of fresh air, not many vehicles, no noise, no dust and no smoke. Hiếu Liêm is enclosed by green-belt with immense rubber forest, cassava (tropical plant with starchy roots used as food) and corn fields. Feels like an unexplored land.

We did have a very busy day and night with full of activities such as: harvested corn, prepared gifts and games, collected natural material (banana flowers, corn silk, etc.) for lunch, paraded lantern with children and played games with them.

The night was animate with the children's shows. Hiếu Liêm children surprised us with a very professional fashion show and singing turns. They acted as they are maturity models and singers. We finally had to close the night with ritual of awarding rewards for poor children with high study results – let try your best for your light futures, our dear children!

The social activities as the Mid-Autumn Festival helps EZIT members to open up their souls, to bring the joyfulness to everybody who needs care and encouragement overcoming difficulties in life, and create solidarity among EZIT members. We show our thanks to all EZIT Solutions members and Green Dream group for your contributions in cash and kind to the charity.

Hope that we can do more for our social. All contribution, however small, will be greatly appreciated.