All the videos of the days we spent in Vietnam have been complied into a single video.Â
Hope you take a good trip down memory lane when seeing the photos and watching the videos of the days we had :)
We started with learning how to mix cement powder, stones, sand and water to make concrete to make the classroom floor.
Next we made cement and used them to form the brick wall of the classroom. Our students worked on the lower half, while the carpenters helped to complete the top part of the wall.Â
The current old classroom wall was sanded down and repainted.
The outside of the new classroom extension was plastered in preparation for painting.
This entire process has taught our Crestians resilience and keeping themselves motivated under tiring conditions.Â
Today was the last day at the local primary school. We started the morning by visiting some of the houses of the students in the local school. Crestians managed to get a glimpse of how life is like for the locals and the trials and tribulations that they go through.
Next, we had a farewell ceremony with the local primary school with the exchange of tokens of appreciation and giving the local Vietnamese students a small treat.Â
It was a tearful goodbye as our Crestians waved and gave hugs to the students that they have made friends with.
We concluded the day with a reflection session getting students to think about the differences they have seen between Vietnam and Singapore and how to appreciate what they have and show gratitude for what they are given.
Today was our last day of hard work at the local school! Our Crestians were motivated to complete the remaining tasks to the best of their ability so as to benefit the local students.
In the morning, we played several outdoor games with two of the classes. There was so much fun and laugher during the games and everybody enjoyed themselves. After the games, we proceeded with our activities i.e. the construction of the classroom as well as the repainting and the washing of the toilets.Â
We are extremely satisfied that we have managed to accomplish what we had set out to do and we hope that our contributions can go a long way to help the students.
pull with all our mighty force against the local students in the tug-of-war game
special manicure service by the local students
colourful hands for the beautiful wall mural
artwork by our own Crestians
artwork by our own Crestians
artwork by our own Crestians
Crestians plastering the wall of the newly built classroom
Today the local primary school celebrated Teachers Day! Our Crestians and Teachers were invited to take part in the celebrations, sharing of messages of thanks, cutting of a cake, tokens of appreciation and ending of the event on the a high note with karaoke!
We then proceeded to continue to complete the wall and using existing waste materials to make a small pavement around the classroom extension. Crestians also started to give the toilet which the local students use a fresh coat of paint!
It has been a long and tiring day but our Crestians, seeing that their efforts starting to paying off, are keeping each other and themselves motivated to complete the tasks at hand!Â
The primary school prepared a cake for us!
Mr Chua presenting a token of appreciation to the Vice-Principal.
A token of appreciation made with fresh flowers from the primary school.
Our teachers were given flowers, which is a Vietnamese tradition for appreciation, for teachers day.
Mr Chin (our local tour guide) explaining the meaning behind the token of appreciation.
Crestians giving their teachers flowers as a token of appreciation.
Mr Quek trying his hand at preparing pomelo.
Crestians continued with their project of constructing the classroom extension and have managed to start building the brick wall. We ended the day with a complete floor and a waist high brick wall done and dusted.
Crestains also conducted a variety of activities and lessons with the local Vietnamese kids, the kids were engaged and enjoyed lessons to learn a new dance, folding heart shaped origami to present to their parents, animal origami use to learn nursery rhymes and arts and crafts to make a pencil holder.
The highlight of the day was when the local Vietnamese students crowded around and asked our Crestians for their signature (just like superstars), as a result many of our students feel that they have formed a stronger bond with each other.
3rd day in Vietnam as we arrive at the primary school that we will be helping. Our eager Crestians started work on the project to build a classroom immediately after a short briefing by the Principal and under the guidance of our Vietnamese Tour leader Mr Chin.Â
They had to clear debris, mix sand, stone and cement to make concrete to make the floor of the classroom.
Meanwhile 2 groups were engaged in conducting lessons where they made photo frames together with the Vietnamese students and shakers which they used to sing along to popular children songs.
The day ended off with a reflection sessions where students learnt how fortunate they are and how to show appreciation and gratitude for the things they have in Singapore.
Today was a long list of activities starting with a farm-to-table experience by a Master Chef. Crestians were introduced to various different plants like Laska leaf and lemongrass at the same time being informed about the different properties and uses for these plants.
Crestians have a new sense of respect and admiration for the farmers who grow and cultivate the food that we eat on a daily basis. They have also learnt the importance of not wasting food and taking only what you need.
They then made their way to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where they learnt about how the Vietcong transformed an area inVietnam into a network of tunnels and hideouts.
Finally we have arrived in Ben Tre province where we will be helping out the local school.
Our Crestians had a long and fruitful day today. Catching an early flight to Ho Chi Minh City and taking a city tour of the various sights and sounds in the city. Check out the 1 minute update video on the activities that our Crestians did today.
Getting ready for their bag check early in the morning.
Excited for take off.
The very first meal in Vietnam!
Team OVIA Vietnam 2019
Come! Lets share a meal!
Our Crestians had their first VIA experience when they helped to clean and tidy the houses of the elderly who were staying alone. Many Crestians realised how much effort it took to keep a house clean and many were appreciative of those who have helped to take care of them at home.