[April, 2022] THE FIRST OFFLINE PROJECT IN COOPERATION WITH MICHAEL PAGE AFTER TWO YEARS OF COVID, MARKING THE RETURN OF ECO VIETNAM GROUP
Over the past two years, we had to suspend a lot of our plans to fight the pandemic. That time was never easy, still EVG did our best to maintain activities for children at two community libraries in Gia Bac and Tra Vinh through online projects with great efforts.
Now that life in Vietnam is in adaptation with a “New Normal”, we are back with our first offline project!
On April 15, 2022, the EVG community library in Tra Vinh province couldn’t be more excited to welcome Michael Page Vietnam’s visit. The event marks the first time for a while since the children could all participate in group activities at the library. Everyone in the group and the volunteers joined hands to plant flowers, paint the walls, and renew the library, creating more spaces for the children to raise their spirits as well as determination for studying and developing themselves.
The joy and excitement sparkling from the children’s eyes when participating in the games which haven’t been seen for quite a long time, were enough to warm many hearts, giving the volunteers strength to continue the work despite any fatigue. Even though the sky on that day is a bit gray due to the early seasonal rain, the team’s tremendous enthusiasm could not be put off. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to Michael Page Vietnam and all volunteers; we couldn’t have done it without you.
Last but not least , many new exciting projects are coming soon, so don’t forget to FOLLOW US to be part of a great journey!
We aim to create a beneficial environment by making books and newspapers freely accessible to kids, allowing them to exchange and study. Despite the challenging situation of the Covid pandemic, our library was recently allowed to reopen after a month of temporary closure to serve readers and build a healthy playground for kids, due to the support and approval of the local authorities.
Some images of kids reading books on-site, registering to borrow books to home
The library has been allowed to reopen after a one-month temporary closure. Following this news, children are drawn to the library to read, borrow books, and have fun with friends on a regular basis. On weekdays and certain weekends, an increasing number of children attend the library.
Pictures of kids taking attendance when going to the library
In the past, activities in the library were carried out according to a predetermined schedule; however, free entertainment activities on weekdays and weekends always drew people in.
Kids are playing and have free-hand drawing
In order to help children feel as comfortable as possible when visiting the library during a pandemic, the library has actively participated in pandemic prevention and control by teaching children how to wash their hands properly and to wear masks when going outside on their route to the library.
Images of children washing their hands before entering the library
Along with promoting cleanliness propaganda in accordance with local authority rules, the library always carries out activities in accordance with local instructions and continues to carry out actions to ensure public safety and disease prevention.
The activities in the previous month have always rigorously followed the “5K message” in order to build a healthy playground for the small ones during the summer at the library, in addition to incorporating the learned knowledge into intellectual games.
Images of children wearing the mask while drawing to prevent the pandemic
In order to effectively execute programs during the summer months, the library welcomes children on weekdays from Wednesday to Sunday, while also strengthening the organizing of on-site reading activities.
Pictures of children reading books on-site
Aside from visiting the library to exchange, have fun, and learn together, the children are also aware of and gradually exercise the habit of reading books on the spot, with a particular interest in cartoon comics and books with a lot of drawings. Some of the children who will be starting secondary school next year are big fans of reference books, particularly literary and math books.
Picture of children choosing books they like to read.
Many children actively borrowed books to read at home and returned them on time in accordance with the library’s policies. Gradually develop the habit of borrowing and returning with self-discipline, and voluntarily follow the main norms.
Pictures of students to borrow books to read.
Furthermore, the library recently developed amusement events to draw based on children’s hobbies, guide children to read books, and always propagate and remind them to maintain their health and prevent epidemics. Furthermore, the children were able to create paintings, play tug of war, jigsaw puzzles, hide-and-seek, wood-drawing games, and other things that they enjoy the most when they visit the library.
Pictures of children playing tug of war, hide and seek activities on the weekend
The activity of producing roses from handmade paper is designed to entertain and enhance the aesthetic taste of children, with the intention that they will notice and recycle the materials around them, as well as practice table dexterity. Hand and crafting pleasant and near products in a variety of colours suitable for nature also drew curious and eager children to follow the instruction.
