Yes we have survived the 8-day Expedition!! =)

You have learnt many valuable lessons through this journey. Do share your experiences with your peers
and apply them in your lives.


Regards,
Mrs Lim
Mr Chua
Mr Yee
Ms Tan

Day 7: Reflection of the past 7 days

We visited the local market.

Back to Kunming after a long bus ride.

Coach Choi Lin gave her last debrief of the trip.

Mr Chua gave his reflection pointers to the councillors.

We were excited as we gathered at Changi airport. It was colder than we thought at Kunming and we visited the  金马碧基。

  

After three hours on the bus, we finally arrived at Jianshui. We saw amazing stone carvings which held deep meanings and values displayed through the architecture at the Zhang Residence. We experienced the way they cooked in a rural village area and we had lunch at the Zhang Residence with organic green vegetables. We also toured the compounds and learnt more about the Chinese culture. It was an eye-opener at the Confucius Temple as we learnt about the good and bad effects of his teachings. The architects were also very well-preserved after 700 years.

At 罗家坡小学, we gave and took at the same time and learnt a lot that cannot be described in a few words.

At the Hani Rice Terraces, we understood the meaning of perseverance and we were impressed when we learnt that the locals walked the same road daily. It was worth it as we saw a magnificent sunset.

This morning, we visited the local market and understood the saying “The Chinese eat everything that lives” and also why vegetarians are vegetarians.

After a seven-hour journey back to Kunming, we visited the flower market and bought a lot of things. For example, there were flowers that could change colours with temperature.

Yingjie learnt many “Eighteen Oddities of Yunnan”， “云南十八怪”。

By: Yap Hsin Tung

       Tan Rou Ying

       Chong Yong

       Ng Ying Jie

Day 6: 元阳，老虎嘴梯田景区

Today, the whole of SC went to 元阳 after a 3.5h bus ride. The view was spectacular along the way. We reached our hotel at first, then had lunch and went to 哈尼族’s 梯田, where there were terraced fields that were very large. Everyone walked along the narrow paths to view the fields, and the scenery. The view was really extraordinary and we were all very amazed at the beautiful view that greeted us. Many of us struggled but amazingly we completed it. Though the path was not easy to walk, we all still enjoyed the journey.

Later, we took the bus up the mountain before trekking down to a lower height. Trekking down was a challenge for us as we were walking on nature- rocks, soil and mud. Because there was very little space, so we all had to walk in a single file. It was very tiring for us and none of us experienced such a hiking trip before. It was indeed an eye opener. However, the view that we saw was worth it. Because it was so difficult to walk, we had the people at the front to warn others behind them of any mud or loose stones that were in front since they could experience it first, and so we would not walk the same path and fall or get themselves dirty. We built up our cooperation this way. Perseverance was what kept us going. Everyone cheered each other on and we realized the importance of moral support and working as a team.

After reaching the top of the mountain, though we were really tired, we ran to watch the sunset. The adrenaline was really wearing out but we cheered each other on and kept going. In the end, we caught sight of the magnificent view of the sun setting. It was really meaningful and as many have said , THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET WE HAVE EVER SEEN. It was indeed the “fruit” of our labour.

I really enjoyed the trip to the 梯田, and the climbing of  老虎嘴梯田景区. It was very steep for most of the path all the way down. We did the same thing as well: people in front of us would warn of the loose rocks or slippery stones so that the people behind would not be affected. It was a good test of our stamina and perseverance. I feel that we really demonstrated good attitude and had the “never say die” attitude.

Cheng Jun

Hui Jun

Claudia

Day 5: Service Learning at 罗家坡小学 and 联欢会

Clearing the bricks in the long jump pit and prep the pit before it is lay with sand.

Team effort is shown in this human chain exercise to clear bricks.

The completed long jump pit. Finally after 3 days of hard work in the field.

Happy children jumping up and down in the pit. A satisfying project which will enable them to learn long jump.

The next Olympic GOLD medalist is going be born here.

We have donated new basketball backboard. Mr Chua and Principal Chen is helping to fix it.

The old chipboard backboard

The new fibre glass backboard

联欢会

Performing in the 联欢会

大桥老人协会《烟盒舞》

Mr Chua presenting a memento to Principal Chen

Their GIFT to the primary 3 class

Playing a game of basketball with the students.

Eating 建水烤豆腐in the restaurant where we had dinner.

Today is the last day that we spend with the students. In the morning, all of us went into the field for landscaping, and we are all very relieved that our efforts paid off. We also learn the true meaning of  “gen sheng di gu”, the roots of all the trees were all deep rooted into the soil.

The class that I took was the pre-school, and they were all too young to know the meaning of parting. There was an incident that we gave out the hearts that we folded for them and each heart have a Chinese word “love” written on it. A girl came up to us and asked us if that was her name, we told her that the word is read as “ai”, she was still young and innocent and she asked in Chinese “ what is the meaning of ai?” We were all very shocked by that question and did not know how to answer.

After all, on the last day, we found out how attached we were to the students and we have truly learnt a lot of positive attitude from them. J

~~ Zicen

 We have learnt a lot today; whether it is from the students or from the teachers or Coach. We started our day at the primary school by having to clear the run way for the long jump pit. It required tremendous effort and also we students learnt the lesson of teamwork, of working as a team to get the work done much more efficiently. It was rather hard job to get the area cleared of these plants, but we tried our best, and we did it wholeheartedly and had the children in mind all the time. Everyday has its dawn and dusk, and there will always be a time we left them back there and leave the school. It was not surprising to feel the sense of emptiness in ourselves. We had learnt from them more then they had learnt from them. We left them memories but they left us with eureka moments; moments when we were shocked to see their behaviour in class, moments where we were just flabbergasted by their actions and what they have said to us.

