ORANGE- Moving on, putting the past behind and being Positive & Optimistic:): July 2008

Oh my my! I am back again...all the way from June. This will be for the past events that had happened for the past few weekends (which had caused me not to be able to go for Scouts). Here it begins:

International Baccalaureate and Interact Club Service trip to Chiangmai, Thailand. Date:8th to 13th June, Sunday – Friday.

Before you continue reading the rest of the letter/reflection, I really like to say a big THANK YOU to my parents. I appreciate all that you both have done for me. Going for the Chiang Mai Service trip wasn’t just solely just for CAS hours but learning and experiencing something that was once far away from my comfort zone.

Once I saw the village and the living quarters and the toilet, I started complaining to myself why I chose to come for the trip. I started to think about the horrible plight I will be in for the next few days. I forgot I was a scout and had done and lived in conditions much worst than that. Oh well, nothing could be done and I had to embrace myself and get on with the trip. After all, it was I who signed up for the trip. Throughout the trip, every activity was filled with fun laughter and lessons to learn. Every activity is worth remembering. The truck ride up the mountain was really fun, something like the four wheel drive we had at ‘Jarung Bisu’. In this trip, nothing is more memorable than being with friends.

Day 2’s activity was making the frames for the adobe bricks. It was amazing to see how the tribesman was able to use a small piece of bamboo to measuring the wooden planks and that these people made use of /recycled whatever materials/wooden planks they had. The same man was able to do amazing stuff with the wood that just causes me to ‘aw’ and see how smart he is. We went back to basics. ACS students moved into the school building where the living conditions improved a tenfold. A cold bath was so refreshing that it really caused me to become energetic.
Following dinner was a dance practice which was for the final night’s campfire.

Day 3 was brick making. We dug a really huge hole in the earth. It was tiring but we completed it! Following the digging of the hole was the mixing of the raw materials for the adobe bricks. And in order to mix the bricks, we had to enter the hole/pit and step with our bare feet. I was reluctant to go in at first but later went in after some persuasion and seeing two other friends going in. Once inside and stepping in the materials, it became really really fun. The highlight of the day was throwing rice husk at the teacher, Madam Ong. After mixing the materials was having them placed in the frames that had been made the previous day. Carrying the mixed materials to the frames was heavy and once again tiring. Then in the night, we had to practice for the campfire dance again. On this day, life at the village was getting better and l was starting to like it.

Day 4, I wanted to teach in the morning and go for the royal project in the afternoon. But my plans failed. I had to make the adobe bricks again. I was tired and reluctant to do so. But once my engine started, I happily carried on. But because of the sores on my legs, I couldn’t go in to the pit and mix the materials again. I saw my friends doing it and pitied myself. After we had finished placing the adobe into the frames, we finally left our mark of behind by carving out our names on the bricks. Following brick making was lunch and the royal project. Halfway through the royal project, while we were about to climb up the terraces, it started raining. That made it difficult for us to climb up the slopes due to the slippery and muddy earth. And when it finally poured heavily and we all got drenched, I was once again complaining. But it was fun at the same time. Really fun! And at least we did a good deed by planting that special crop that will helping the people economically and the ecosystem. By planting the crops the way the farmers do, it enables me to experience how tiring it can be, thus not wanting to waste food anymore. This crop that we planted could one day become the food on my dining table as after all, 70% of the fruits and vegetables from the mountain gets exported to Singapore.

Following the Royal project was the campfire/ culture exchange. The villagers came dressed in their traditional clothing. The villages did their item while ACS had our dance. We had fireworks. The night ended with us having to light up paper lanterns which were sent to the heavens. Each one wrote a special wish which were tied onto the lanterns. They were interesting. ACS had 5 successful launches while others failed some.

Day 5, the last day at the village. I did some teaching. From that very short peiod of time, I could see that the children were really smart though playful. It is such a pity that they might not get the opportunity to get a good future like us, unless our wishes come true. The children were really cute and adorable. After we left the village, it was shopping time...night market

It was a blessing to go for the trip. From the trip, I really learnt a lot. I have learnt to appreciate life, treasure what I have, my family and friends and school and not take what I have for granted. To study hard and have a bright future as there is still many out there who hope for the same life. To learn lots of money so that I could help those in need/ less fortunate as there’s many people out there who are still suffering and wanting a better life. What saddens me in this trip as said by Uncle Leslie, the children that are lucky get to work in the fields while those unlucky get sold to the bars, etc. for US$500 if their parents are really in need of money. This is really really sad and unimaginable. Children that we see now, so cute and adorable get turned into slaves that serve and satisfy the needs of others.

From the trip, it was an eye opener, experiencing something that I wouldn’t have experience in Singapore and living the way the villagers did. I discovered that I really like children and that I like to help others and want to do more charitable work. And at least we all did our part in helping improve the lives of the people in any small way that we could possibly contribute. The Best Is Yet To Be.