November 9, 2013 by ECO Vietnam Group

1204 – Fire Up Project

This project has been a great blessing for the Phuong Thinh community and the participants as they managed to refurbishing 3 classrooms and an ECO Love House. This project cannot be completed without the hardwork of youth from Hall 14 Nanyang Technological University Singapore and volunteers from ECO Vietnam Group.

The project was conducted in Phương Thịnh commune, Cao Lãnh , Đồng Tháp District, Vietnam – where the common life is living with flood, poverty and making end meets days by days among difficulites in education , transportation any many more.

Morning 14.6.2012, volunteers form ECO Vietnam Group started the project by picking up our lovely Singaporean friends from Nanyang University of Technology . After months of working together online preparing for the project, it was pleasant to finally meet each others. The greating and welcoming were covered with delight and excitement for the journey we’d shared in the next few weeks in Phuong Thinh commune.

Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airpot 14/6/2012

Welcome Ceremony in Phuong Thinh commune
– The peolpe committee

For almost all the volunteers, participating in Fire Up project was a new experience. They had the chance to work hard as a constructor. Things seemed to be easy at first turned to be extremely challenging, from carrying tons of bricks, mixing cement to bending iron and building walls, etc. Even though hardship existed in every works, our volunteers always showed the best attitude and responsibility. They pushed through all obstacles, ignored the burning sun, the unexpected rains to finish their job. What gave them the strength was the thought of a better life the people in Phuong Thinh would possibly have thanked to their hard-works.

Happiness shines on these faces when building up a house by their own hands

Carrying tons of bricks and always put a smile on their faces.

Came to Phuong Thinh commune, at first it was understandable to expect the burning sun in here would shut down all the excitement and determine. Nonetheless, it only made our volunteers’ enthusiastic burned even brighter. Along with building house for the poor households, our volunteers in Fire Up project also re-furnished many classrooms for the young generation in Phuong Thinh. They put their hearts in every single works. Seeing them carefully painted doors by doors, planted trees by trees were precious scenery could be found during those days in Phuong Thinh commune.

Painting doors by doors

Also in the project, our volunteers came and visited many poor households in Phuong Thinh commune. Each visit helped them to understand more of the harsh lives in this poor land.

Beside all the working hours during Fire Up project, the volunteers still found time to create many unforgettable memories together and with the lovely people in Phuong Thinh as well. From culture exchange stories during house-works to friendly football match with the commune’s boys , their friendship grew into a loving , unbreakable tie across countries.

Football match with the commune’s boys.

After the project, although the weather condition was harsh and facilities weren’t any close enough, with loving hearts and volunteerism nature , our volunteers had planted 100 trees, re-furnished 3 schools, visited 3 households, taught English to poor children and built one ECO Love House. These contributions, even though are small but they are the start of hope for a better life, better future in Phuong Thinh. That’s the precious achievement all volunteers in Fire Up project did.

In the farewell party, all the kids in the commune and the volunteers were in the brink of tear for saying goodbye and soon be apart. However, knowing the love that the people in Phuong Thinh had for them, our volunteers started longing for the reunion day, one day, in the not so far future

Farewell ceremony and Culture exchange party

Volunteers and the lovely kids in Phuong Thinh

“Fire Up” only lasted for 10 days, but all the things our volunteers left behind will forever stay in Phuong Thinh. A short journey in term of time but is endless in each individual mind. This is the journey that EVG volunteers and NTU students will never forget.

November 9, 2013 by ECO Vietnam Group

1107 – English Teaching Project

In 2011, ECO Vietnam Group (EVG) with the help of the Singapore’s National Institute of Education (NIE) had successfully conducted an education project named- “English Teaching” in Hoa Mau Don Open house in Tân Phú District, HCMC Vietnam. In this project, EVG volunteers worked closely with 12 college students from Singapore to teach English to the children in the Open House, whose English knowledge at the time was very little.

This project offered a change to a better future for the children, since English has become more and more important in Vietnam nowadays. We hope that giving this English education project will improve their English skill. As a paid back for all the tireless efforts from the volunteers, the students were hard working and eager to learn more. This positive response became the motivation for all the volunteers to make this project success.