Image of children drawing, cutting and folding paper to make flowers.
Reading books and engaging activities with books, sketching and crafts activities, children gradually enhance their comprehension of all elements and have moments of leisure and enjoyment, attract them to the library on a regular basis over the summer days.
The library’s activities are aimed at creating a healthy, useful, and pleasant playground for children. The library is not only a place to read books, but it is also a popular location for children to study and play. The library has offered numerous interesting and beneficial fun activities every week as well as every day of the week to draw the involvement of children of all ages in order to serve the activities throughout the summer month.
To assist the children in playing, studying, and relaxing, they have become aware of and regard the library as their shared home. When children come to the library, they always clean up their toys after playing, sweep the leaves around the yard, water the flowers, and even cut the grass around the library garden, which helps the library have a natural atmosphere, feel at home, and bring a vivid colour image so that when children come to the library, they can read, listen, watch, and play, thereby stimulating creativity.
Image of children sweeping the yard, cleaning around the library’s vegetable garden.
Summer activities at the library in the last month not only built a helpful playground, meeting the demands of children’s summer fun and activities but also created conditions to help them exercise physically, intellectually, reveal their gifts and talents. Furthermore, we are always working to avoid the covid epidemic by bringing the library closer to readers, so establishing a safe and healthy living environment and engaging entertaining activities for kids.
Image of children washing their hands listening to library staff propagandizes and remind them of measures to prevent covid.
In recent years, the percentage of children who use the library has remained low. The epidemic situation is still difficult and problematic; the gathering of children to the library is limited, with only 30 children permitted to visit; this is also the period when they plan for summer, so most children must work in the fields to assist their parents’ work. Some children have to stay at home by themselves, doing housework. So many parents do not allow their children to go to the library to play and study.
Furthermore, due to frequent power interruptions caused by bad weather, screenings of scientific films by themes in a month or a week have been impossible. Every Saturday, movie screenings are held in a variety of sessions that are both interesting and appealing to youngsters. During the screening, the youngsters concentrate on observing, listening to the questions, and responding appropriately in each session. Each message in the film contains a theme.
Image of children watching a movie.
In the near future, the library will organize and guide more activities such as decoration, in addition to on-site service activities such as reading books on-site, borrowing, playing freely, showing movies, free drawing… If kids want to learn how to use a computer, we can teach them how to use a library, make crafts, and teach them how to use a computer with basic information. Simultaneously, teaching children more about the abilities and methods of reading books and newspapers in order to meet their learning and pleasure needs. We also organize additional entertainment activities over the week to pique children’s interest in the library, while always following local requirements for epidemic prevention.
Against the backdrop of the complicated developments of the pandemic that hit our country, in particular, Cau Ke’s local community confirmed some COVID-19 cases. To ensure people’s safety and manage to control the pandemic, the issuance of the Directive was made by the local authorities promptly.
Under the new Directive of Tra Vinh province, we decided to close our libraries. Most of the library activities temporarily came to a halt to ensure people’s safety.
To continue to fulfill the mission related to improving access to the quality of education and to enable the children to catch up with the new trend, all the activities, classes have taken place via online platform. Furthermore, the library has brought the library’s existing computers, laptops to the children’s homes. Then we guide them and their parents on how to use laptops and online classrooms of Zoom apps where they can join the Library’s online classes with other partners and volunteers both domestically and internationally.
With these actions, the children can easily access the knowledge of not only the library’s classes but also online courses. Moreover, this method will ensure health protection, reduce their parent’s anxiety, and know the ways of online learning.
After more than one week of the preparation and delivery of laptops, the first class was conducted pretty well. The students actively engaged in the lesson even though they showed their minor shyness because that was the first time they met people via computer screen. The most difficult they had to face in the first lesson was login activities (despite the careful guidance and run trials) as well as other Zoom functions to do the practice and interact with volunteer teachers. Be that as it may, most people expressed their patience and happiness when guiding and waiting for children until they could do those practices well and then moved on to other activities.
