Project overview

Name: ON OUR WAY

Time: 22/05/2016 –  04/06/2016.

Location: Phong  Phú Commune, Cầu Kè District, Trà Vinh Province.

Participants:  4 Vietnamese volunteers along with 25 Singapore volunteers (10 males and 15 females), a profestion and 2 staffs from Nanyang Technological University.

ON OUR WAY project belongs to the chain of 6 projects of ECO Vietnam Group in which biogas system is recommended to use. Based on benefits of biogas system, the projects are born with the expectation of reducing environmental pollution caused by the untreated cattles’ waste in poor communities.

Achivements:

+ Finished 5 biogas systems.

+Taught English for local primary school’s kids.

+Visited and gave gifts to 4 poor households.

+ Organized a carnival for Phong Phú’s children.

 Working Process

The First 3 days:

The morning of 22/05/2016, the Vietnamese volunteers along with Mr. Harry (president of EVG) and Kha Nhi (project manager) gathered at Tan Son Nhat International Airport to greet the Singaporean volunteers from  NTU. Despite the unfamiliarity at first, everyone was quick and happy to mark the first moments of the project with group photos.  And we have started a trip promising to bring interesting experiences and filled with emotion.

The group then departed for Tra Vinh City. The two sets of volunteers from Vietnam and Singapore had some initial interactions on the bus and during meal time at noon.

At 4pm we arrived Phong Phú commune, everyone unloaded belonging and logistic then set up living space.

The work days in Phong Phú:

23/05/2016, we got down on business. Thanks to careful preparation of V-team,S- team and EVG, our work started smoothly. Stimultaneous with the main tasks, we also had leisure activities, played and became familiar with life as well as people in Phong Phu. Our story would not be started and completed without the cooperation and cohesion of the team members as well as the help of the locals.

In the early days, construction was really  difficult and challenged for both the S-team and V- team since no one had  experience or technical skills of installation biogas bag.

However, with the enthusiasm and concentration, we took the job quickly then shared with other members what we have learned as well as the difficulties we met in the working  process. We felt very fortunate to be accompanied by S- team who always tried their best to work hard and put the common interest above the personal fears.

We also felt grateful because of care and being more than happy to help of households such as: preparing fruits, beverages and lending  necessary tools.

Thanks to the tireless support from a engineer, we were able to improve day by day. We knew how to dig a hole, bail water out, mix the cement, constructure brick, install a biogas bag.

Futhermore, we learned the way to work together effectively like working on production line by transporting bricks, stones, sand to where they were needed and shared with each other  members healthy problems, encouraged each other to overcome difficulties: thereby strengthening the bonds between two teams. Although we only completed 5/8 of the planned biogas bags, they were the tireless efforts of all volunteers and we felt grateful for the results that we achieve.

Teaching was also another interesting work during our days in Phong Phu commune. From the beginning, we have felt the extremely careful and thoughtful preparation of S team.

They put a lot of enthusiasm for each lesson, not only could children learn English, but also got to play games and made stuff for study or toys by their own creativety thanks to volunteers’ instruction.

However, we also found out difficulties of language barrier that S team encountered in the teaching process. Both S-team and V-team  got together to discuss and provide effective teaching methods to solve this problem.

After that, members of S-team gradually control the class, teaching became easier and lessons became more appealing. We felt  touched on an extremely shy girl, but through the process of learning and in the last class, she opened up her heart, laughed so much and expressed her feelings with us.This is the success that S- team and V- team achieved during 2 weeks. It is neither short nor long period but full of effort and hard work. At least we had instilled the interest of learning English to the kids.

Along with construction and teaching, housework was an opportunity to connect all members of two teams. We had time to understand each other more when we cleaned the toilets, moped the floor and prepared for meal. V team has shared skills of housework and helped S team get use to those works quickly. They experienced a lot of new things that may be they encountered the first time in their lives.

Outside the primary works, the volunteers also had household visiting sessions, during which the talks with the locals gave many insights into the daily life here in Phong Thanh: from the concerns, difficulties to the optimism and positive view of life of the locals. There were tears in small ramshackle houses where the only inhabitants were the elderly and kids… Those memories were unforgettable and really drove us to rethink about our lives and what we could do to change the lives of those who need help.

