Precis

After a quick breakfast on Thursday (February 17) morning, we left for Kindergarten at around eight. We were so excited to meet all the kids there. We were welcomed by the lady who runs the Kindergarten, and I must say the hospitality in Vietnam is marvelous. Every person that I have met in Vietnam so far is amazingly good in welcoming guests. We went to our class, there were about 20-25 kids and they were all adorable. 

We taught them basic English and rhymes. It was really fun to teach those kids, especially singing along with them. After Kindergarten, we went back to GVN house for a lunch and afterwards, to Redcross to meet differently-able children (I prefer to say differently able than disabled children coz they are not disabled, they are just differently capable in doing things, sometime more capable than us). They were so glad to see us. I taught them paintings while Jennifer and Thien continued their English lessons.

In the evening, we were invited for a dinner by a couple who runs an Orphanage (oh! they are the sweetest couple I have ever met, an Italian husband to a Vietnamese wife). They have this huge Orphanage(they call it Charity house) with 40 children. It looked more like a  boarding school with great facilities. Everything was so well organized. After showing us around the orphanage and a little chat, we were served delicious Vietnamese cuisines. (Thien & I kept eating & eating, could not resist at all). Engo Falcone (an Italian guy who runs the Orphanage) told me that he would invite us for an Italian food someday after he heard me saying that I’m fond of Italian foods. They were so generous.

On Friday (February 18), we went to a Social Support Center where we taught basic hygiene to mentally ill children. Later, Thien and I taught some exercises to elderly people there. I taught them some Yoga. Being differently able, they were more gifted than us, with so much dedication to learn and keenness to know new things.

We were free after 12 p.m. So, we planned to visit Hoi An in the evening as we were told that Hoi An looks amazing in the night. After having our dinner, Thien, Jennifer , Jordan & I, went to Hoi An. It was indeed incredibly beautiful, with all the lanterns glowing on in the restaurants and by the streets. It looked like a festive season(like Tihar in Nepal). We hanged around, picked up our dresses that we had given for stitching few days back, and ended up at a roadside restaurant for drinks.

Our chat went on and on, and I felt like a reunion party. Everyone’s unforgetful love stories LOL. As it was a Friday night, we thought to enjoy night life back in Da Nang too. We asked our cabdriver to take us somewhere to a happening place. He took us to one of the famous discotheques in Da Nang (I assume that was). We had super fun dancing. 

And slept till late next morning…..

Saturday (February 19), weekend, university teachers (where Victor & Jordan teach English) took us to show some of the famous places in Da Nang . We went to Marble Mountain and to the Lady Buddha temple. We drove through coastal area; it was so beautiful. I really loved the magnificent view of China beach and Da Nang city from the cliff of Marble Mountain , it was just superb. We stopped over for dinner at the coastal area. There were all sea foods, all over. Everyone enjoyed sea food while I had to compromise with noodles and tofu…sad sad.

XOXO

jo_tee

In Kindergarten

The Beginning

It was a great day indeed, a productive one, I must add.

This morning we started from Dien Tho center; it’s a day care centre for physically challenged children whose parents can’t afford for their proper treatment. I was assisting Mr. Phuc, GVN Physiotherapist, to exercise kids suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders affecting body movement, balance and posture. All those kids were at the age of 5-12 yrs. I really admired the way these kids put their effort to improve their disabilities. In fact, I learnt that a little appreciation for what they do and words of encouragement really work like a magic wand to improve their condition. After they finished their exercise, they gave us a Hi5 with a big bright smile on their face. 

After spending approximately three hours in Dien Tho centre, we went to Dai Loc Orphanage, one in the mountain. After having our lunch, we took a short nap. Actually it’s a kind of tradition in Vietnam that they take 2/3 hours of lunch break... SIASTA. Jennifer and I fell asleep for sometime while Thien spent time chatting with interpreters as she speaks Vietnamese really good. 