Before the lesson, the children would sing the song “Hello” together to arouse their interest and then they would give their introduction to others in English to help strengthen the bond, minimize the gap between them and volunteers. During the lesson, the majority of children tended to be quite shy and turned off the camera but after having been asked to turn it on, they followed very well and strictly. At the end of the lesson, most of them expressed their thankfulness and shared their feelings, thinking about that lesson.
In June, the classes continuously took place from Wednesday morning to Sunday every week. The morning classrooms mainly focus on primary students from age 8 to 10 years old with a wide variety of interesting topics such as animal names, tower building, learning English through songs, bathroom objects, classrooms,…
The afternoon classrooms will teach students at the secondary and higher education with the advanced level, the children discuss and study grammar rules (noun, verb, adjective, conjunction,.), topic-related vocabulary such as the bathroom, school as well as virtual reality, 3D printer, Scratch program,
During the lesson, some activities were organized in many ways, in particular, breaking down the rooms – Breakout Zoom, Annotate to draw, answering the questions in the box chat, all the students were highly interested in those activities and shown their excitement about them, which help students not only remember knowledge but also boost their interaction among them as well as develop observational skill and listening skill.
After about two lessons, the students in the morning class were more confident and did not hesitate to interact with volunteers and actively ask people. The class gradually expanded from 10 to nearly 20 participants in a class. Students were not only in Phong Thanh commune (Library) but also expanded to adjacent communes such as Phong Phu, Cau Ke, etc. Besides, students also used computers and phones at home to study with the library due to the limited number of computers. All the children expressed their preferences when participating in the class and wanted to grasp more knowledge. The ability to use computers has become much more proficient, they actively logged into class earlier than the given time to check their attendance.
Prior to COVID 19, the children mainly studied at the library and no matter how difficult they were, volunteers willingly supported in a timely manner and managed the class easier. In the new situation, it is also an advantage for them to get used to computers, have more time to learn and while introducing to their parents about access, find out the information. Volunteers also would gain valuable experience in organizing online classes and managing distance learning.
Despite the complicated developments of the pandemic, the library makes great efforts
so that more classes can be given to students, and they are not left behind.
In addition, three students of the library won the Beyond Borders scholarship. In 6 months, they have successfully completed their study period. Students persistently attended and actively engaged in all the classes. They also got many rewards from teachers and people. At the end of the class ceremony, Miss Hoa was responsible for the host and the project’s teacher. Because of her experience as MC at the Library, she was very bold, confident, and highly communicative in the activities. Some students such as Ngoc, Tram, and Anh Thu dubbed the short film Frozen. We are very happy and take a great deal of pride in them because they did a great job, they willingly put themselves out of limits, improve their English pronunciation skills, embrace proactive learning and know-how to manage their time well that do not affect their academic performance in the school
In April 2021, EVG Community Library continued to cooperate with partners and volunteers to carry out educational activities, following the Service-Learning model as follows:
1. Online English – STEM Class with students from Hong Kong PolyU
Sunday (April 4, 2021), in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00. The number of students participating in the class was 13. They were introduced with meteorology and learned about types of clouds, rain formation, and some of the basic gases that make up the atmosphere.
Sunday (April 11, 2021), in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00. The number of students participating in the class was 15. They were introduced with the discipline of Food Technology and learned about nutrition and weight, the main and secondary sources of nutrients in daily meals, as well as how to build a healthy diet and maintain a fit body.
Sunday (April 4, 2021), in the afternoon from 14:00 to 16:00. 12 students participated. They learned critical thinking through geometry puzzles and logical math questions. The students enjoyed the lesson very much and actively joined in throughout the lesson. These lessons boost children’s intelligence, logical thinking, as well as improve their problem-solving and flexible computer skills.