Culture Night:

Culture Night was the night of performances from the locals, EVG and also the Singaporean volunteers. The participation of many people helped make a night with different emotions and feelings: excitement with the locals’ performances, the performances full of cultural uniqueness from all the Singaporean volunteers really caught the audience with awe, and the performances of EVG volunteers brought a strong Vietnamese flavor to the night. All the emotions and feelings were transfused to the campfire; the light of which reflected back on all the things and memories we had had in Phong Phú, and also shone the way to a hopeful future with all the projects to come. And Culture night ended with a warm reflection of all members of S-team and V- team.

….and many more anonymous memories. . The 14 days of ON OUR WAY project has been filled with impressions, memories and experiences that are truly memorable. All the Vietnamese volunteers have moved closer together through all the hard works and reflections; through all the disagreements and tough times. We worked as a team and grew up as a team. Though we have left Phong Phu, all the love and sharing, all the friendship and compassion stay here, deeply in our hearts and souls.

Reflection of V-team

Before the project started, we had to study, work as well as make a plan for this project.We felt so tired that we want to give up from time to time, but we always  received encouragement and support from project managers (Kha Nhi) and other members of EVG. On the final report, all of us felt very worried in spire of careful preparation, but it’s hard to imagine how practically. Therefore, we would like to thank to Ms Yến (vice president of EVG) because of her  encouragement, useful advices, professional attitude that helped us more confident to start the trip.

Sometimes, because of heavy workload everyone was under pressure. Fortunately, Mr Harry (president of EVG) and ms Vy (project manager) always showed up on time and gave us encouragement regardless of their being busy. We would like to express thanks and appreciation to Ms Vy and Mr Harry, we would not accomplish the personal goals as well as the general goal of project without their help.

From 14 days of doing volunteer service in Phong Phu, we had some meaningful time with S-team. Overcoming differences in culture and language barrier, we have no S-team and V-team any more, but we became friends. Each of us have matured after the trip.

All of us, EVG and volunteers tried our best to overcome difficulties, our commitment has contributed greatly to the project, which is expressed through the achievements were small but very worthwhile. We know that our trip was over, everyone has their own intentions, but after all, surely everyone has distilled lessons for yourself. Thank ECO Vietnam Group has created a meaningful project and gave us  great opportunity to gain valuable experience.

1. Project overview

Name: JUMP HIGH

Time: 25/05/2016 – 07/06/2016

Location: Phong Thạnh Commune, Cầu Kè District, Trà Vinh Province

Participants: 16 students from Nanyang Technological University along with 4 Vietnamese volunteers (including 1 EVG member)

Achievements:

–           Teaching: 2 classes of students in Phong Thanh A Primary School, reaching nearly 30 students

–           Construction:

+ 3 swinging horses

+ 1 teeter

+ 1 foot bridge

+ 1 string bridge

+ 1 table

• Organized a library event for local children

• Organized a Culture Night

1. Working Process

The First 2 days:

The morning of 25/05/2016, the Vietnamese volunteers together with Ms. Linh from ECO Vietnam Group gathered at the airport to welcome the volunteers from NTU. Everyone greeted and quickly took a group photos, then moved onto the bus.

The group went to the restaurant for lunch at HoChiMinh city then headed for Phong Thanh commune.

At around 7pm, everyone arrived at the Commune. The group then had dinner and cleaned up things. Then, everyone helped out with arranging the logistics and sleeping areas.

On 26/05/2016, the group attended the Welcome Ceremony. After that, the Singaporean team moved to the new sleeping areas and received the Living Orientation. In the afternoon, the teaching team and construction team headed to their workplace.

The work days in Phong Thanh:

Construction seemed to be the most tiring and difficult job for everyone. We were supposed to finish 6 items for the playground, including swinging horses, string bridge, foot bridge, tires, table and teetars. We spent our time to doing things like cutting the woods, sanding the surface, screwing the components together and decorating. Everything started quite roughly at first because almost no one is used to the working tools and overwhelmed by the complexity of the items. However, when the volunteers became more familiar with the workload as well as when communication was improved, the group managed to finish what we can within our ability in the context of the current situation.

Teaching was also another interesting work during our days in Phong Thanh commune. Along with the sessions in classrooms, we also had sessions outdoor, which created so much fun and memorable moments for both the kids and the teachers. At first, the number of the students was much lower then expected. But then, with the efforts of everyone, more students came to class and the number even reached up to 20 once. It cheered up everyone and teaching ended up being the most favorite job to the Singaporean volunteers.

Along with teaching and construction works, housework was also an essential part of our time in Phong Thanh. The housework team played an important part in the project by making sure everyone came home to clean living areas and good meals. Going with the cook to the market also interested our foreign fellows.

