Every Dream of Mountain Children is a Bright Flame for The Future
We light up the dreams of simple mountain children, so each child can climb higher, and learn to fly
Why We Exist
“Mountain children don’t just need schools; they need opportunities to dream and dare to dream. Lighting Up Dreams was born to help those dreams take flight — through love, support, and real action.”
Click here to learn about the founder’s story →
The Journey
The First Connection
When no-one believed we could dream.
Planting Seeds of Love
We start with a smile, a hug, a small cake.
Sowing Seeds of Imagination
If I had a magic wand, I would...
Bringing Mountain Children Closer to the World - Igniting Their First Dreams
WHEN NO ONE BELIEVED WE COULD DREAM
In a quiet mountain village in central Vietnam, the days begin before the sun rises.
Two young girls, no more than nine years old, walk the red dirt road home, their small frames almost lost beneath heavy bundles of dried corn stalks. The dust swirls at their feet, sunlight filtering through the trees, but their eyes are fixed ahead — steady, unflinching.
They carry more than firewood. They carry the weight of a life where dreams often seem too far away to touch.
Yet somewhere, beyond the mountains, beyond the fields, possibility waits.
This is where our story begins.
WE START WITH A SMILE, A HUG, A SMALL CAKE
n the same mountain village, the light begins to change. The red dust glows in the warmth of the setting sun.
A volunteer kneels, holding out a small sweet cake crowned with a single flickering candle. The child’s hands hesitate, then reach forward — fingers brushing, a shy smile breaking across their face.
In that moment, the weight of the day feels lighter. The candle’s glow dances in their eyes, and the air fills with quiet laughter.
A simple cake becomes a doorway, and the first steps of the dream lighting journey begin — not with grand gestures, but with kindness, warmth, and the belief that even the smallest acts can spark something bigger.
IF I HAD A MAGIC WAND…
In a small courtyard classroom, the air hums with possibility.
Children sit cross-legged on the cool floor, crayons scattered like jewels between them. One sketches a castle in the clouds; another wears a paper crown, standing tall as a princess.
Across the room, a boy listens intently as a volunteer wraps a toy stethoscope around his neck, declaring him the village doctor.
The afternoon light spills through the open windows, wrapping every moment in gold. Laughter bubbles softly, and eyes shine with that quiet, electric spark that comes when the impossible suddenly feels close enough to touch.
Here, no one says “you can’t.” Here, imagination is not only allowed — it’s encouraged, nurtured, and set free.
THE FIRST TIME SEEING THE CITY
The bus doors open to a world that feels like another planet. A child steps out, neck craning toward towers of glass and steel, eyes wide as the hum of traffic and glowing streetlights wrap around them.
In the hotel lobby, they press a glowing elevator button, their reflection staring back from mirrored walls. The floor shifts beneath their feet as the lift rises, and a quiet gasp escapes.
From the high floors, the city stretches endlessly — rivers of light, moving cars like tiny fireflies. Even the simple turn of a faucet, the sparkle of tiled walls, feels like a small miracle.
In these moments, dreams take on new shapes. The imagined becomes real, and the horizon grows farther, brighter, and full of possibility.
YOU CAN HELP THE NEXT DREAM BEGIN
In the soft light of late afternoon, a hand reaches forward — not to take, but to give. A small gift, a folded note, a few gentle words.
The child looks up, eyes meeting eyes, the moment suspended between gratitude and hope. Fingers curl together, bridging worlds with something as simple as touch.
You may never know where this gift will carry them, or how far the spark will travel. But here, in this quiet exchange, the next dream begins — just as someone once helped yours.
Be the reason a child believes tomorrow can be different.
Meet the Team
We’re a small, passionate team dedicated to brightening the futures of mountain children in central Vietnam.
Combining leadership, operations, and technical expertise, we create programs that inspire learning, creativity, and hope.
Working closely with local communities and sponsors, we turn small acts of support into meaningful experiences that spark imagination and confidence in every child.
Thao Thai
Founder and Project Manager
I set the vision and guide the strategic direction of our programs for mountain children in central Vietnam.
I build relationships with local communities, work closely with sponsors to secure support, design initiatives that spark learning and creativity, and ensure our projects create meaningful, lasting impact beyond daily operations.
Mark Pellegrini
Operations Coordinator
I coordinate the project's operations that bring hope, education, and opportunities to mountain children in central Vietnam.
I manage events, logistics, and partnerships with local communities, ensuring every initiative is delivered efficiently and transparently to help empower remote communities and brighten children’s futures.
Steve Hodgson
Technical Lead
I manage all the technology that supports our project, from website development, and digital tools, to AI workflows, and online donation systems.
I ensure our technical platforms run smoothly, enabling the team to focus on creating meaningful experiences for mountain children in central Vietnam.
Impact Snapshot
Children Whose Dreams Have Been Lit
Annual Mountain Trips
Volunteers Supporting Us
Our Partners
we put business sponsors, and private sponsor details here.
From our Village Communities
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Avrielle A.
Yoga Course Student
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Robin S.
Holistic Cooking Student
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Janet J.
Zen Retreat Attendee
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Leah S.
Holistic Cooking Student
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Lighting Up Dreams?
Lighting Up Dreams is a heart-centered initiative aimed at empowering mountain children—particularly from rural regions in central Vietnam—by inspiring their imaginations and opening pathways to a brighter future. Through small acts of kindness like sharing a smile, giving a sweet cake, or offering a hug, the project helps ignite dreams that rise beyond everyday hardships.
2. Why does Lighting Up Dreams exist?
The project was born from the belief that children in remote mountain communities often lack opportunities to imagine beyond their immediate surroundings. Lighting Up Dreams exists to give these children moments of wonder—where dreams begin—not through grand gestures, but through love, empathy, and real-world support.
3. What do the “dream lighting” moments look like?
These moments are small but powerful: a volunteer offering a small sweet cake crowned with a flickering candle, children hearing stories of the city for the first time, or seeing the glow of streetlights in a hotel lobby. Each moment opens the door for imagination and possibility.
4. How can I help lighting up the next dream?
You can spark a dream simply by extending a gesture of kindness—sharing a gift, sending encouraging words, or making a donation. The website emphasizes: “Be the reason a child believes tomorrow can be different.”
5. What is the 'Impact Snapshot'?
The Impact Snapshot section shares visual metrics (currently set to zero in placeholder form) regarding
children whose dreams have been lit, annual mountain trips, and volunteers supporting the cause
These indicators offer a high-level view of the initiative’s reach and will be updated as the project grows.
6. Who supports Lighting Up Dreams?
The project operates thanks to your donations, as well as by collaborations with business sponsors and private supporters—though specific partners aren’t publicly listed yet, the site invites interested parties to “Collaborate With Us.”
7. How can someone learn more about the founder’s story?
The website features an “About” page with a link to dive into the founder’s journey—detailing why and how Lighting Up Dreams came to be. Visitors can explore the founder’s personal narrative by following the “learn about the founder".
8. How can I get in touch or get involved?
The site navigation includes a “Join Us” and a “Contact” page, providing direct ways to participate—whether by volunteering, contributing, or simply reaching out to learn more.
9. Is the website still under construction?
Partly — the website is evolving and has not been published for general release as yet, but will be soon.
© 2025 Lighting Up Dreams - All Rights Reserved.
