The Light We Give.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

FLEA MARKET- post fundraising on the day of assembly (27 March)

People involving in the assembly: Sling, Marvin, Xingying, Amanda, Afiq

Others will be helping out in the flea market:

Shift 1: kim, pei bao, wen zheng, Gerald, Sak, Michelle, Alfred, Myint Zu, Satish, Wahida, Emma, Marcus, Fairuz

Shift 2: Farhan, Mei Ping, Ada, Attasha, Eugenia, Jill, Sin Hwee, Wei Jie , Yao Qi, Yus, Su, Vishal

Shift 1 (J2 lunch)
Be at the canteen near the PE office right after your lesson (during lunch period) at 1140am.
You can have lunch at 1240pm and can go for assembly.

Shift 2 (J1 lunch)
Take over at 1240pm.
If you want to watch the assembly, you can do so during the J1s assembly before 1240pm (that is during your lunch period)
At 140, pack everything up and can go for another ½ hour of assembly.

If, we cant finish selling the items during lunch, people from these classes, 23B, 27A, 25A, (Gerald, Afiq, Wen Zheng, Su, Yus, Mei Ping) please help to set up at 310 and start selling again. We will end at 410. The rest can come and help out after your classes end.

Please take note of the PRICES but I will have the prices written on a paper for respective items.

Pouch (15) - $2.50
Headband (14) - $3
Secret Box (5) - $5
Magnet (19) - $1.50
Bracelet (8) - $1.50
Scarf (good) (7) - $7
(bad) (12) - $5
Chapteh (20) - 1 for $2, 3 for $5

*the quantity for each items are written in the bracket

Any enquires, contact me:)
-fairuz

Labels: Domain

reflected at 7:41 PM

Friday, March 21, 2008

Groupings

Group 1:
- Kim
- Pei Bao*
- Wen Zheng
- Vishal

Group 2:
- Farhan
- Gerald
- Jill
- Mei Ping*

Group 3:
- Fairuz*
- Alfred
- Myint Zu
- Satish

Group 4:
- Eugenia*
- Yao Qi
- Su
- Marvin

* denotes leader.

Games Station
Games Station 1:
'Obstacle course'
People in charge: Marcus and Sin Hwee
Details: Raffia strings will be given to selected 8 students to complete a 'simple' obstacle course at the fitness corner. The course route will be given in details next week.

Games Station 2:
'Caterpillar Crawl' (the one that we did at the leadership workshop)
People in charge: Michelle and Emma
Details: The kids are supposed to be arranged by their birthdays. You all should know the details of the station, if not, can ask me. (: Location should be at the foyer.

Games Station 3:
'Fill the Bottle' (the one that we did at the leadership workshop)
People in charge: Ada and Sling
Details: There would be a 1.5 litres water bottles with numerous holes on it. Paper cups will be given to the kids to fill the bottles. It will be at around the track area.

Games Station 4:
'Commando Crawl under people' (the one that we did at the leadership workshop)
People in charge: Yus and Attasha
Details: If you all are unsure with this game, can come to me, cause i don't know how to explain when it's typed out. :\ Sorry!

A stopwatch would be given to the station masters. If the amount of prizes that we have is insufficient, a point system would occur, whereby only the champion of the overall games station would be awarded. (Tentative)

Schedule
9.15 to 9.45 > Separation of kids into 4 groups/Getting to know them.
9.45 to 11.15 > Station Games
11.15 to 11.45 > Rest/Select 2 boys and 2 girls for a 100m race, 8 people for a 2 lane 4 x 100m race.
11.45 to 12.30 > Commencement of Track events.
12.30 to 1 > Prize giving ceremony, roll over, finale.

Zooming into 9.45 - 11.15 (Games Station)
At 9.45, Group 1 will head to station 1, Group 2 to station 2, Group 3 to station 3, Group 4 to station 4.
At 10.15, Group 1 will head to station 2, Group 2 to station 3, Group 3 to station 4, Group 4 to station 1.
At 10.45, Group 1 will head to station 3, Group 2 to station 4, Group 3 to station 1, Group 4 to station 2.
At 11.15, Group 1 will head to station 4, Group 2 to station 1, Group 3 to station 2, Group 4 to station 3.

The time slots are fixed to be 30mins in the case mentioned above, in the event when you end earlier, you can choose to take a rest with your groups or maybe proceed on to the next station. There is a very very little chance of ending later, however, if it does happen, hasten your speed in the next station to prevent delays. (:

Who to look for when there're injuries
Our first aiders: Xinying and Weejie. (Make sure all of you have their numbers)

Details of the Event:
Date: 29 March 2008 (Saturday)
Estimated number of students: 40
You are required to report at around 8.30 for the preparation of the game station. (Tentative)

See you there! (:
Feel free to ask me any enquiries!