In addition, the volunteers also cooked for the Open House frequently. They understood how important it was for their students to have meals to be healthy and able to study in their best shape and also it was a precious memory to them -seeing how joyful and happy the children were having a delicious meal with all of their favourite foods.

On the other hand, in free time, our volunteers organized games for the kids and played with them. They shared it made them feel so happy and much younger while playing with their student. Those free time games was the best way to relax after long period of teaching and learning English for all of the volunteers and their little students.

Even though what the volunteers did was just a small contribution to make their students’ futures a bit brighter but the meaning and the love behind all of those action were viral. They had succeeded to teach the students- not only English- but also- the importance in having a solid education base to grow bigger in life. This project was also a proof for the children in Hoa Mau Don Open House that there were still people care for them , love them and willing to help them.

After the project, all the volunteers still keep in touch with the children they taught, in a short period of time, they had grown into each other with all the memories they shared, all the fun they had. Therefore, “Goodbye” is not an option. The volunteers will always remember children in Hoa Mau Don Open House and the children will miss their teachers, certainly.

November 9, 2013 by ECO Vietnam Group

1105 – Step Up Project

In November 2012, STEP UP is the initial campaign of the year in the Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP), a cooperated annual activity between EVG and Singapore educational institutions. This is our third time to hold Nanyang Girl’s High School in Phuong Thinh rural area, Dong Thap province.

This time, EVG was pleased to collaborate with 6 teachers and 39 students from Nanyang Girl’s High school. Before departing to Phuong Thinh destination, our local volunteers together with participants from Singapore were warmed up by some interesting activities in Ho Chi Minh city.

The first place in the city tour was the War Remnants Museum, a renowned attraction that contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. In addition, in order to give our Singaporean fellows an insight into Vietnamese school life, we decided to visit Ba Dinh Secondary school in district 7 and indeed had a cozy culture exchange there. The city tour in HCMC was not only enjoyable but also gave the foreigner volunteers a great chance to explore more about Vietnam.

Step Up team in War Remnants Museum

Memorable time with Ba Dinh Secondary students

In the dawn of November 19th, after a two-hour car trip, we arrived at peaceful Phuong Thinh rural area.

From November 20th-24th:

With the intent to reach the targeted goals, all tasks were divided up among 6 different groups. In other words, each group was in charge with a main duty such as building houses for a poor families, teaching English for young children, planting trees along roads, preparing meals at home and consolidating the road surface. In addition, tasks were switched between teams everyday so that everyone could experience and contribute to different parts of work. Through daily life, the local people here and our Step Up team were getting closer to each other and somehow, we felt like we were living in another big family!

Who says girls cannot build house?

After 4 days straight of hard-working and devotion, we were surprised by our own achievements, remarkably was the reinforcement of 2 houses, 150 planted trees along the road, the consolidation of village roads and above all was the happiness of Phuong Thinh citizens. Little was our contribution to the wealth of this needy remote area, yet we have brought here the belief for a brighter future.

Young children were very fond of studying English with us!

November 9, 2013 by ECO Vietnam Group

1104 – New Discovery Project

After a long time, the student of Nanyang Girl High School came back Vietnam to work for New Discovery project (from 29/5 to 6/6/2012) in Loc Khanh commune, Binh Phuoc province. They love Vietnam country for sure and hope to make the poor’s lives be better with EVG together.

ECO Vietnam Group volunteers welcomed the girls with brightly smiles of early summer days. We wish this journey would have a lot of beautiful memories and experient lessons OCIP.

When coming to Vietnam, they visited many famous places in Ho Chi Minh city, especially, War Remnants Museum – which had save the magnanimous marks in our war periods resisted France and USA. Everyone was so excited to listen to tourguide’s report about some important historical events. They also took some picture there.

As soon as be present at Loc Khanh commune, they have a meeting with Board of Local Leader. They had an interesting conversation about group’s works that was to come.

A meeting at Loc Khanh Commune

In our program at Loc Khanh commune, teaching English is a indispensable work. The room which had been decorated was used as classroom for children. It’s quite small, but so crowded. Despites hot weather, children pay their attention to lessons. They not only learn by heart so boring, the girls had prepared many lovely gifts that make all kids tried to outdo the others in answering questions.

