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Saturday, November 29, 2008

11:47 AM


Hi guys, Leonard's back!
and Leonard's not very happy. =(

First and foremost, I feel very sad that 14 days came to such an end so quickly and we're back in Singapore, back to reality. Ultimately, we have to accept reality and move on with our life.

I've learnt quite a handful from you guys out there, the schools, people we've interacted with during house visits and of course, the teachers. Definitely, everything's different the moment we set foot into Yunnan, we've gotta be responsible for not only ourself, but for every other member's safety (my group as well in my case).

Okay, let me start proper. First, the trip has taught me how to be content with what one has and not to lust after material possessions. For once, I was really amazed at how 田超 could be so happy-go-lucky, playing with marbles?! I was thinking: Is marbles really that fun? Won't he get bored of it? Then a few of us joined in and played together with him. I guess it wasn't really about how fun it was, but rather, how much you enjoy the process and treasure the 'rewards' from the game. It is only when you take pride and love the game that makes it fun and interesting; it is no longer how expensive or how technology-savy it is. When i came back to Singapore, I wasn't really affected by 'cool' stuff anymore, for it was till now that I realised material possessions no longer make any huge difference in my life, and I'm thankful I learnt that soon enough in Yunnan before I further sink into this abyss of fashionable goods.

Next, being the Games IC alongside Bing Hao was a tough process. When we reached Yunnan, then the real thing began. I wasn't able to accept the fact that all the games we planned did not turn out as ideal as we foresee. And to change our logistics and the way to play the games at the very last minute, it was like our efforts completely went down the drain. But through this, we learnt that nothing can be ideal and planned beforehand; if it went accordingly, good for us, but if it does not, we have to constantly allow changes to be made so make things sail smoothly. This really tested our decision-making abilities and to make split-second decisions was never easy, I would say.

There, I learnt to adapt to the surroundings and people around me. Initially, I expected something worse-off for our lodging. However, when I stepped foot into 田超's house, I was in fact, relieved to a large extent. I thought I would be able to survive and adapt well, but there was much struggle against the climate in Yunnan and the toilets there. Nightfall was the worst, where the sun set especially early and the cold wind howls especially strong at that period of time. The people there were too hospitable to be true, and I was really dumbfounded as to how they were able to let strangers roam around their entire house for a week or so. It was like allowing the police to comb the entire house without a search warrant! For such trust in our group, it would be hard to find in Singapore, where everybody protects their valuables and are not willing to open up. Even neighbours are not as close in Singapore, not to mention friends and the wider community. This broadened my vision as I can see that they lead a simple life and are not afraid to lose. It made me feel ashamed of such a behaviour in Singapore. On the other hand, we can't compare them plain blank as both have a totally different standard of living and thus would breed totally different lifestyles and mindsets. Hence, we should hold an open mind and learn about the different cultures instead of always compare, compare, and compare.

Moving on, the children are very passionate to learn whatever they can, as parents would want them to succeed in life and they themselves know that education is the only way to step out of this rural and poverty cycle. For the level that I was teaching, I was really glad to see one student copying down whatever we wrote on the board and learning individually. He was seizing whatever opportunity to learn and I am proud to see such a behaviour. Upon reflection, I feel that we are abusing and taking the education in Singapore for granted, for we do not always put our full efforts into studying and often regret thereafter. For the children in 土桥小学, I can see the passion and willingness to learn in them, and somehow it just makes me feel that I have a duty to set a good role model for them to look up to since they see me as a big brother.

Also, I've learnt to open up and ask questions instead of just presuming things from our own perspectives. Often we fail to see things clearly and thus jump to conclusions quickly. Distrust breeds misunderstanding, and many misunderstandings have arisen. Take for example the volunteer from Shanghai, who joined us in the project in the second school. When I heard that he was a volunteer, I immediately thought that he would contribute and lighten our burden in the project. However, he just looked at us work at the project site and not help a single bit! I started to feel skeptical about his behaviour and passed crude comments about him sometimes. Upon knowledge that he was just surveying the area then I felt that I had made the wrong impression about him. This taught me to ask and not assume things as its own, so I can learn more from there onwards.

We also have to make do with whatever we have there, for instance, cooking. When there isn't marketing going on, we have to make do with whatever ingredients we have to cook a proper meal (maybe 2 even). This also tested our decision-making abilities to some extent and openness to suggestions by other group members. Throughout the cooking sessions, I've learnt that everyone has their roles and responsibilities and we have to give credit for that. Everyone sure contributed in whatever aspect deemed possible and I'm thankful everything worked out fine.

Through the whole journey, we have nobody to depend on except our members themselves. We cannot totally rely on the teachers every now and then (although we did), so we have to look to other people for advice and guidance. For example, we have a wonderful medic in Jasper and we know who to look for in times of need. It was only on this trip that I realised the importance of interdependence, because you know that you are never alone and you have the whole team behind you no matter what. It is this interdependence that fostered our relationships with one another and bonded us together as one, one that will last beyond the 14 days.

I believe you guys have many more things to write about, so I'll stop here. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Ms Tan for giving me the opportunity to lead my group, Perfect Square. Though we're slow at deciding stuff and I do not take much initiative at times, I thank you for your 包容 and letting me learn alongside with Daphne. I've also learnt many things from your discussions and I'm grateful for that.

It has truly been a fruitful journey for me. I thank everyone who has made this whole trip enjoyable and enriching! Muacks to you all! <3

Leonard
291108

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