Sunday (April 11, 2021), in the afternoon from 14:00 to 16:00. 10 students joined in. They are introduced with basic programming through simple games and through creating backgrounds, images, names, background effects, text fonts, etc. These lessons encourage children to confidently use computers and the Scratch app to train their brain and creative mind through having fun learning with shapes and solving mental math questions.
→ Learning Attitude Observation: The children enjoyed learning and entertainment activities in the classroom, especially online games such as Kahoot; in addition to acquiring social and scientific knowledge, they also had the opportunity to interact, communicate and practice with foreign volunteers. Their participation also benefits their practice of English listening and reflecting ability and opens up the access to science and technology to apply it in life. Many shared that for the first time in their lives, they got to know about different types of clouds such as cumulus clouds, stratus clouds, cirrocumulus clouds, etc.
2. English Class – Life skills with Singaporean students
Saturday (March 27, 2021), in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and in the afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00. 19 9th graders and 15 6th graders participated. They think about their own interests and passions, thereby drawing out their desires and orientations for future career possibilities through drawing activities and presenting them in front of the class.
Saturday (April 3, 2021), in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and in the afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00, 15 9th graders and 16 6th graders participated. They got to learn English vocabulary on family members such as father, mother, siblings, etc. They inquired more about the family tree and did a vocabulary quiz to help them learn the lesson as quickly and accurately as possible.
Saturday (April 10, 2021), in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and in the afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00, 13 grade 9 students and 12 grade 6 students participated. They learned to talk about their hobbies through pictures in English, do English grammar exercises, and so on.
Saturday (April 17, 2021), in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and in the afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00, 9 grade 9 students and 6 grade 6 students participated. They got to learn presentation skills, using 2 “Cs” that are “confidence” and “eye contact” – meaning having interaction with the audience and listeners and practice giving presentations about themselves and their family.
Saturday (April 24, 2021), in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00 and in the afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00, 10 9th graders and 8 6th graders participated. They had further practice on public speaking skills in English.
→ Learning Attitude Observation: The children were interested in the lessons. After 5 lessons, they were well acquainted with public speaking and learned some English vocabulary on topics such as family, hobbies or careers. The class took place happily, the children were united, they supported each other and responded well in class activities.
II – ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES
The library is still open as usual from Wednesday to Sunday for students to come and play, borrow and read books on their demand.
Besides, on weekends, the library and its volunteers organize activities and team games for the children to have fun, communicate and interact with each other to improve teamwork skill and synergize.
Furthermore, the library is carrying out its mission of bringing books to more readers. On Thursday mornings, the library and its volunteers deliver books to elementary schools far away from the library and play with the children during recess.
Every Sunday afternoon, the EVG Community Library’s volunteers, who work in the field of Law, will hold classes for high school and secondary school students. They will have the opportunity to work together and find out how to look up legal documents and current documents on the Vietnamese Government’s Law Library website.
Besides, the students will discuss the articles, issues, and content of the Law on Gender Equality, the Labor Code, the Law on Road Traffic, the Anti-Abuse Law…
These lessons not only broaden the students’ horizons and give them a proper understanding of the law but also help them see the benefits from legal knowledge, which will enable them to defend themselves, and spark their interest in Law and Legal Studies.
English class for core students
With a desire to support students from disadvantaged and rural areas, Mr. Nguyen Van Quy, currently a teacher in Tay Ninh, has been spending three hours every week teaching students from the Library.
The class attendees are the Library’s five core students, most of whom are in the sixth and eighth grades. The lessons are built on the book Discovery 1, which provides learners with foundation knowledge and helps them improve their listening and speaking skills.
After three lessons, Mr. Quy spoke highly of the students’ fast learning capacity and serious attitude. However, the recent escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the class to be canceled. It is expected to be opened once the situation gets better.
Khmer dancing class
After foundational dancing lessons, Khmer dancing teachers of the Library will instruct students on how to stand and sit, to move their hands in sync with the tune and tempo of the songs. In Robam dance, facial expression is considered the key component.
– RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Gathering at the beginning of the month
On the first Sunday of every month, the Library will undertake recreational activities, review the previous month’s operation and offer rewards for the students who show great effort in their learning process and proactively participate in the Library’s activities.
Moreover, to bring about laughter and fond memories for the children, the EVG Community Library also organizes birthday parties for its members each month. At these parties, everybody will sing the Happy Birthday song, give their best wishes to the birthday girls and boys, and celebrate together, creating happy memories. Below is Ngan, who celebrated her birthday this month.
The International Children’s Day June 1st
To establish a helpful playground for children, help them keep pleasant memories, and ensure their happiness on International Children’s Day, June 1st, the Library threw a small party for over 20 children. They played together, gave one another good wishes, then had a small party. That day, the children also learned about the meaning of International Children’s Day and its associated activities in Vietnam as well as all around the world.
Furthermore, the Library shared and explained to these children the activities it has been undertaking, thanks to the support and cooperation of its generous donors who have trusted and worked with the EVG to create a helpful playground for young students.
Besides, the Library still maintains its normal operation and lets the children in to play and read books. This year, the school year ended earlier so on average, roughly 20 children came to play, read and borrow books each day.
This period of time is precious to me and I totally appreciate it.
I knew this project accidentally just through a share on FB and it took quite a long time to consider whether I should apply or not, ’cause at this time I had no ideas about what I gonna do in this project, no specific info about when I would have the final exam as well as when I would start the summer semester. But finally I gave it a chance ’cause I wanted to mark something more special in my boring life, not just studying, sleeping and doing some part-time jobs :))))
And now I realize that I gain even more things than what I expected. I met some nice and talented EVG members from whom I learned a lot to expand my knowledge and change my mind about some fields of life; also we put many efforts to this project and thus created memorable things together. We became friends and will surely keep in touch in the future ❤ Besides, I had chances to work with students from Hong Kong PolyU and also received many lessons through this time. Their cuteness, their kindness and their enthusiasm during all the time we worked together also will be unforgettable in my mind ❤ And I’ll miss all the students from Sesame school a lot. Thanks for your delicious cakes and your supports during 5 days we worked together ❤ Gonna miss our cute tour- guide and my cute sister from HSU ❤
Although I sometimes made some mistakes and really got tired of my poor ability, but everything luckily went smooth and thus I learned from those mistakes to improve myself day by day. I also couldn’t be so sociable to feel free starting conversations with strangers and make friends as I had expected but it needs long long time to change ’cause it all depends on my own character, so… :)))) No matter what happened, I knew that I had tried a lot :)))))
I joined 1812 Project with no special expectation in my mind. To me, it was simply a chance to do the volunteer work and contribute something in my ability to the community.
During the preparation before the project, I start to learn about Service Learning, about learning through Reflection,… and I start to engaged myself more also understand more about the philosophy behind the project, I started to understand the difference between Community Service & Service Learning.
I also learned how to run a project: how to plan, to prepare the logistics, to plan the budget, prepare for the unexpected situations,… everything was hard for me at the beginning but the process really taught me a lot.
The journey at Hoa Tan Province was indeed an open-minded experience for me. I love everything about it: waking up early in the morning to prepare the meals, living with 28 new friends, learning to take care of myself also other people…
I learned a lot through the journey. I was really surprised to know that to run the project, the Singaporean friends had spent more than 8 months for fund-raising, preparing the textbook and other teaching tools. I realized that my response here as a volunteer is not only about the community and the children but also the S-team & V-team beside me.
As a matter of fact, I was the one who learned a lot from everyone. I learned about teamwork, helping each other, never giving up despite how hard the challenge is, & improving always. I changed a lot thanks to the love from everyone.
What I remember the most was the smiles of everyone. As a member of V-team told me “This trip to me was really fast. It was indeed a great fun. And I even didn’t notice the time flies.”
