ALASKA ACADEMY: WHEN LOVE HEALS PAST WOUNDS

Closing out sunny September, Alaskids in Grades 6 and 7 enjoyed a truly meaningful field trip surrounded by lush nature: visiting and experiencing Tam Dao National Park and the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre.

What was so remarkable and deeply touching about the Tam Dao Bear Rescue Centre was how it transformed abstract conservation lessons into deeply moving stories. Here, over 150 bears are not just referred to as “bears”—each one has a endearing name of its own, such as Chôm Chôm, Tí Mập, Layla, Ben, Dave…

Far removed from a painful past of confinement in cramped iron cages for bile extraction, these bears are now experiencing a miraculous “rebirth” in semi-wild sanctuaries, thanks to the boundless love and dedication of more than 80 caregivers and staff members.

A profound lesson in animal love quietly blossomed within each student as they witnessed the staff attentively preparing meals for the bears, and watched the bears roaming freely in a safe sanctuary—where past suffering has been left behind forever.

Beyond the bear rescue stories, the trip also opened up the wonders of Tam Dao National Park’s rich ecosystem through engaging activities:

Visiting the Natural History Museum and admiring vibrant butterfly specimens.

Learning about the rare Tam Dao Salamander—a celebrated symbol of the National Park.

Hand-planting local rhododendron shrubs—the strikingly beautiful native flower of these mountains.

Leaving Tam Dao, the memories Alaskids carried home extended far beyond rich knowledge of Biology and Geography, or the excitement of wading through streams and breathing in the fresh mountain air… Deep down, seeds of empathy had been planted.

From this journey, Alaskids realized that protecting nature and the environment is not a distant slogan—it begins with sincere compassion in our hearts, guiding us toward a kinder, more humane, and responsible lifestyle!