Thank You Parents

Dear parents

Thank you for your support and belief in this Cultural Programme.

Your child has benefited a lot from this experience.

The friendship forged with their Vietnamese friends and the way of life has made them realise that the world is not just about them. They have learned to work in teams and accepting others of who they are.

I believe your child have told you how accommodating the host families are. They are willing to go the extra mile to make your child feel like part of the family during the homestay.

We hope that you will return this warm gesture when they visit us next year

On behalf of the school and team, I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks once again to all of you.

regards,
Mr Leong

Video Dedications from the teachers...

Day 9: 03 Nov (Mon) Dear NGTHS, We Are back in Singapore!!

Hi Everyone

We have reached Singapore safely at 1040 pm (Singapore time) yesterday. Thank you to the pupils and staff of Nguyen Gia Thieu High School for sending us off at the airport.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the principal Mr Vuong, vice-principals Mr Ge and Ms Tam, teachers, parents and pupils, in Nguyen Gia Thieu High School for their kind hospitality during our immersion programme. You have given us a new perspective of Vietnam, we will never forget your warmth, friendliness and joy. Let's keep this friendship going, do not stop the communication, and let us reconnect next year in Singapore!

We will definitely going to miss NGTHS and of course, Vietnam!!!

Xin Cam On !

And here some assorted photos for all. 

Wet market ... the Singapore in the 70's?

Live fish, anyone?

Trying to listen..

Introducing the spices

Chef to be...

hmm ... ready, get set and cut!! :)

Discussion? 

Finger at risk so super focused .

Looking good as trainee

The master demonstrates

Our creations!!

Wrapping the rice paper ...

Trying out my own creation .. Local guide Mr Steven said 'Good also eat, no good also eat, because you made it yourself. '  :P

Graduation certificates

Winners for best CIPians!

Hugs and cries

Wave and bye

Emotional moments

Group photo

This is the real group photo 

Back in SINGAPORE !!

Another pose! Happy! Home Sweet Home!

Accepting others As They Are

Accepting others As They Are

A boy went to a pet shop wanting to buy a puppy. But they were all very expensive. Then the pet shop owner said that the boy can get the one in the corner for free.
When the boy asked him why, the shop owner replied saying that the puppy is handicapped.
The boy told the shop owner that he will buy the puppy like the rest of the puppies.
The boy managed to raise enough money and returned to the shop. He paid for the handicapped puppy. The owner wondered why but accepted the money.
The boy told the shop owner he should not discriminate the puppy just because it is handicapped.
As the boy was walking out of the shop, the shop owner realised that the boy is limping.

Moral of the story:
Do not discriminate others. Learn to accept someone as who they are

Think Carefully Before You Do Anything

Think Carefully Before You Do Anything

A man works as a sailor who is seldom at home. Every time when he comes home, he will call his wife to inform her.
One day, he decided not to call her in order to give her a surprise.
When he was about to reach home, he decided to run all the way home. But he was stopped along the way by a bookseller who insisted that he buy some books from his store.
Eventually the man bought a book from him and continue on his way home.
When he reached home, he walked quietly up to his wife's room.
What he saw saddens him. He saw a pair of man's saddle. He became upset and angry.
He was thinking "Why did my wife cheat on me?"
The he decided to kill his wife and then himself. He took out a knife.
Just as he pulls out the knife, the book he bought dropped onto the floor.
The noise of the book dropping woke his wife up. As he was picking up the book, the title reads "Think carefully before you do anything"
When the wife saw him, she was surprised and happy. She asked why he did not call her. He replied that he wanted to surprise her.
Still upset, the man asked his wife why is there a pair of man's saddle.
The wife replied that it was the man's birthday yesterday, so she bought him a pair of saddle.
She added that she love him so much that every night she just looked at the saddle and pretend that the man is with her always.

If the book did not drop ...

Moral Story: The Importance of Remaining Calm

The Importance of Remaining Calm

A poor man and his son lived together. He worked very hard so that he could buy a car.
One day, the man saw his son scratching his new car, he got angry and started to beat his son. As a result, one of his son's finger was broken. He sent his son to the hospital but the doctors were not able to save the finger except to amputate it.
When the son woke up, he was delighted and said "Daddy I love you very much"
The man regretted what he did.
When he reached home, there where his son had scratched his car were written "Daddy I love very much"

Moral of the story:
In life there are things which make you angry. Think twice before you do anything.

Story from Mr Steven: Importance of Family

During the trip in Vietnam, we were fortunate to have a local guide, Mr Steven, to educate our students on the meaning of life. He has made this trip beyond immersion, teaching our students through moral stories.

Below is one of them.