They are painting the English classroom

At the time the girls of Nanyang Girl High School stayed there, this local was opening an event for actions because of Vietnamese children. To prepare for this ceremony, volunteers had to spend lots of time, even night to have nice presents for kids. Most of them were books and learning materials which were wrapped so carefully, looked very beautiful.

Everyone was preparing gifts for children.

They got up very early to make ready for “Kick-off summer activities – Action month for children” ceremony. After arranging tables and chairs for the seats of audiences, they immediately built the stage. The children were also present at their position for performances. They looked so nervous as well as happy. This was also the separation day to Nanyang Girl High School students. The last day became warmer and closer.

The children was performing a folk dance.

The days working together, living and sharing with local people were passing over. We hope Loc Khanh commune will develop faster and the children will have better study conditions in the near future.

November 9, 2013 by ECO Vietnam Group

1103 – Pass On Project

The project called PASS ON. True to its name this meaningful project includes a series of activities connected with the desire to achieve results from the RISE project. Occur within 6 days 31/05/2011-05/06/2011, along with 29 high school students Hwa You Chong, 12 EVG volunteers, the project provided a lot of supports to the local, especially children, through practical and highly effective activities such as teaching and assisting the work of the local people Thinh Phuong commune, Cao Lanh district in Dong Thap

1. Participate in meetings organized by local committee

Through a long way to Phuong Tinh, everyone seemed tired. However, this feeling quickly passed when we saw what the local government has prepared for the union: a cozy gathering at the headquarters of the People’s Committees of communes. We received the heartfelt thanks as well as provide information about the actual condition of Phuong Thinh, local changes from the most recent project of EVG.

2. Mending schools, cleaning classrooms

The work was conducted in two days 1 and 2/6. With the guidance of the local people, the volunteers in the group had an unforgettable experience. Crossing over 10km journey by boat to reach Phuong Thinh II primary school, this is the first time we traveled by this means. The initial fear was replaced by sympathy with the struggle of students wanting to go to school here.

On that day, thanks to all the energetic of everyone, we have finished cleaning, scrubbing and sanding primer the entire door and iron railings, paint the entire outside wall and inside the room school; rearrange entire furniture. Although everyone is sweating on the environment but are beaming smile knowing that the next day, the students will be learning in the bright and clean classrooms

3. Teaching

Innocent face, her eyes filled with excitement, the kids were listening intently to every word of the lecture of the volunteer about English lessons with subject: “Body Parts” and “dish food, drinks and fruit. “Standing in front these kids, the volunteers tried their best to convey a fairly easy way to lessons with the children in all patience and love. Though not much time teaching, but we’re glad to see that we have to arouse passion in their academic.

Helping with local’s work

4. Visit local houses

The group had visited poor families in Phuong Thinh. The volunteers did not mind the distance to each house to give small gifts were prepared. They talked, shared with local people for the purpose of better understanding the difficulties of their thoughts. Through these conversations the relationship between volunteers and people have become a lot closer.

Cultural Night

On the last day, as we saw off the Singaporean, everyone was sad. Across the tears, handshakes, hugs close … But while waving goodbye from deep heart, people believe that day will soon meet again.

The project gives volunteers meaningful memories, the memories will surely follow them throughout their lives.

Sincere feelings of the volunteers had to be with the locals. From the initial shyness, they were open, ready to trust, love and sharing.

With all the activities taken together, we make sure that the project has contributed to building relationships deep emotional attachment between people from two countries: Vietnam, Singapore. And: “We’ll meet again, some day.”

November 5, 2013 by ECO Vietnam Group

Sharing

“GiaBac trip is a platform which I achieved many practical lessons without being taught in school, participated in teamwork, and established many new relationshipS with local volunteers and international volunteers coming from Duman High School in Singapore.

All of my memories in GiaBac will be everlasting in my whole mind. It always reminds me the role of youth in my community nowadays.”

