Yes, yes I said post by tonight so I shall 以身作则 and blog my also. If I did not guess wrongly you are Pin Qi, right roommate? Tell me if I am wrong.
I must admit that our teachers have done a very great job before the trip in getting the entire team prepared to learn something out from the trip. We were being put into many discussions during pre-trip meetings to discuss on our main purpose for the trip and also not to mention service-learning was one of the hottest debate that our team had.
After several discussions and reflections, I feel that my opinion of service-learning is that it is a form of experiential learning through community service from which we can learn and grow from important educational experience that will contribute to our personal discovery and development. As we are involved in meeting real community needs, community services provides a rich learning environment for us as experiential learning facilitation methods are used to draw out the learning points for us. Although based on the actual evaluation of the trip that I have been through, my stand would be (s, L). Personally, I feel that service-learning places equal emphasis on service and learning. Learning enhances service, service enhances leaning, and we cannot deny the fact that it is a self-perpetuating cycle. Thus, my opinion of (S, L) will still stand even if asked about both importances again.
I feel that the process of thinking and learning have been put in place very well by the teachers for the team as all of us were very comfortable in sharing our thoughts throughout the trip since we dared to voice out our opinions as and when we do not agree to certain issues discussed. Through all these discussions that we had from the start to the end of the trip, it have definitely made us open up our thoughts and give more in depth thinking about the things that we went through.
Next, although many disliked the idea of doing a photo essay suggested initially because is like another dreadful PW, after all grumbling, all of us still work hard to complete it and eventually we began to love it as we get involved with the task at hand. It is not as bad as we have thought; in fact it is much more interesting than PW. With all the efforts put in by all members to contribute to the project, I am very proud to say that we have successfully completed the photo essays and it was very well done for all groups.
This is the 2nd overseas service trip that I have been to, but this is the first that I have diligently written down my reflections for every day that I have experienced in the country. I felt that by doing so, I could recall back most of the things which happened during the trip when I read through my reflection (which is something I enjoy doing) even though the trip might have passed for a long time.
I strongly feel that this trip has really made me appreciate my present life even more and it also taught me to be contented with what I am having now. Although, many of us shared our experiences on the supposedly tough road that we have been through during in our life, I think probably some of our life journey may not seem to be as tough as the children in Yunnan. Many of us are definitely much fortunate as compared to the kids in Yunnan. They live with the simplest life that we can ever imagine it to be.
We went to four primary schools, namely Wan Lv Qing Primary, Yang Liu Primary, Lu Chong Primary and Xiao Jie. Through our interactions with the kids in the first primary school, Wan Lv Qing Primary, we realized that many do not have electricity at home and are forced to study in the dark or used light from the moon if there is a need to do so. However, despite the many difficulties that they may face during studying, nothing stopped their enthusiasm to learn more things from books. Many would go to school willingly as early as 6am in the morning to practice self-study in school since that is the only place where they have excess to electricity. Secondly, many of the students in this primary school told us that they stay very far from school. Many of them have to run for as long as 1 entire hour up and down mountains in order to reach school in time for their self-study lessons since they do not have accessible public transport like we do in Singapore. In Singapore, we complain for having to wake up early to take the bus for about an hour to reach school, however these kids who run for 2 hours every day to reach school did not make any complain at all. These kids have really earned my true respect and admiration for them and I would really hope to learn from them.
Another new thing that I have experienced in this school is going up to the mountain to chop firewood. Having lived I an urban city for the past 17 years, all I have to do is turn the notch on the cooking stove and I will have my fire blazing hot in front of me. However, things were different when we were over at China. We had to start our own fire to cook every meal by burning more and more firewood. And on this special day, 15 Nov 2007 (Thursday) happened to be their chopping of firewood day for the school. All students in the school had to be involved in this activity and since we are at the school, we also accompanied them along in this school activity. We learnt from the students that this is a 3 times a week that that they have to do for the school, but all responded that they were very willing to do this for the school and are very happy being given a chance to serve the school. This is something I was very shocked to hear coming from students as young as 10. Students in the village were very selfless and are very enthusiastic in doing things to help their own school. This is also another great learning point which I have picked up from them through the chopping of firewood.