It was perhaps a very meaningful three days and I learnt how to make impromptu decision, and that there are times where we don not have to follow strictly to the lesson plans we had plan.

~~ JIAWEI

Today is the day that we finally say good bye to the students whom we have taught for three days. The school organized a farewell party for all of us. That was indeed a heart-melting moment. To see the primary school students sing and dance to their hearts content, we all knew that our job was accomplished. However, the drama was not over for us, who were in-change of the primary four class. The primary four students did not want to leave the school after their curriculum time as they could not bear to part with us. A teacher came in the middle of our debrief session and requested our help to persuade the students to go home. When we went into the class, we were greeted by about 15 crying students. It was indeed a moment that we would never forget.

However, today was not all interaction with the children. The councilors were asked to fill up a long jump pit with sand. Through much hard work and teamwork from both the councilors and teachers, we managed to complete the task by lunch time.

We all learnt something today. Unknowingly, through all the games and lessons, we learnt many things like teamwork, perseverance, communication. The list goes on…

Today is indeed a day that I am sure none of us would forget.

~~ DON SEAH

The moment that struck me the most is the generosity and selflessness of the students. They are really pure, innocent and wholesome unselfish people who really put other people before themselves. I used to think that being selfish was human nature that it was normal for everyone of us to ultimately only think about gaining our own benefits. However, I was deeply moved and impressed by these students. They are genuine, appreciative, grateful, contented and really selfless. They do things for people without any ulterior motives (I think pretentious people are really dangerous) whatsoever, without even minding at all whether it benefits them in any way. They do things for people out of pure kindness, and are willing to help you whole-heartedly without any pretense or intentions.

In Singapore, people like them are rare and hard to find. Really, for a moment I thought selfless people were already non-existent, since I thought being selfish was only human nature. Unlike us, they are not afraid of losing out to people or doing things that are disadvantageous towards themselves. Even though we come from an affluent society with many more privileges and luxurious items that that do not have, many of us lose our kind and gentle nature and grow up to become selfish, uncaring people who forget about embracing life and the true meaning of it. Selflessness really does bring joy to people!  But how many of us remember? So today I really see that generous people are still existent in this world. There’s a saying (ren zi chu, xing ben shan) so we should all remember to retain our giving side.

~~ TAN WINNIE

Day 4: Service Learning at 罗家坡小学 and 家访

家访1

家访1

家访2

火锅晚餐

Today, the moment when we stepped into the classroom, we were greeted by the enthusiastic students. They were cheering! As we were going to put our bags at the bench behind the class, we were touched to see that the Primary 3 students came rushing to make sure the bench is clean. They brought both wet and dry towels to wipe the bench for us, not only for once, but they wipe the bench more than seven times every time we step into the class. Even when they know that we are only putting our bags on the bench, they never failed to do so for us. Looking at them, I am lost for words so do my group members. Personally, students at their age are so considerate and have even spared a thought for us. Small Me Big You, the things I was taught can be seen in them. Although I am older than them, their behaviour and character made me admire them a lot. I really have enjoyed my time at the school, gaining new experiences and being able to spend time with students who are innocent, considerate, helpful and lots of positive attitude I can thought of.

The kids remembered most of the animals we taught them the previous day and certainly, we felt contented – our effort has not gone down the drain. The kids showed enthusiasm and remained active throughout the entire lesson, even after the break. Many of them were reluctant to go for lunch. We felt happy when we see the kids having such positive attitude towards learning. I once had an aspiration to be a teacher. However, I gave up the thought as I recalled how my teachers get frustrated with us and having to stay up late to plan our lessons. These kids in Luo Jia Po primary school, has encouraged me and supported me during the past few days. I thought to myself, “I would want to be a teacher, if the students in Singapore are just like these kids.”  I think what is lacking in Singapore students is that enthusiasm towards learning. Many students study for the sake of examinations and they do not enjoy what they are doing. If they are like the kids here, not only will they enjoy school days, the teachers will also be much confident and encouraged during lessons. There are many things that we can learn from the kids. The most important thing I want Singapore students to pick up would be the enthusiasm during lessons.

As this is my first time teaching primary school students, it is an enriching experience for me. I feel quite accomplished when the students get what we are trying to bring across to them. The learning attitude of the students is something that I admire a lot. They really appreciate every single opportunity to learn and are focused in our lessons. The students are also very helpful in the sense that they even help us to sharpen our coloured pencils after the lesson and they are already dismissed. They help to clean the chairs that we place our bags on before we enter the classroom. I feel that that their learning spirit is something that we can learn from, even though they are younger than us. From the home visits, I learn to be more appreciative and satisfied with my life. The students’ are happy and contented even if their living conditions are not very pleasant. They face their life with a happy-go-lucky attitude. Through their interactions with us during the house visits, I realized that they are indeed very hospitable towards their guests. The students serve drinks and food to the guests without being prompted by anyone, so I feel that this spirit of theirs is really commendable too.

This is the first time that I’m given the chance to interact with students from China. However, the experience that I have is very different from what I have expected. The students in China have very positive attitudes. They have lots of respect for their teachers. They always think for the others.

Today was the second day I taught the kids. When we first stepped into the classroom, we heard the kids cheering. It gave us a tinge of confidence, as the kids showed us their support for us. I thought that it was a very conducive session with the kids. 

Guan Yu

Kristal

Sze Ning

See Kim

(Primary 3 teachers)