We started next session with teaching program. They were six students in my class. At first, I was confused how and where to start as I am not a trained teacher. They were primary level (elementary school) kids. So I thought to teach them about our body parts and started with five organs of senses. I drew a picture on the board and wrote the names “Eye, Ears……” My Vietnamese interpreter helped them understand easily by writing its Vietnamese translation on its side. However, I figured out that some kids were still having problems to identify letters. So, I thought to start over again from the very beginning with English alphabets. I taught them A..B..C..D (capital and small letters). After reiterating the letters for 4/5 times, I asked them to write it on their work sheet without any help. Nhan, Trang and Quan finished it soon while Trung, Nga and Phan were struggling hard to finish up (trying to get reference from their friends’ page...oh gosh! it reminded me of my school days). I also gave them homework to learn alphabets and get prepared to read & write those in the next class. And, like every children, they were so happy when the class was over. 

I took a picture of them. 

Tomorrow, we will be going to a Kindergarten to teach children some Basic English.  Later, after lunch, we’ll go to Redcross, a Social Support centre and a Charity class. We also have a weekly meeting tomorrow where we will discuss about the progress/improvement and other things related to this project with our placement manager. 

I’m sure it gonna be a great fun and very informative.

http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/

XOXO

jo_tee

NHAT  TAN- Cerebral Palsy, 6yrs old

THANG- Cerebral Palsy, 5yrs old

NG OC- Cerebral Palsy, 12 yrs old

Orientation Day

We had an Orientation program today. Mr. Viet explained us everything about GVN in Vietnam especially about Da Nang programs. We also got to meet some other people, most of them are university students who work here as interpreters.

I have to admit, the Vietnamese language session was quite difficult. We were taught some useful Vietnamese phrases, but somewhat like French, their pronunciations are completely a tongue twister and different from what they spell. (I remember Jennifer struggling hard to pronounce some of the words..lol)

Later, after an hour break, Mr. Phuc, the GVN physiotherapist showed us how to handle children with Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus, Down’s syndrome & mental illness.

After our orientation, we went to a Social Support Center. We were happy to meet many children with special needs. Kerry explained us about the children here, their needs and in what way we can be a great help. They all looked so adorable. Looking at these children, I’m touched, how hard it has been for them to be mentally/ physically ill and orphan at the same time. How lucky I and my sister are that we’ve so loving parents. And, I’m luckier to be here to help these children in someway, to bring a sweet smile on their face. Every child is special! They all looked so special!

We drove around the market, just to be familiar with places, and got back to GVN house.

After our dinner, Thien, Jordan and I talked about our countries, history and culture. Both of them want to visit Nepal someday, and I am so happy they want to see my country. I hope I will meet them again someday in Nepal or somewhere in the World. After all, it’s a small world.

Tomorrow we’re gonna start our work. We’re going to Dein Tho Center and Dai Loc Orphanage and I’m super excited.

XOXO

Jo_tee

http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/

A trip to HOI AN

Had a great day!

We (Jennifer, Thien, Vincent, Victor & I) went to Hoi An this morning, 25-30 minutes drive away from Da Nang city (Hoi An was resurrected with great aplomb as a tourist town in the mid-1990s and received UNSECO world heritage status in 1999). It’s a touristic place, so you get plenty of things to buy there, souvenirs to take back home (much better if u can haggle). The place is awesome, pretty much like Thamel & Lake side in Pokhara (got me nostalgic), but comparatively much better, clean & wider. I loved wandering around as a tourist, no staring at me as they thought ‘m one of them (I don’t like extra attention). 

What I’m liking most in Vietnam is the people who sell stuff by the road, they don’t annoy you, when you say you don’t want them- ‘thank you’, they just go their way, unlike in India & somewhat in Nepal. 

We saw a number of big hotels, resorts and a Casino on our way to Hoi An. I’m pretty sure, China Beach being here, there are plenty of lavishing hotels to attract tourists.

Oh! I had an exhilarating ride ever. Actually, traffic rules out here is pathetic, in fact there are no traffic rules. There’s no speed limit, no Zebra crossing rules…forget about U-turn or anything. If you’re a pedestrian, you just have to be extra cautious while crossing roads. Unlike in Nepal, the vehicles don’t stop or wait for you to go across. They don’t pull over even though you signal them to stop. Bang Bang!! I wonder if they’ve rules just in case a vehicle hits you. Thank God! I got medical insurance & travel insurance too (Every time we crossed the road we said YAY!) 