Household Visits:

Outside the primary works, the volunteers also had 2 household visiting sessions, during which we talked with the local people to get to know more about the stories of their lives, the way the get by, the struggles they are going through, etc. They were valuable moments that raised our awareness about the social responsibility as well as enabled us to appreciate what we have more.

Fishing:

We’ve got the chance to actually get into the water and caught the real fish with our hands. That day, more than 20 fishes were caught by us and we were the winner. It was by all means one of the strangest but most exciting moments as almost all of us had never done this before.

Sports Exchange:

On Sunday, we had a sporting event when we played volleyball with the volunteers from 1608. Only a few of us knew how to play but we we did happily join the matches. At the end of the day, it was not about winning or losing the game anymore, and what really mattered was that we got to know each other more and had more friends.

Library Event:

It was for sure one of the most interesting parts of the journey, in which we had the chance to organize an outdoor event for the kids to have fun. The evening before the event day, we realized the local kids were not informed about the event yet. Then, the Vietnamese volunteers and the EVG members went together to the households and the library to inform the kids about the event. It was a huge joy for all of us seeing the children coming to the library that day. With our 3 games (and other games of 1608), we were able to get the kids engaged in the activities. Looking at how cheerful they were when coming home with gifts in their hands really makes us feel so happy.

Culture Night:

Culture Night was the night of performances from the locals, EVG and also the Singaporean volunteers. The Vietnamese volunteers also joined with our Singaporean fellows in a song about friendship. It was definitely one of the most remarkable moments of the journey. After that, we had the campfire when everyone gathered around the fire dancing, singing and holding hands in friendship and unity.

Reflection and Bonding games:

We had only 3 joint reflections during the journey, during which we sit back together and shared with each other our feelings. Throughout the project, we tried to get closer by playing the bonding games known as BUDDY-BUDDER and Confessions. The moments when the BUDDER was revealed and the confessions was read out were definitely those that stay in our mind in years to come.

The duration of 14 days of project 1610 actually did leave us the impression, unforgettable memories and experiences. The EVG volunteers became closer and closer over the general meetings, working time and joint reflections, dissent to understand each other better day by day, to listen to self-improve and develop. Despite our leaving Phong Thanh, our sharing love, friendship, empathy… are always there in the palm of each person.

1. Project Overview

 Name: NEW HORIZON

Time: 17/05/2016 – 27/05/2016

Location: Phong Thạnh Commune, Cầu Kè District, Trà Vinh Province

Participants: NEW HORIZON is the first project in which EVG works with American students, cooperating with Peacework organization. Participants are 5 students and 2 teachers from Hendrix College, 1 Peacework staff along with 4 Vietnamese volunteers (including 1 EVG member)

Achievements:

+ Finished 1 Kitchen at CVC. This kitchen will be used to cook free meals for local kids in the future.

+ Taught English for local primary school’s kids.

+ Conducted Mobile Library Service for local kids

+ Visited 4 difficult households and joined farming session which is guided by an agriculture expert in the commune.

1. Working Process

The first 2 days:

17/05/2016, EVG volunteers and Ms.Mai Anh (EVG Vice President) met Peacework representative and Hendrix College teachers and volunteers at Cosmopolitan Hotel 191 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa St., Dist.3. We introduced ourselves and started to discuss more details about the project’s activities, then had dinner and went sight-seeing the sity by night.

18/05/2016, we departed to visit Tay Ninh Province and Cu chi tunnel.

The working days in Phong Thanh:

In the morning 19/05/2016, we departed to Phong Thạnh Commune. We attended Welcoming Ceremony and have a brief interview with Mr.Tuan – President of the Commune. In the afternoon, we went visit the local market and some households in the area to learn more about the life and the culture there.

The day later, volunteers started working.

It was a bit difficult for volunteers in getting used to building work. For most of us, that was the first time doing the construction. However, after taking good efforts observing and trying, we finally know how to mix the cement and apply it on to the walls. Later days, we were very excited in painting the walls with white paint, and all of us were happy seeing the achievement we had made.

Teaching English at primary school achieved good and positive results. Lesson plans were creative and teaching activities were very inspiring and fascinating to the pupils. There were songs, games and experiments to help the kids memorize new words as well as to help them learn more about physics, biology, and environment.

The Mobile Library Service for local kids was also effective and interesting. The purpose of this activity was to inspire kids to read books and, at the same time, let them interact more with the volunteers, therefore help them build self-confidence. We read out loud books, then acting some plays according to the stories in the books. The kids then also chose their favorite books and read them out loud. Local kids were excited, especially with the funny play “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” acted by Hendrix team.