Along the way up the mountain, we had to cross through small rivers, walk across vegetable fields, walk on mud walls and climb up very steep slope before reaching the top. The route was challenging for urban kids like the 25 of us since this is the first time all of us are doing such things. I remembered very clearly that day I was walking with my group of P4 kids, when come to the part where there is steep slope leading to the mountain top, one boy named Xiao Quan, immediately put out his hand to offer his help to me up the mountain. Suddenly, I felt very very touched at that moment and was filled with admiration for him. Despite being still young at his age, he knows how to care for others and offer his help to me when he knows I needed it the most at that point of time. That one moment was indeed one that I will never forget in this entire trip.
Yang Liu Primary also left a deep impression on me. The studying environment at that particular school was also very terrible as compared to the classrooms that we have in Singapore. Their classrooms were very dark, although there was a light bulb in each class but none was switched on because all were spoilt. Hence, students have to study in dark environments. Besides that, furniture was in very bad conditions in the sense that tables and chairs were toppling. Roof tops were also leaking thus affecting students studying conditions. However, students were also enthusiastically engaged in all lessons and learning still takes place as usual.
Students at Xiao Jie were very welcoming; they cheered all the way upon our arrival and we were warmly welcomed into their classes although they knew that we will only be there having lessons with them for that one day only. Although the students at this school were slightly better off than the previous two schools, they did not show any proud attitude in them and all were as accepting as the previous two schools. The only difference that we received from them is that we sort of have a mini autograph session after our lessons with them. They were rushing to get our names and well wishes written in their small exercise books after lessons. It was indeed a wonderful experience that I have never tried before in my entire life.
The last school, Lu Chong Primary, came as a shock to many of us. Probably, I can say that it is a challenge given to test all of us. This is because we did not receive much support from the school itself and the students at this school was much difficult to deal with as compared to the other three. They were much rowdier especially the P6 class that Gavin, Jesalyn and Yu Ang have taken. They have no respect for our members and were at total defiance. After the first and second day with the students, many of us were full of complaints and did not want to go back to the school on the last day. However, after given time to think what we really want to achieve at the end of it, majority still chose to go back to Lu Chong. Ms Koh, the brave one, decided to take on the challenge on the last day to step into the P6 class to teach at the later part of the day. And yes, she managed to subdue all these little monsters in the P6 class of Lu Chong just like what she has done it in CCSS by making friends with the big boss in the class. The rest of us also learnt to change our teaching methods and attitude towards our individual classes within the short period of 1 day so that it would make our time spent with them slightly better. This is something I have learnt that is to adapt to the environment we are in and not try to change the environment to adapt us and I think all of us did a good job for that.
Home stays during our time at Lu Chong was also one memorable experience for me. That was when we got really close interviews with the adults living in the village. As Lu Chong was a village with majority being Chinese Muslims, we tried to learn more by asking about their common practices and compared their practices to the Muslims in Singapore. Both Muslims from 2 countries shared similar beliefs such as cannot eat pork, celebrate Hari Raya and their poultry have to be brought to a person named “Ah Hong” to pray before consumption. The only 2 differences that they have are it is not compulsory for the Muslims in China to go to the Mosque to pray every on every Fridays, they can do so whenever they feel there is a need. Secondly, the Muslims in China do celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. These are some interesting cultural facts that we have learnt through this trip.
Last but not least, there are also learning points which I have taken back from my team members as well. I learnt to be passionate about giving to others selflessly such as volunteering to help in cooking and washing up although it might not be our group’s turn. I also knew the importance of giving words of encouragement to one another when something has been done well so that others feel that their efforts have been recognized. This can be as simple as saying “Thank You” to the people cooking for that particular meal and giving positive comments about the food and gobble up the negative ones (hahax just joking). Also, 没有局限地分享 of life journey also allowed me to understand each of my members and teachers better, which is something I enjoyed very much. This is because by doing so 我不知不觉又多了几位知心的朋友.
In conclusion, I have indeed learnt a lot from this trip and have not regretted signing up for it until now and will not also in the future. I guess all of us will share this common belief.