Thanks to the positive attitude and humorous of everyone, the trip was so enriching and comfortable. We would keep the memories deep in our heart: the walk to and from school, the walk under the rain, the coffee breaks, the letters, the meals with a lot of laughing, the singing time…
Everything was like a dream. I would never forget this memorable and life-changing trip. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t join the projects sooner. Thank you EVG for giving us the change to learn, to experience, and to grow! We sincerely hope that you will keep on passing these meaningful chances to more and more Vietnamese young people!
Place: Phong Thạnh commune, Cầu Kè district, Trà Vinh province
Participants: 25 volunteers from Nanyang Technological Singapore and 5 EVG volunteers (including 3 members).
Achievements:
Built Sports hall in CVC
Taught children at Phong Thanh B primary school
Visited 4 needy families in Phong Thanh commune
Organized outdoor activities for children
Organized Culture Night and Campfire
Project 1811 is an extremely impressive and unforgettable memory. First of all, I sincerely thank Mr.Harry Pham Van Anh and Ms. Thuan Trang for organizing these OSL projects in Vietnam. Thanks to this, Vietnamese volunteers have the opportunity to experience the service learning model in Vietnam. No need to go abroad but right here we practice English 24/24, it is a wonderful thing.
Besides, I would like to send my thanks to Vteam: Ms. Ngoc, Ms. Thuy, Dung and Thu. Thank Ms Theu for your good meals and your managing the children – I really admire you. Thank you Ms. Ngoc, you are a dedicated leader who cares us, even small things you will remind us and even though you are busy, you also spend time with us. Thank Dung, your participation made the project more fun, indeed you fulfilled your tasks very well and you are very good bonding with others. And thank you baby Thu, this project without you might have a lack, it was your innocent questions that made the atmosphere better and less stressful.
Not forget to give a thank to STeam. You are very enthusiastic, fun and willing to help VTeam. Sam, Richie, Willie, Jem and Iggy are really cute and make the most laughter for everyone. David and Fan, though I didn’t talk to you much, you are really warm. Each of you is a color that brings the project more brilliant. Thank you very much.
What did I learn after the project?
I learned a lot. About housework, I learned how to fry eggs, astronauts, learning how to cut Hanoi plum beautifully … About teaching, I learned to be flexible with each group of children, not to apply one method to every child. About construction, I learned how to wall, know how hard my father does because he is a builder.
Well, one more thing I learned is sincerity. The children here are very sincere. When I was about to go, they cried, one of them said, “If you were my sister, I would only stay at home with you,” and other asked me, “When will you come back?” The children also gave the crane paper in which they wrote for me, they also gave me a teddy bear and soup … The day I went, the kids also told me to put the stone in my hand. It’s a wish of luck and a promise to meet again.
The project has closed but the pieces of memory are still here. Every project is always unforgettable. Thank you everyone for being a great piece in the 1811 picture in my youth.
Because we only have once a life to live so please enjoy the life, devote yourself and study all your best.
Participants : 27 students and 4 teachers from ST Andrew’s Junior College and 4 EVG volunteers (including 2 members)
Achievements :
Built 2 water tanks
Taught basic English for students at Phong Thanh primary school
Visited 4 households in the commune
Organized Library Event for children
Organized an ASEAN youth connection – sharing workshop.
From Vietnamese volunteer
Applying and being a part of the project 1810 is the wisest decision which not only bring me a lot of unforgettable memories but also the new relationships, the experiences and a chance to look at my self again.
During the trip, as a newbie I had faced many ‘first-time ‘challenges such as the first-time volunteering in an actual community project, the first time playing with kids, the first time took over responsibility for something that not a ‘typical school works’
It was only 1 week but I had learnt a lot through our normal activities such as teaching, constrution work or even interating with other volunteers. I have learnt that a proper preparration is always better , and a good start with planning and always having back up plan for anthing will keep things on track espeacially if it is your first time doing . I also learnt how to open my heart with everyone , feel lucky and appricate what I have rightnow
In Phong Thanh Commune, we didn’t have a good living conditions like at home: no air conditioners, no hot water, no vacuum cleaner, no washing machine, etc Every day, after dinner, we all have line up waiting to bath, to wash and to go to toilet too. Not only these things but also having meal in the dark (a few times when there were power outages), sleeping on carpet, working under hot weather and being bitten by mosquitoes every night. In spite of many difficulties, we’re always together and always close to each other as a family. This project brings us – 34 people in different areas, different nations and different languages together in Phong Thanh Commune, Tra Vinh Province and buiding up a good friendship.