In the last day staying in Phong Thanh, we had a farming session, guided by an agriculture expert in the commune. This helped us learn more about the agricultural activities there. Then we came to visit and gave some presents to 4 difficult households. People we met and stories we heard in each family leaf us with many deep thinking and feeling.

Culture Night:

Final days in the commune were the beginning of rainy season in the Mekong Delta area. What our volunteers had worried about finally happened: the culture night which was supposed to be taken place at the Phong Thanh A Primary School yard had to be canceled because of the rain. But this, however, became what made the culture night of our project became such a special one ever. Being permitted to use the People Committee’s Hall, we all performed our best what we had prepared with the enthusiastic support and cheer from 1608 Project’s volunteers which were doing their projects at the same time in the commune. There were no professional sounds and lightings. There were no microphones and speakers. There were no speeches and reports. But there were times we volunteers of both projects came on stages to perform together. That was a great and unforgettable night because of friendliness and enthusiasm of multinational young ones, without differentiating between projects and nationalities. That was a real Culture Night!

We together sang and performed the Cup Song, with the rhythm and the lyrics which are now still replaying in our head:

“I’ve got my ticket for the long way ’round

Two bottle whiskey for the way

And I sure would like some sweet company

And I’m leaving tomorrow. What d’you say?”

Beside  working days, volunteers also had the chance to discover the culture and lifestyle in Tra Vinh Province (in specific) as well as in the Mekong Delta (in general) by visiting local temples, Ba Dong beach, enjoying coconut candies, various kinds of fruits as well as traditional music performances in the four famous islands in Mekong Delta.

All of the above-mentioned activities, trips, experience, together with unforgettable reflection sessions, have become valuable lessons, great memories, as well as a special part of each volunteer’s youth.

III. Volunteer’s thought after project

(From Ngan Nguyen, volunteer of NEW HORIZON project – ECO Vietnam Group)

NEW HORIZON is my 4^th project volunteering at EVG. It all started from an evening when I saw Ms. Chau – supervisor of my first project 3 years ago in Gia Bac shared  Mr. Harry’s post about additional recruitment for NEW HORIZON project. I applied, received a phone call from EVG’s HR department within the night, and became volunteers for the project the day later.

It was quite a special project because it was the first project in which EVG worked with volunteers coming from America, with the cooperating from third party Peacework Organization. This not only created the new points for the projects but also challenged our volunteers because we need to figure out a clear and effective way to cooperate in work as well as to deliver information between parties. Moreover, the cultural differences between America and Vietnam are much more than between Singapore and Vietnam.

The biggest lessons I learnt during 16S1 project are: first – just only when you step out of your comfort zone can you know what you really can do; and second – the support from teammate is very valuable. That was the time when I really couldn’t catch up the whole team when we practiced for the cup song. I was about to give up, but then Mai Anh realized that, looked straight into my eyes and said “Jenny, don’t give up!”. I started to try again and in the end I could catch up with the others in just about 5 minutes later. That was in a reflection session when I admitted I was not good at kids, and the day later I could magically stand in front of the class and manage to have the pupils focus on the lessons. I even enjoyed playing with them later on.

One more special thing is that it was almost the same time like in 3 years ago, I was in Gia Bắc for my first project with EVG.

3 years ago was Gia Bắc, 2 years ago was Phương Thịnh, and this year is Phong Thạnh. I recognize that no where, no matter when, every journey does give me lessons, every project does change me and inspire me a lot.

You go, you live, you learn. Thank you EVG!

1. Project overview

Name: Twinkle drops -1606

Time: 15/5-29/5

Location: Long Duc commune, Tra Vinh city, Tra Vinh province

Participants: 21 volunteers from National University of Singapore and 5 Vietnamese volunteers (including 2 EVG members)

1.Tasks and achievements

– Install 20 water storage bags

– Teach grade 5 students  in Long Duc B primary school.

– Visit 8 households

– Sport and cultural exchange with local youth

2. Activities of the project
3. Before the project

This is the very first time that everyone get to know each other so that there is a lack of understanding and integrity to support the team. Evrything to prepare for the project is a lot to name, whereas activities as well as stdy at university almost take up all the time, some are iverloaded with final exam. Therefore, too many deadlines have put a great pressure on them, and some feel a bit demotivated.Still, there is Han, who always supports us so each of us feel obliged to try our utmost to meet all requirements. Gradually, we seem to get closer and share the difficulties to work more efficiently. However, this is the first time we, all join in such an international project so that, we still lack experience in doing report, preparation in planning logistics list and action plan. As a result, all requirements and expectations of EVG cant be met. After finishing all the tasks, we just thought it fine. But when reporting with EVG representative, we come in for quite a lot of complaint and criticism. Since this is the first time that has to make the 3^rd report, compared with other project just have to make 2. All of our team feel quite a bit worried. Before the project takes place, we all encourage one another that we will commit till the end at all costs.

