Thursday, December 11, 2008
( 12:00 AM )
My apologies for this super late post. Vietnam is unforgettable! I miss Vietnam. I feel that our 9 days there, was very meaningful.
My first impression of Vietnam was the hectic traffic. The road is filled with numerous motorcycle, rather than cars. At there, we would just dash across the road, hoping that the vehicles will stop before you.
On the 2nd to 4th day, we started our real mission! We visited the school. The condition of the school was quite bad. They do not have any clean water and a proper study environment. We were divided into groups; group 1 did the white washing, while others did cementing. It was a total new experience. For the painting, we have to climb up the scaffolds to paint. The people cementing had a hard time under the hot sun.
Next, the visit to the orphanage! The kids there are really cute and fun-loving. At first, I was quite lost as I didn’t know how to start. My first attempt to approach the child failed, the child sobbed. Everybody started naming the kids. Each of us has a kid. I miss my kid! Some of them started to piggy back their kid and run around the orphanage, whereas some sat at a corner with their kids folding origami. Also, we saw the kids sleeping soundly. The sight let me wonder why would their parents bear to abandon them? Aren’t they worried?
Group 1 also spent our last day there removing and adding stuff to the library. It seems the books are left there untouched for some time. When we were to leave the orphanage on the last day, some of the kids and the students cried. It was quite difficult for us to leave as in the few days, we have bonded we the kids.
The cultural exchange at Hong Bang University. At the university, we started to mingle with the students there. The students are extremely friendly.
Lastly, the shopping was fun! We had a fun time bargaining price. From there, we could understand more about the people around us. Simin, hongyu and kahkiat have very good bargain skills. all of us bought tons of stuff.
I have benefited a lot from OCIP. This trip has taught us to treasure what we have and stop bargaining. Although there are unexpected things that happen during the trip, we make through it. Our team bond was strengthen. We learnt more about one another. I think this trip will be impossible without the 3 teachers, the exco and all of us.
To sum up, all of us have enjoyed our days there and some of us didn’t want to come back to Singapore. At there, everyday was live to the fullest. If I am given a chance again, I will surely wish to go back to Vietnam for another round of ocip!
Qianhui
