Friday, December 5, 2008
( 11:03 PM )
Finally adjusted back to Singapore daily schedule, Vietnam was just so fun and every moment we spent there will be remembered for the rest of my life.
First thing I noticed over in Vietnam is cleanliness for sure. Singapore is simply clean; Vietnam’s streets are covered with all sorts of rubbish. Secondly, the traffic congestion in Vietnam is caused by MOTORCYCLES and SCOOTERS, and seriously patience is needed because all we can do is to trust our drivers. Actually, I feel that Vietnamese food is all right, just that there are too many seafood dishes so more meat will be better (:
CIP at the school allowed to realize that the education environment we have in IJC and our respective primary school and secondary school is way better then what the Vietnamese students have. Imagine that you need to study in dust and spider webs filled classroom, with no computers for you to do research and a field for the students to play right outside the classrooms, distracting you. I certainly would not be able to study under these kinds of conditions. I am also glad that we cooperated well with one another and we managed to complete our tasks in the school on time. Although it was “WORK”, I believe every one of us have fun. Singing and soccer was the most memorable events that happened during the CIP in the school. However, being able to see our efforts play off during our last visit to the school is heart-warming. The school looks cleaner with the teachers and students looking appreciative, everyone was glad and none of us will regret helping them.
Orphanage was next. The kids were absolutely gorgeous. They look so innocent and cute. They are friendly too and seriously they lack playing partners. Their faces was filled with joy when we piggy-back them, carry them around and give them sweets. Such simple actions managed to bring a smile onto their innocent face. Their life is so simple and they do not request much. Furthermore, the kids know what appreciation is. Taking care of them is not a chore for us but a blessing. Any projects to return to orphanage to take care of the kids, I will be most willing. Everyone did a great job in taking care of the kids. None of us push the kids away or what so ever, we were on the other hand, snatching each other kids, so that shows how happy and enthusiastic we were.
Hong Bang University was an unexpected experience for me. I did not expect a university to be so small? Or I should say the standard is quite far from the image of a university in my mind. However, the students were friendly and they tried their best to communicate with us. Each of us certainly made new Vietnamese friends in the university although the trip was quite short.
Lastly is the trip to Chu Chu Tunnels. The pain the soldiers suffered during the war can be observed during this trip. The tunnels are like so small and narrow, with the need to bend down every moment. The weapons and bobby traps were the MAIN ATTRACTION I should say. Mans are “creative” to come up with such cruel way of killing people. After the trip to the tunnels, I have a wish “WORLD PEACE”.
I absolutely miss the kids in the orphanage. I will go back if I have the money and time in the future. OCIP really caused me to mature and appreciate everything I have.
Kah Kiat (593 Words)