Importance of Family

There was this intelligent man whose father passed away when he was very young. His mum worked hard to provide a good education for him. He grew up to be very intelligent and educated.
One day, he went for a job interview at a big company.
The boss of the company asked him what does his mum do for a living.
The man hesitated and was ashamed to reveal his mum's job.
The boss stopped the interview and told the man to go back and do what his mum is doing.
The man did as he was told. He went home and started to help his mum with the laundry.
This was the first time he had ever helped his mum with the laundry.
When he saw the wrinkles on her hands, the man cried. He soon realised the sufferings and hardships his mum went through in order to provide him with an education.
The following day, when he went back to see the boss, the boss asked him can he sleep after his experience, the man said no as he understands what his mum has gone through.

Moral of the story:
Family is important. You can't be successful without family. You may have the intelligence but family is important.
All parents want their child to be successful, so continue to be good boys and girls so that you do not disappoint your parents.

Deep Reflection by Ming Wei on his visit to Go Vap Orphanage

Reflection on visit to Go Vap Orphanage

After I walked out from the orphanage, I felt really sad. I felt very pity for them, a child in this age shall never suffer this. But this is life right? At first, I don't dare to look at them as the poor kids want us to go in and make some contacts with them. But I am afraid to play with them. When I moved to second floor, I started to wonder how will their life be in 20 years. Are there still people to look after them? If the wars had never happened, how great will that be. No one really wins in a war, wars only bring us the victim of normal people. Then I get to know that many of them were abandoned in front of the orphanage. I think I maybe understand why because maybe burden for some families. Both parents are just normal workers, they can't afford a child like this. They don't have a means, time and money to spend on a child of such condition. I appreciate what I have now. They don't even have a basic healthy condition.
Then we went to the next place. I saw children who was in my age blocking my way. We were all scared. We don't dare to get near him. None of us has given a lucky bracelet. However, when I moved downstairs, I looked upwards. I saw his eyes! A pair of eyes filled with desired, he just want to play with us. Yes, he just want to play with us but in a different way. I felt guilty about it. After that, we moved to the first floor again where we played with the children. I saw Sherlyn playing with the lovely children. I said to myself  "They are just normal kids, but with a bit of flaws" I should treat them like I usually do with other children.
Thus, I suddenly felt there are no more emotional blocks between me and the children. I stayed in the room and I felt the room is filled with love. It is just that simple. The boy with me always like me to hug him and take pictures. I start being upset, the children are just so simple, they don't want much things. All they need is just a toy and a hug. They are just so simple and naive. So why don't we love them more? This also brings me back to the guy who blocked our way. He just need us to talk and play with him for a while. But, for that simple desire, I was not able to satisfy him. If I had another opportunity. I will ...

Xu Ming Wei

Day 8: 02 Nov (Sun) - Farewell, Visit Orphanage, Cruise Dinner Part 2

Dear Parents and students,

Videos from the students before returning to back to Singapore.

Ming Wei + Qi Cheng

Timon + Zun Hong

Amirul + Ahmad

Ariffin + Eugene

Henry + Fahmi

Wilsvin + Syahiran

Joyce + Hiwaashini

Sahanas + Yu Yun

Sherlyn + Syahirah

Quraisya + Rivashini

Feng Yu + Ruth

Yamin + Sabrina 

Shanna Goh + Dionna

Shafiqah + Haziqah

 Venoshha + Aqilah

Day 8: 02 Nov (Sun) - Farewell, Visit Orphanage, Cruise Dinner

Dear Parents and Students

Today marked the last night we are going to spend at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The past 8 days have been awesome and fantastic. Friendship were forged and tie between the two schools were strengthened.

I believe that the students have learnt and grown during the past 8 days of immersion programme.

In the morning, we have our farewell at Nguyen Gia Thieu High School and then followed by a visit to the Orphanage, Trung Tam Nuoi Duong Bao Tro Tre Em Go Vap, in the afternoon. Thereafter, the students have dinner on a cruise ship.

As the teacher-in-charge of updating the blog, I felt apologetic for not being able to upload the tons of good photos today. Here are some photos to whet your appetite,

Finally, credits go to the teachers who had helped to take the photos during the last 8 days especially the energetic Ms Daphne Chong,

Birthday cake for Sherlyn by her Vietnamese buddy

Surprise celebration 

Symmetrical? :) 

Farewell pose ... 

Pose with host family

One final group pose...

The team of staff who worked quietly behind the scene until now. :)

Not a bear hug but a 'parting' hug.. 

Spot who is crying...

Lunch first before moving out again ...

Purchasing the items requested by the orphanage 

Donation items contributions by staff and students of NVSS 

It ain't heavy ... I can do it 

Visit to the orphanage 

Interaction time

Lying down

Group pictue

Who is copying or imitating? 

One for the camera pls.

Ming Wei transformed ! 

Dinner on a cruise ship 

Dinner time

Birthday celebration  for the November students

Group picture after the dinner

Day is not ended until reflection is done ... GOOD JOB NVSS students!