Kim Ngan, Participant from Vietnam

“I witness the poverty…how people actually survive with just a few US dollars per day,…., how confined they are such that they don’t know what is happening outside the world, how cruel and harsh reality can be at the other side of the world and so on.

But through this trip, i have really learnt a lot about the significance of service, which has really changed my outlook on life for the better. I think it is really time to review my role in my community, i want to be more active.”

Student from Saint Andrew Junior College, Singapore

“The conviction to help his community has made Harry Pham the founder, an outstanding youth leader in my eyes. He is always willing to give of his time to ensure that our students have a meaningful community project as well as provide

opportunities for their growth. His tireless work in Vietnam to change the mindsets of the youths and undergraduates in servant leadership is a Herculean task that he has taken on without any complaint and at great personal sacrifices.

I am proud to call Harry a friend, someone who shares my ideal of making the world a better place, one youth at a time.”

Lily Chua, Head of Humanities and History Department of Nanyang Girls’ High School

As soon as we got to say “Hello”, the next moment we were holding back saying “Goodbye”. Everything within me yearns to go back to Phuong Thinh and continue working in the hearts of the children there, to give them greater hope of a better future. But I will not cry my heart out at this – for I know that the children there now know that there are people who care for them and love them, which is all they need to have their dreams fulfilled.

The only words that are left for me to say are “Thank You”. Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible, thank you to all the volunteers who came with us, thank you to the children who taught us so much more than we could give you, and thank you everyone else who joined me in this trip. I will cherish both the bitter and sweet memories of the time we had in Phuong Thinh.

(Joel Fluffy Pony Tan, Hwa Chong student – Pass On Project)

House for Hope was an unforgettable and hectic experience, the amount of sweat, hard work or even the minute details such as the sudden attack of an enormous centipede, were more than what I could have imagined. Despite this, at the end I felt a great sense of satisfaction when I saw the smile of happiness and gratefulness from the house owner, Ka Hoi. Although it was probably just a simple gesture of appreciation, it made me feel all our effort was worthwhile.

(Winnie Peck, Saint Advocate, Young For Cause Project 2011)

Indubitably, if there was one thing particularly meaningful I took away from this trip, it is appreciation of whatever I have. I left Singapore as an insatiable individual, but making friends with the kids and Vietnamese volunteers improved my character.

The frustrating reality of our measly 6-day Vietnam trip did nothing to help the situation. That said, I will stop crying my heart out, take what I need and be on my way. Here is a sincere thank-you to everyone who has made this trip a positive experience. Much as I’d like to round this up with something extraordinarily cheesy, I am just glad to have been part of this trip since the very first step, that’s all. Adios and peace out.

I miss all the kids and volunteers.

(Max Yoong, Hwa Chong student – Pass On Project)

October 30, 2013 by ECO Vietnam Group

1101 – House For Hope Project

Project “House For Hope” was taken from 26/5/2011 to 4/6/2011 with the desire to:

Raise awareness about the harmful effects of smoke from the kitchen
Change cooking habits near the bed
Receive new lifestyle: build a separate kitchen space
Take advantage of the fresh air at home

After three months of testing, for the first time, EVG finally applied teaching English in Gia Bac. The students participate in English classes. Beside learning English, they also got to learn about personal hygiene. Through encouraging them daily brushing, bathing, nail clippers, pedicure and wash hands before every meal, the group wanted to send a message to the children: hygiene will help the body healthy.

In addition, the Group also guided students in computing basic knowledge like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Paint. Before each lesson, Singapore students and Vietnam volunteers discussed, prepareed lesson plans and other outdoor activities. During school hours, through the friendly and easy way of communication, students became more bold and exciting. The class quickly connected to the group a most natural way.

Playing “Simon Says”

Before “House for Hope”, we continued to meet families Ka ‘M System in the previous project to introduce the goals of the project. The team succeeded in explaining the harmful effects of smoke kitchen and convince families to build separate cooking area for sleeping. Right after that, the group conducted to help families build new kitchen behind the house with “construction workers” are students. With enthusiasm, the Group has overcome the initial difficulties, wasn’t afraid to take up work under the sweltering heat and heavy rains. After the hard work, the kitchen was built in the happiness of Mo Ka He and the group.