Cheers! Jacquelyn Wan :)
I must admit that our teachers have done a very great job before the trip in getting the entire team prepared to learn something out from the trip. We were being put into many discussions during pre-trip meetings to discuss on our main purpose for the trip and also not to mention service-learning was one of the hottest debate that our team had.
After several discussions and reflections, I feel that my opinion of service-learning is that it is a form of experiential learning through community service from which we can learn and grow from important educational experience that will contribute to our personal discovery and development. As we are involved in meeting real community needs, community services provides a rich learning environment for us as experiential learning facilitation methods are used to draw out the learning points for us. Although based on the actual evaluation of the trip that I have been through, my stand would be (s, L). Personally, I feel that service-learning places equal emphasis on service and learning. Learning enhances service, service enhances leaning, and we cannot deny the fact that it is a self-perpetuating cycle. Thus, my opinion of (S, L) will still stand even if asked about both importances again.
I feel that the process of thinking and learning have been put in place very well by the teachers for the team as all of us were very comfortable in sharing our thoughts throughout the trip since we dared to voice out our opinions as and when we do not agree to certain issues discussed. Through all these discussions that we had from the start to the end of the trip, it have definitely made us open up our thoughts and give more in depth thinking about the things that we went through.
Next, although many disliked the idea of doing a photo essay suggested initially because is like another dreadful PW, after all grumbling, all of us still work hard to complete it and eventually we began to love it as we get involved with the task at hand. It is not as bad as we have thought; in fact it is much more interesting than PW. With all the efforts put in by all members to contribute to the project, I am very proud to say that we have successfully completed the photo essays and it was very well done for all groups.
This is the 2nd overseas service trip that I have been to, but this is the first that I have diligently written down my reflections for every day that I have experienced in the country. I felt that by doing so, I could recall back most of the things which happened during the trip when I read through my reflection (which is something I enjoy doing) even though the trip might have passed for a long time.
I strongly feel that this trip has really made me appreciate my present life even more and it also taught me to be contented with what I am having now. Although, many of us shared our experiences on the supposedly tough road that we have been through during in our life, I think probably some of our life journey may not seem to be as tough as the children in Yunnan. Many of us are definitely much fortunate as compared to the kids in Yunnan. They live with the simplest life that we can ever imagine it to be.
We went to four primary schools, namely Wan Lv Qing Primary, Yang Liu Primary, Lu Chong Primary and Xiao Jie. Through our interactions with the kids in the first primary school, Wan Lv Qing Primary, we realized that many do not have electricity at home and are forced to study in the dark or used light from the moon if there is a need to do so. However, despite the many difficulties that they may face during studying, nothing stopped their enthusiasm to learn more things from books. Many would go to school willingly as early as 6am in the morning to practice self-study in school since that is the only place where they have excess to electricity. Secondly, many of the students in this primary school told us that they stay very far from school. Many of them have to run for as long as 1 entire hour up and down mountains in order to reach school in time for their self-study lessons since they do not have accessible public transport like we do in Singapore. In Singapore, we complain for having to wake up early to take the bus for about an hour to reach school, however these kids who run for 2 hours every day to reach school did not make any complain at all. These kids have really earned my true respect and admiration for them and I would really hope to learn from them.
Another new thing that I have experienced in this school is going up to the mountain to chop firewood. Having lived I an urban city for the past 17 years, all I have to do is turn the notch on the cooking stove and I will have my fire blazing hot in front of me. However, things were different when we were over at China. We had to start our own fire to cook every meal by burning more and more firewood. And on this special day, 15 Nov 2007 (Thursday) happened to be their chopping of firewood day for the school. All students in the school had to be involved in this activity and since we are at the school, we also accompanied them along in this school activity. We learnt from the students that this is a 3 times a week that that they have to do for the school, but all responded that they were very willing to do this for the school and are very happy being given a chance to serve the school. This is something I was very shocked to hear coming from students as young as 10. Students in the village were very selfless and are very enthusiastic in doing things to help their own school. This is also another great learning point which I have picked up from them through the chopping of firewood.