It’s also my pleasure to live and work with 4 lovely Vietnamese girls who are really enthusiastic, kind and responsible. They took care of me, helped me and always there for me when i needed
Finally, I want to say thank ECO Vietnam Group so much from the depth of my heart. Thank EVG for believing and giving such a great opportunity to me to be a part of this project. I have received a lot after this trip, got more friends, more experinces, more ideas and motivation to serving more for the community. Once again, thank you very much EVG!!
Before the project happened, Vietnamese volunteer had had about 1 month to prepare. We were introduced about EVG, trained about First Aid.
These conical hats were decorated meticulously by V-team as a present for new friends from Singapore.
The first day:
On 18 March, EVG volunteers gathered at EVG Hub to prepare all logistic. We went to the air port with Mr Harry and Ms Trang to meet volunteers from Ngee Ann Poly. Although this was the first time EVG volunteers attend an OSL project, they were ardent and excited for the first meeting. After taking picture, the group got on the bus and started the journey. On the bus, Mr Harry had s short introduction about ECO Vietnam Group and then everyone introduced their names, hobbies. We had first meal together at Trung Luong Restaurant. We arrived to hotel at about 10 pm, so after check-in, V-team had a meeting with Mr Harry and Ms Trang to prepare for Welcome Ceremony.
In the next morning, a Welcome Ceremony was organized by Phong Thanh Commune helped volunteers have more enthusiasm and trust for the coming days.
Working Days at Phong Thanh:
The next days, despite hard-working and working under new environment, everybody tried to learn and help together to overcome miserably hard position and challenges. The whole trip was witnessed sweat, happiness, sadness as well as friendship that maybe experience only one time.
Construction
Every day, the whole team would be divided into 3 small groups, one group would be teaching, one was construction and the last one was “house keeping”. The “house keeping” team had responsibility to cook, clean up the house and “keep” the house while the others were working at school.
On 24 March, the whole group had a meaning morning for House Hold Visit activities at Phong Thanh Commune. S-Team had chance to know more about the daily life of local people and their difficulty. In the afternoon, everybody went to library to organize Library Event for students. Despite tiredness, everyone had a memorable weekend.
From Vietnamese volunteer
Tran Kim Oanh
It was such an honor that we had a chance to be a part of OSL 1805, which is the first but probably the best project in our life. There is no regret that we were there and have done that, dedicating a part of our youth to the betterment of Phong Thanh locals. Until now, in my mind there is still the feeling of joy when receiving the announcement from EVG that we were accepted as official volunteers for this programme .
In addition to the excited mood, I was very anxious and confused whether there is interaction with some Singapore volunteer or Not, .. etc … Thinking about all the miscellaneous things on life !!!!
Until the first meeting is not the mood, remember the first time I introduced the name on the bus down Tra Vinh: ” Hi! I’m Orin! ”, Everyone greeted, ” Hello, Orin! ” It seems that every anxiety has gone away half! Now everyone has been friends!
Thanks ECO VIETNAM GROUP for creating the environment for us to try our best. All activities in the OSL are the first time in my life to do such things !!
From getting up early to go shopping, teaching physics, going to build houses, going to visit households, holding a cultural exchanges, one-on-one translation, MC, … etc. Everything is new and there is no shortage of lessons, the lessons I get more, my heart is filled with the most sincere love. The joy of helping others, giving them the smile of emotion in me can not use words to describe. It is a precious experience that I have.
Remembering the construction, sunshine, we still grinned with sweat drooling on the cheek. Love the conversation, share with Thanh, remember her affectionate eyes. I felt like my sister in family. i thought Steam volunteers felt that ,too. I felt that they had all sentimental feelings and hope for each brick, painting in Doreamon that she really liked it in the bedroom. We hoped you have a favorite house, protected the sun and rain, and motivated you to study progress in the bright future.