Putting the closet togerther for Ka’ M Hệ

Putting the closet together for Ka’ M Hệ

House For Hope Project has brought on the first “International Children Day festival” for the children in Gia Bac. People can feel the joy of the children being awarded many prizes from the fund that were dedicated build.

Despite bad weather, the program still takes place in its entirety. In the future, the group will try to organize more similar events significant to help them better integrate into the community.

What is OSL?

I. What is OSL?

OSL stands for Overseas Service Learning.
It is a program from Foreigner’ schools and Universities, in which, a group of elected and trained students are send to developing countries to do community projects. This model is preferred as Service Learning. This is why OSL project is called Overseas Service Learning Projects.

OCIP is a not-unfamiliar phrase with oversea students.

ECO Vietnam Group is proud to be the host for these projects in Vietnam since we were first established in 2009. Together with our partners from Singapore, we have made more than 20 successful OSL projects in poor regions and ethnic minority communities around Vietnam to make a better life and education in these areas.

OSL projects also have another name such as Regional Community Involvement Project or Overseas Service Learning where overseas students to come to Vietnam for providing the support and at the same time to learn from the community. It strictly follow the model called Service Learning.

II. What we have done

In each OCIP, our partners and we have worked for months of research (includes reece trips), preparation and training to come up with the best plan and the best solution for our 2 weeks working in the chosen region.
Since each OCIP has different targets, each with different needs, therefore our projects serve various causes depend on the actual needs of these areas.
For more than 3 years, our Singaporean and Vietnamese volunteers (all are students) have done many jobs from painting classrooms, repairing houses to building roads, kitchens, houses, toilets, and teaching as well, etc.

Harvesting coffee bean in Youth Project.

III. Where have we been?

+ GiaBắc commune , Di Linh, LâmĐồng province , Vietnam

+ PhươngThịnh commune,Cao Lãnh, ĐồngTháp province, Vietnam

+ TânQuới commune , ThanhBình, ĐồngTháp province, Vietnam

+ An Hiệp commune, Ba Tri, Bến Tre provine, Vietnam

+ Lộc Khánh Commune, Lộc Ninh, Bình Phước province, Vietnam

Girls from Paya Lebar Methodist School were building road in Phuong Thinh Commune (Dong Thap province).

IV. Who have we worked with?

Universities:

+ Nanyang Technological University
+ National University of Singapore
+ Singapore Management University
+ National Institute of Education

High schools:

+ Hwa Chong Junior College
+ Saint Andrew Junior College
+ Dunman High School

Secondary schools:

+ PayaLebar Methodist School
+ Nanyang Girl High School

During our five years in action, 1,037 Singaporean students and 708 Vietnamese young people have participated in our projects, with a total spending of 286,739 USD for contributing to community service and education. We have received awards and merit certificates from the government for numerous projects. More than 700 Singaporean teachers and students, 200 Vietnamese volunteers, 30 ECO Vietnam Group members.

Teaching English for children.

v. What have we got?

Through these projects, our young generation of Singaporean and Vietnamese students has had the opportunity to experience a new –different world, to adapt into a different life routine to make friends across countries, to understand, learn and grow together.

Thanks to all the life lessons they achieve from the people they served, from their teachers, EVG’s advisor, their friends and also their self’s criticism during the project, these volunteers have become more confident, responsible and extremely enthusiastic with community service.

They were working very hard like real briklayers! – Building the IT room for Gia Bac secondary school

AND ALSO

[Until 7/2012]

+ 1 IT library room values more than 100 million VND for a Secondary School in Gia Bac commune.
+ 1 school-yard (800 meter square) for a secondary school in Tan Quoi Commune.
+ 3.5km road.
+ 5 kitchens.
+ 3 ECO Love Houses for the poor in Phuong Thinh commune.
+ 500 trees.
+ 1000 kg rice for the poor.
+ 1,325,500,000VND
+ 3 Letters of Appreciation from Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front – Cao Lanh District, the People Committee- Phuong Thinh Commune and Association of Vietnamese Youth League – Cao Lanh District.

OCIPs 2009 – 1/ 2013