1. During the project.

On the 1^st day, we gather at Tan Son Nhat airport to pick Singaporean volunteers up. Everything went smoothly this the assistance of Ms.Yen from taking photos to directing them onto the bus to head for Long Duc commune.

We reach Long Duc at 8 pm. We altogether tidy up the sleeping hall, mop the floor and carpets. Everything is supposed to be finished at 12, but beyond expectations, Steam and Vteam collaborate extremely smoothly, and get thing done at exactly 9. During only 1 hour , everybody all get exhausted but still have fun and excitement.

On 16/05, the Welcome Ceremony was also organized by the local authority in a friendly and warm manner.

Then the group had its first household visiting session. All the life stories and sharing about everyday’s life of the locals were touching and eye-opening. They helped all the volunteers, especially the Singaporeans, to gain an insight into the living conditions of Long Duc commune as well as the cultural characteristics of southern Vietnam’s rural communities.

The first week was on installing water storage bags, despite the fact that each household has different location, as well as the extreme of weather, rain all day long, but no one cared. The two teams enthusiastically work their hardest with the They treated us coconuts, so that our spirit is always high, And it is really a success. They treated us coconuts, so that our spirit is always high, And it is really a success.

The next week was on teaching students in Long Duc B primary school. They are hardworking and study quite quickly so, the study flow is smooth and comfortable and fun as well. During the lesson, there is a co-opporation between the children and volunteers. All the students get engaged a lot and so excited, they attend class fully.

Moreover, sport exchange with local youth and culture night are fully attended with the presence of Vteam and Steam and local people . All activities are filled with excitement and laughter.

The last two days were spent on Rest and relax , the two teams took a tour around  Mekong delta , Ben Thanh market and war remnant museum, These are the last time that Steam stayed in Vietnam before flying back to their country. Everyone was almost moved to tears, they feel touched by the colorful letters given out to one another, because they miss they time they spend together, of working and sharing all stories and reflection nights.

3. Thoughts after the project.

Though there are some obstacles in preparation as well as getting complained, we feel quite overwhelmed, but the project finally turns out to be fruitfull, quite a success and a fulfillment to what we have been through. Vteam and Steam get closer and there is  a lot to remember about 1606.

Project 1604 : “BE A CHANGE”

1. Introduction

Project: BE A CHANGE

Time : 09/05/2016 – 23/05/2016

Location : Phong Phú commune, Cầu Kè district,  Trà Vinh province.

Participants: 25 students from Nanyang Technological University – Hall 8 and 6 Vietnamese volunteers (including 1 EVG member).

Activities:

+ Installing 5 biogas systems for 5 different households

+ Teaching English and personal hygiene for students from Phong Phú A primary school.

+ Doing house work

BE A CHANGE is a community project in Phong Phu commune with the participation of 25 students from Nanyang Technological University – Hall 8 and 5 Vietnamese volunteers and 1 ECO Vietnam Group member.

Main activities during the project are: Welcoming foreign students, leaving to Phong Phu commune, setting up living area, conducting welcome ceremony, taking part in bonding games, teaching English, installing biogas systems, doing housework, fishing, exchanging sport activity with locals, visiting underprivileged households, organsing culture night.

1. Process

The first 3 days:

Afternoon 09/05/2016, 5 Vietnamese volunteers, Khuê (EVG member), and Harry (Founder of EVG) were at the airport to welcome all Singaporean students from Nanyang technological University – Hall 8. We took pictures and had our first meal together.

Day 10/05/2016, on the way to Phong Phu commune, we had another chance to talk with other team, play some bus activities. Our first lunch together was in Phong Phu.

After lunch, we started to setting up our living area. Although it was a bit messy, everyone did their best to make it on time. The welcome ceremony was conducted in a friendly way.

Bonding games after that also gave us a chance to get to know each other.

Day 11/05/2016 we got started by participating in the first main activity, teaching English. The first session was very interesting and exciting for all students. After noticing that there were some mistake, we made a short brief and the second session that afternoon was smoother. Later that day, we had our first joint reflection to discuss and prepare for the following day.

