Chia Hui's Reflections - I serve you in order that I may learn from you
Should I join Ecoventure? but it clashes with my internship...
That's 2 whole weeks of community service in Vietnam, can I overcome it?.........
Yes!! I would have regretted it if I didn't go for the interview. It is indeed the most meaningful trip I have ever joined! I love Gia Bac, love the kids, love my teammates, love the Vietnamese volunteers, and love to be part of u all ^^
Here are my thoughts and what I've learnt:
The weekly presentations for eco-forum, the planning and rehearsals for teaching and cultural performance - undoubtedly, Team Ecoventure had put in a lot of effort in the planning of our trip - kudos to everyone! However, without the help of our overseas host community, our OCIP would not have progressed smoothly.
That's 2 whole weeks of community service in Vietnam, can I overcome it?.........
Yes!! I would have regretted it if I didn't go for the interview. It is indeed the most meaningful trip I have ever joined! I love Gia Bac, love the kids, love my teammates, love the Vietnamese volunteers, and love to be part of u all ^^
Here are my thoughts and what I've learnt:
The weekly presentations for eco-forum, the planning and rehearsals for teaching and cultural performance - undoubtedly, Team Ecoventure had put in a lot of effort in the planning of our trip - kudos to everyone! However, without the help of our overseas host community, our OCIP would not have progressed smoothly.
We were blessed
I must say that they had indeed contributed more than we did - from the messy ordering for our food preference, to the preparation of all the daily necessities. We were like a bunch of oversea tourists, going there just to experience and contribute ideas in english teaching, yet being well-served by our host community - Eco Vietnam Group.
Always going the extra mile
While we were following our duty roster to take turns doing housekeeping, they actually helped us out every day voluntarily! For example, when those who were on duty as housekeepers didn't have to go for FLITCH project, it was actually the Vietnamese who helped with the cooking lady the most, helped us washed our dishes every day, and yet still accompanied us to the weeding area. Amazing, huh?
Not only that, after our 2-weeks project ended officially, they were still willing to spend their time (and money) to entertain us when more than half of us had left Vietnam. They had been contributing silently without complaint (wonder how they did this!).
In addition, even when they felt sleepy and while we were still having discussion till late night (10pm), they would sit outside the room patiently - sometimes reading their examination notes, sometimes playing around with their laptop. They waited patiently for our meeting to end, without any complains at all!
Always going the extra mile
While we were following our duty roster to take turns doing housekeeping, they actually helped us out every day voluntarily! For example, when those who were on duty as housekeepers didn't have to go for FLITCH project, it was actually the Vietnamese who helped with the cooking lady the most, helped us washed our dishes every day, and yet still accompanied us to the weeding area. Amazing, huh?
Not only that, after our 2-weeks project ended officially, they were still willing to spend their time (and money) to entertain us when more than half of us had left Vietnam. They had been contributing silently without complaint (wonder how they did this!).
In addition, even when they felt sleepy and while we were still having discussion till late night (10pm), they would sit outside the room patiently - sometimes reading their examination notes, sometimes playing around with their laptop. They waited patiently for our meeting to end, without any complains at all!
I serve you in order that I may learn from you
Compared to them, my servicing efforts are much minial than them. Instead of just learning through my teaching and planting experience in Vietnam, I have also learned a lot from the Vietnamese friends. Their servicing spirit and their way of handling difficulties are what I admire and wanting to learn the most in this trip. Servicing is not just putting in your 100%, it's your 200%!
Cheers,
Chia Hui =)
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