it's indeed an eye opener for me as i went on my first mission trip to myanmar - Seik Phu Taung Youth Development Centre with a few strangers. but anyhow we became good friends after the trip.. (: i always wanted to go for one but i fear that i might not be able to take it as i'm very particular about TOILETS and those disgusting insects... anyway i'm glad that i manage to overcome my fear and embark on my first mission trip! woo.. when i was in myanmar.. i told myself "heck laaah. since i want to go, i shouldnt be afraid about this and that anymore..." very brave right?? hahah i know i know... :P
it took us 4 - 5 hours to travel from the city (yangon) to the village (mon state). so naturally i spent my entire trip SLEEPING! that was the best activity that i can think of. hahaha. if not what you suggest?
it was kind of awkward when we reached the orphanage.. the volunteers were standing one side and the children were standing at the other side. no one move but i can see all of them looking at us curiously... at that moment.. i am able to relate to how my volunteers felt when they met my residents for the first time.. unsure what to do and how to approach them... i was contemplating within myself "should i go over and say hi to them? or should i just stand here and wait?" wait for what? i dont know..
the one and only nicer looking classroom!
their dining area.. and there are lots of hungry dogs fighting for food.. it's kinda scary to hear the dogs growling and fighting whenever they spotted any food.
anyhow, i made the first move. went over and greet them.. and naturally the rest followed behind me.. yes.. we became 'buddy' immediately.
the kids were really happy to see us and always greet us with their bright and cheerful smiles. every morning when i went downstairs, i will see them waiting anxiously for us to come down and play with them.(oh they love taking photographs!!)
and that's my nest for the whole trip! and glad i bought my mini pillow along!
on my first morning, as we have some leftover paint i started painting on them yes.. literally painting on their faces and hands! hahaha. everyone was waiting eagerly for their chance to be painted! hahaha. all the laughter when their friends saw their own masterpiece' on their friends.. all this little interaction and activities can make them really happy and excited even though it's just painting on their faces.
we had so much fun doing that!
every morning you will see a group of children with their big and cheerful smile waiting for you to wake up and have fun with them. and whenever they see you, they will quickly run towards you and shower you with lots of love! clinging on to you, calling your name and trying to talk to you in english (very limited words that they learnt but still can see them trying their best to talk to me)the older ones are in school... so the younger ones are those stayed behind during the day.
at night when the older ones are back, we will have our nightly gathering mainly chatting and occasionally playing games.. we had so much fun teasing one another.. and once i even joined them for their night class.. they were so excited and took great care of me, lending me their textbooks and pointing out to me what their teacher is teaching..and majority of them did really well in their studies.. scoring at least 90 and above. im impressed. :)
ocassionally we taught them simple children songs and you can see all their happy faces waiting eagerly to learn..
on our last night, they had a mini celebration for us. they put up performances and we planned games for them..
group pic with part of them on the last night. :(going to miss them..
part of the group that i went with...
and one of the boy even wrote a note to me..
the few days there was tiring but really fun.
everything was really back to basic... no facebook, no handphone, no twitter!
i learned that i can survive without laptop, handphone and aircon.
and we did alot of running around (catching and badminton all day all night long! good exercise!)
i did things that i never thought i'm capable of.
i went to give, but ended up receiving even more from them.
through them, i get to learn the 'joy of giving'
and they taught me to stay positive and happy no matter how bad the condition is.
they reminded me to be thankful and appreciate what i have now..
and not take things for granted.
and im impress with their willingness to learn, help and take care of one another.
children as young as 8 or 10 are taking care of infants.
and they are really independent. of course i understand given the circumstances that they are in, they have no choice but to be independent...
unlike the kids in singapore who are definitely way fortunate than them..
who spend their day playing computer games and bugging their parents to buy new toys for them..
and complain when you ask them to help out...
anyway it was a GREAT experience!
and yes.. definitely will be back to visit them this year.
if only i can make this as my full time job..... (:
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