Normal working days in Phong Phu:

Teaching is the first and the most memorable activity of this voluntary project. During 3 days, knowledge was imparted to the children little by little. Moreover, with the combination of playing and studying, volunteers have created in them interests and motivations toward studying English. Our passions and endeavors in teaching have helped to form a strong bond with local students. Because of that, the moment of saying good bye in the last day was very sad and touching.

Following the teaching activity, volunteers started to install Biogas bags for each registered households. In this section, we encountered a lot of obstacles, both internal and external challenges. Undergoing difficulties made us grow up day by day. We obtained new knowledge about Biogas construction, get new experience when building gas pits or digging holes in different terrains and honing problem-solving skills when unexpected incidents happened. Besides, teamwork not only taught us how to take care of each other, but also reflected our own weaknesses and the way to cross them out. Although we have not finished our goals (5 bags out of 8 bags) , we were satisfied with our achievements and glad with what we have learned and experienced

Beside two main activities like teaching and construction work, housework team did play an important role during the whole project. We tidied up commune and prepare meals for our teammates. The moment we shared household chores with each other or gather together to play Singaporean games and tell stories, we were closed as best friends

Visiting household:

In this trip, volunteers also got a chance to visit Khmer inhabitants. Through some conversations with them, we understood how difficult their life is. More than that, we appreciated our current life more and our responsibility to community was raised as well.

   Culture night:

Thank to the wholehearted support from the commune and the well-preparation of each team, Culture night was successfully organized with diverse performances such as Vietnamese fork dance, Khmer traditional dances and songs and Singapore National song and modern dance. All of them presented distinct culture and identity of each country, which made their audiences emerge in a multi-cultural environment with cheerfulness and excitement. Campfire even added more fun to the night show. Freestyle dancing with lively music created an ever joyful atmosphere in the serene commune

Unforgettable moments:

Catching fish in the swamp is a very funny part, especially when the whole team surrounding or running after a fish

In the sport exchange day,  the competition between volunteers and local polices turned out to be a practice match since no one in the voluntary team could play volleyball well and the polices had to divide their teammates equally into two groups. Such an embarrassing experience!

In a day of visiting Khmer Pagoda, we gained a number of useful and interesting information such as the meaning of Thala flowers and its medical function, the meaning of four faces statue and what people worship in each separated temple. All of this information was presented by one of the policemen in the commune. He not only escorted us to reach that place safely but also became our tour guide in that morning

R&R activities in Ho Chi Minh city:

Visiting War Remnants Museum

Hanging around Ben Thanh night market

Visiting Cu Chi Tunnel

Volunteers’ feeling:

• Dieu:

Time flies and “Be a Change” project has ended already. However, what we have experienced in this trip will never fade away and would become valuable lesson for us to grow up.

What I appreciated most when joining this voluntary project is that I could realize my weaknesses and the way to cross it out. Because of being passive, reserved and lack of confidence, I seldom contributed ideas in each meeting and when problem happened, I didn’t know how to solve it and hesitated in making decisions. Thanks to the honest feedback of V-team members in reflection night, I began to aware of my demerit and attempt to improve it.

What surprised me most was the formation of friendship with S-team. I have never thought that in such a short time, I could become that closed with them. Their care, encouragement, and helpfulness as well as familiar mother-tongue-Mandarin not only broke the ice between us but also helped a bashful me become more sociable. The moment we played games and talked together or the memorable culture night will sometimes float over my mind with nostalgic feeling.

During the trip, the image deeply imprinted on my mind was Phong Phu commune – a place suffers from poor living conditions but still fills with human touch. 14 days have passed quickly but meaningfully. This is truly a challenging and interesting voluntary trip. I sincerely thank Eco Vietnam group for offering me this eye-opening opportunity.

• Quy:

It is well known that the use of money and material in the purpose of helping and enhancing people’ lives will only solve the problem superficially and create short term happiness. Besides, it impetes the process of the project impact to people who deserve the assistance from being measured accurately. Meanwhile, with Service Learning, you put yourself in the shoes of the community to serve them, to learn from them in order to bring long-term results for both parties. This project is only a small part in a long chain of projects to improve the awareness of local people about the environment issues and provide sustainable development. During the project, I felt that the attention of local residents on those acute problems has slightly changed in a positive way. I myself have learn a lot being resolved difficulties occurred in the project and receiving sincere feedback from all members. I wholeheartedly hope the upcoming projects will be more successful, get more interest from both local and the young.