Today’s Valentine’s Day (flower sellers could be seen all along the roads).We thought to go to a Café house next to our GVN house. (It’s nothing like celebrating gala or anything like that. It’s just a way we chose to cheer for LOVE and all the loving people you’ve in our lives). However, we went to a neighborhood pub to dink some beers with Kent and Jordan as Kent is leaving for China tomorrow. It was a kind of farewell to him. 
I enjoyed the company though I had so little to contribute to the conversation as they were all talking about America, Australia & Canada.

Tomorrow, 15th Feb 2011, our orientation day and we’re gonna start our work from 16^th Feb. We got extra excited as Mr. Viet (Executive Director, GVN Vietnam ) told us that we’ve to go to a  new orphanage in mountain every Wednesday (doesn’t it sound promising? )

I can’t wait for tomorrow. 
End of Day three in Vietnam!! (Listening to Eminem “Recovery”, awesome) 

http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/

XOXO

Jo_tee

Home far from Home

Strange I did not get jet lag!!

Stopover in Siem Reap, capital city of Siem Reap Province in North-Western Cambodia, was refreshing. The airport lounge was more like a resort in an Island . What more would I have asked for!!

Arrived Da Nang yesterday evening and I found everyone so welcoming. They waited for me until I cleared my immigration.

I met with other volunteers, and it was super fun to talk with them, especially about our countries & how many hours we spent on flight (the longest one was for Jennifer who’s from Canada ).

This morning we (Thien, Jennifer & I) went around and got some supplies for ourselves. Most of the shops/markets are still closed coz of Tet holiday here. They will reopen from 15^th Feb.

Though I am here for the first time, it seems like people here know me since long..they at once started talking in Vietnamese with me...and I was so surprised...aah I look like one of them or may be my ancestors once lived in Cambodia and Singapore too... I was a Cambodian in Siem Reap and someone talked to me in a local language in Singapore.

Oh I got little lost in translation, and the currency denomination is freaking me out.  I am now millionaire with total currencies I have when I convert my currencies into Dong lol. Thank God Thien, an Australian is with us who speaks Vietnamese.

We have our orientation on Tuesday, so we’re planning to go to Hoian tomorrow & come back  in the evening.

So far I’m liking Vietnam , I’m feeling like I am in Nepal until I see the hoarding boards & people speaking different language.

Looking forward to have significant and valuable days here. I have got this huge opportunity and I am gonna make most of it.

XOXO

Jo_tee

Da Nang city

Siem Reap Airport

From Singapore

Hectic immigration procedures in Nepal…Thank god…the period passed, and I took a long breathe...’m now stress free of course. Can't stop thanking Avinash for all the help in TIA & also to Gopal who was assisting me all the way from Biratnagar browsing every useful sources.
 
After almost 5hrs of flight I finally landed in Singapore Airport, a while ago. It was about 2045 Hrs, and I almost got carried away by the mesmerizing view of the city. While landing, the city looked like a huge jewellery box filled in with all the precious stones which has just been opened for me (awesome).
I did not face any difficulties to find out the hotel that I had booked to stay overnight. 
 
Okay I am tired now !  Need to grab some food and take rest. It has been long tiring days since yesterday. ‘m so excited for next flight to Vietnam, tomorrow afternoon, and excited  million times more to meet everyone out there. 
 

XOXO
jo_tee

In Biratnagar Airport

One more day of waiting..waiting impatiently for something….a miracle??? Nope this time for a seat on Yeti Airlines.

‘m back again in Airport terminal after waiting for almost 5 hours the other day for my scheduled flight. Can’t blame airlines, can’t blame any person…...unfavorable weather and even can’t blame God for it :-)

But as I always take problems as lesson, I learned again this time that everything happens for a reason…this time a better one.

If my flight would not have been cancelled yesterday, I would have missed to do an important task. Something that is as important as taking breathe to me (ppl go nuts to figure out what it is lol)

Right now I am in airport terminal, hoping to get on early flight as possible as my airlines can.:-) 

Looking at people around who are hurrying to get their baggage checked and do needful. Some people who have gone through yesterday’s cancellation are trying to get the tickets for today…people chuckling..kids running….security personnel whistling..oh! now it’s time for me to head to canteen and give some rest to my growling stomach.

Hoping to have good night sleep in Kathmandu tonight, and chat a lot with my dearest sis.

XOXO

Jo_tee