Along the way up the mountain, we had to cross through small rivers, walk across vegetable fields, walk on mud walls and climb up very steep slope before reaching the top. The route was challenging for urban kids like the 25 of us since this is the first time all of us are doing such things. I remembered very clearly that day I was walking with my group of P4 kids, when come to the part where there is steep slope leading to the mountain top, one boy named Xiao Quan, immediately put out his hand to offer his help to me up the mountain. Suddenly, I felt very very touched at that moment and was filled with admiration for him. Despite being still young at his age, he knows how to care for others and offer his help to me when he knows I needed it the most at that point of time. That one moment was indeed one that I will never forget in this entire trip.
Yang Liu Primary also left a deep impression on me. The studying environment at that particular school was also very terrible as compared to the classrooms that we have in Singapore. Their classrooms were very dark, although there was a light bulb in each class but none was switched on because all were spoilt. Hence, students have to study in dark environments. Besides that, furniture was in very bad conditions in the sense that tables and chairs were toppling. Roof tops were also leaking thus affecting students studying conditions. However, students were also enthusiastically engaged in all lessons and learning still takes place as usual.
Students at Xiao Jie were very welcoming; they cheered all the way upon our arrival and we were warmly welcomed into their classes although they knew that we will only be there having lessons with them for that one day only. Although the students at this school were slightly better off than the previous two schools, they did not show any proud attitude in them and all were as accepting as the previous two schools. The only difference that we received from them is that we sort of have a mini autograph session after our lessons with them. They were rushing to get our names and well wishes written in their small exercise books after lessons. It was indeed a wonderful experience that I have never tried before in my entire life.
The last school, Lu Chong Primary, came as a shock to many of us. Probably, I can say that it is a challenge given to test all of us. This is because we did not receive much support from the school itself and the students at this school was much difficult to deal with as compared to the other three. They were much rowdier especially the P6 class that Gavin, Jesalyn and Yu Ang have taken. They have no respect for our members and were at total defiance. After the first and second day with the students, many of us were full of complaints and did not want to go back to the school on the last day. However, after given time to think what we really want to achieve at the end of it, majority still chose to go back to Lu Chong. Ms Koh, the brave one, decided to take on the challenge on the last day to step into the P6 class to teach at the later part of the day. And yes, she managed to subdue all these little monsters in the P6 class of Lu Chong just like what she has done it in CCSS by making friends with the big boss in the class. The rest of us also learnt to change our teaching methods and attitude towards our individual classes within the short period of 1 day so that it would make our time spent with them slightly better. This is something I have learnt that is to adapt to the environment we are in and not try to change the environment to adapt us and I think all of us did a good job for that.
Home stays during our time at Lu Chong was also one memorable experience for me. That was when we got really close interviews with the adults living in the village. As Lu Chong was a village with majority being Chinese Muslims, we tried to learn more by asking about their common practices and compared their practices to the Muslims in Singapore. Both Muslims from 2 countries shared similar beliefs such as cannot eat pork, celebrate Hari Raya and their poultry have to be brought to a person named “Ah Hong” to pray before consumption. The only 2 differences that they have are it is not compulsory for the Muslims in China to go to the Mosque to pray every on every Fridays, they can do so whenever they feel there is a need. Secondly, the Muslims in China do celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. These are some interesting cultural facts that we have learnt through this trip.
Last but not least, there are also learning points which I have taken back from my team members as well. I learnt to be passionate about giving to others selflessly such as volunteering to help in cooking and washing up although it might not be our group’s turn. I also knew the importance of giving words of encouragement to one another when something has been done well so that others feel that their efforts have been recognized. This can be as simple as saying “Thank You” to the people cooking for that particular meal and giving positive comments about the food and gobble up the negative ones (hahax just joking). Also, 没有局限地分享 of life journey also allowed me to understand each of my members and teachers better, which is something I enjoyed very much. This is because by doing so 我不知不觉又多了几位知心的朋友.
In conclusion, I have indeed learnt a lot from this trip and have not regretted signing up for it until now and will not also in the future. I guess all of us will share this common belief.
Cheers! Jacquelyn Wan :)
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