Remembering the warm smiles and the warm welcome from the locals, remember the woman near the building always brought out hats for us, worried if we got sick! Remember uncle cut coconut for us to drink in the middle of the sun!
Remember the hours taught in class, remember the gaze is considered the physical experiments. Because this was the first time they have been practicing physics in the lab. Remember the bright face of children playing with the Steam. Remember when We karaoke on the bus.
And as we hear the local people, there are many unfortunate circumstances surrounding us, and they need help from others to make their lives better.
14 days was not long enough for us to learn a lot of things that we could change our way of life, our way of thinking. If someone asks me if I want the project to last longer, I will answer “yes”. I wish we had more time to serve, learn, understand each other as well as to be closer together.
The project has ended but the echo as well as the beautiful memories and all the things we learn will surely be with us in the future.
Once again thank you EVG, thank you everyone.
Le Thi Nhu Y
14 days with 1805 project, especially 11 days live in Cau Ke District, taught me lot of valuable lessons that I could not find in other volunteer works. The first lesson is how difficult it is when organizing a project, especially a project relating to foreigners. We have to take care of their safety, their eating habit, and sometimes their belongings. It is more difficult when sometimes they do not realize the important to keep themselves safe. Many volunteer did not wear hats, mask when they did construction work. I think they drink too much, but I could not do anything because that was Mr Andy permission. In my opinion, they should drink in weekend only because if they drink every day, their image with local people can be affected. Some people said to me that “Nothing happen” however it does not mean “Nothing WILL NOT happen”. The second lessons is about how to communicate with not only Singapore volunteer but also local people like teachers, students. If there is any misunderstanding, it is really hard to explain later. With students, I need to be more patient and calm because they are still vulnerable and innocent. This was the first time they had chance to do physical experiments, there were many new things so I regretted that I did not have more time to explain more clearly for them.
Be a volunteer for this project is one of the most meaningful decision in my student’s live. In the begining, it was really hard for me to know what I have to do and how I can communicate with S-team. I had to learn many things and notice every single details. However, the most difficult obstacle I faced is the language barrier. After talking more with them, I learned many interesting things from them like their responsibility, talent, friendship. I realize when we open our heart with others, they can feel it without too much words to explain. About teaching activies, I can understand how difficult it is when students from a rural school learn physical experiments with forgeiners. However, they tried their best to concentrate, to follow S-team’s instruction and listen my explanation. I can feel they had strong desire to learn new things and sometimes their excitement when conducting experiments by themselves made me feel really happy. I also had chance to play with them. I love their smile very much. Sometimes, they were still shy with S-team but thanks for S-team’s friendliness, many students were more confident and there seems to be no gap between them. About construction activitied, I can feel S-team effort when they wanted to complete the house on time. Althought, they did not know anything about building the house before they came here, they leared and followed instructor seriously. I also like the way they enjoyed their work (listening to music, joking, smoking and eating ice-cream). However the most memorable imagine in my mind is the attitude of Thanh and her family members. They treated S-team with all their heart and frienliness. I can not forget Thanh’s smile and tear in the last day, she have suffered too much misfortune in her life already. She has the right to be happy like anyone else. Finally, I would like to express my deepest respect to Mr Harry Van Anh and Ms Thuan Trang. I really apprecitate their contribution for the development of voluntary service as well as sustainable community in our country. I hope they will keep up their meaningful work and be a bridge to introduce more organization coming to Vietnam in future.
Pictures of kids taking attendance when going to the library 
Kids are playing and have free-hand drawing
Pictures of children reading books on-site
Picture of children choosing books they like to read.
Pictures of students to borrow books to read.
Pictures of children playing tug of war, hide and seek activities on the weekend
Image of children drawing, cutting and folding paper to make flowers.
Image of children sweeping the yard, cleaning around the library’s vegetable garden.
Image of children watching a movie.