Labels: Domain

reflected at 12:31 PM

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

while browsing through the folders i can say there are definitely alot of photos catching the essences of what we have experienced and learnt over in cambodia. however i chose this photo over the rest mainly because it reminded me of what sparked my irritation which led to a somewhat moodless/grumpy lesson for me in kravan pr.

we have all surely realized that there were quite a number of children crowding outside the classrooms while lessons are being conducted; looking on/listening in/ or just joining in from the outside. these are the morning-session students coming back in their home clothes (or vice versa) for another shot at maybe learning smth or just having fun. their eagerness and devotion initially overwhelmed me...until they started sitting in the class- doubling the strength, dividing the class into the learnt and the learning and making it difficult for us teach properly

i have to say that i am not very proud of how i had reacted to the situation because we did eventually overcome the complications. but this incident did teach me to handle distress and frustration in a less hasty manner because it might affect the people around me as well (i.e. the children themselves cos at the end of the lesson i had more flower-drawings than usual hee hee)

something else that all of us can gain from these group of students is of course the maturity of appreciating our well-structured education and making the best out of it for ourselves....just as the earnestness portrayed from the kravan pr children for their not-as-well-structured education has moved us

Labels: Aisyah

reflected at 11:54 AM

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

time really flies. a moment ago 30 odd flustered students are panicking on programs fully packed for them in their schedules. logistics, programming, fund-raising, administrating and bonding. the next thing this pack of freshies are already off in Cambodia.

yes, that was us.
30 youngster fully charged but not knowing what to expect.

we never realised how bad the language barrier was.
never thought how hard it was for us to get adapted.
never imagined that things and cultures would be so different.
we did not expect the unexpected.
but we overcome the language barrier minimally
thought of ways to adapt to the new surroundings
accepted the new cultures.
and best of all, we embraced the unexpected together.

for instance, we did not expect to fall sick there. but almost all of us did. and it was really a horrific encounter to fall ill when we're out of our comfort zone. when we don't have the convenient clinics just right below our blocks or down the next street. this. made me learn that humans bond the strongest and fastest under unexpected circumstances. care and concern was reached out to all who fell sick. including me. so i'd like to thank everyone. everyone who went to this trip together. all that contributed into making MissionOPIC possible. just all who make up the very playful bunch of ocip students. because you guys had been incredible. and to the teachers too! for all their care, concern and unduly worrying for us =x. haha. especially Ms Lim who took care of sooo many of the sick patients ((:

some other of my favourites =p

all of our hard work! ((:

things that occur once in a life time.

smiles that made the stars twinkle at night

a team so fabulous.

and that's you guys alright (:

and we know. all was made worthwhile.
just in exchange for those smiles (:

i love ya MissionOPIC! =D

Labels: Michelle

reflected at 11:16 PM

after spending 10 days in cambodia, i left with the most enriching and memorable experience that anybody would be jealous of!
i still remembered the first day when we stepped into the school, not knowing what to expect from the kids there; as though we were j1s stepping into the school for the first time.

the purpose of this trip is to 'provide the light that they need' and we did that by interacting with them and also construction work. constructing was hard work and we soon complained how hard it was before the job was even half done. it was a rare sight to see us climbing scaffoldings painting the walls but the thing that impresses me the most was the workers there. like what mr lim said, i really admire the workers creativity and efficiency. at the point when we have difficulty painting the upper parts of the walls, the workers came up with the idea of using improvised branches at the snap of a finger. they did not let the environment affect them and instead 'conquered' the environment and certainly made our work much easier.

we also interacted with them by teaching them. although our lives was not made much easier by the language barrier, the kids still showed much enthusiasm and being fast learners, it soon became very fun interacting with them. they are not afraid of being the first to try things or be embarassed about it, unlike singapore students (no offence). also, they can find joy when we ask them to do simple things like making bookmarks or even colouring as the pictures show. singapore students don't even bother to do stuffs that they find boring. i really admire them!

the pictures also show the kids having fun during our teaching sessions and when they are receiving the donation items. but i think that they will appreciate us being with them and interacting with them more. they will no doubt enjoy and benefit from the donation items but it is the experience with us and our experience with them that both they and us will remember for the rest of our lives!

Good work, fellow OPIC-ers! i will no doubt remember the times spend with you all at cambodia :)

Labels: Gerald

reflected at 11:14 PM

okay, i didn't particularly choose any photo to blog on because photobucket was down when i wanted to get the pictures. So, yeah. I'll just blog without the picture.

Okay, this ocip trip is definately a eye-opener and a very fruitful one. This is not like the usual school trip where we just go there for some sight-seeing and leisure, we went on this trip with a mission to help the people over there, which makes this trip even more meaningful than any other trip.

During the trip, i had a chance to experience their kind of lifestyle and get to do things like cementing the floor and teaching the kids in Cambodia. Its something that i definately wont get a chance to do over here at Singapore. I feel that the kids over there has also influenced me alot, although they are like much poorer than us, but we can always see a smile on their faces and they are very contented even if they receive just a small gift from us and they are very very polite. Over here in Singapore, we are like more financially-abled but yet we still always grumble about not having enough clothes and stuffs.

So after this trip, i've learnt to be more contented with what i have and i realised that we are actually way more fortunate than alot of people out there, yeah, so im glad that i actually went on this ocip trip and i hope we can go back there again next year to visit the kids over there and take a look at the hard court that we've constructed. hopefully its still intact after one year :)

Labels: Mei Ping

reflected at 4:55 PM

This trip has been an enriching experience for me where I learnt and developed understanding and awareness of the larger community and the world, apart from the little red dot that I stayed. Though this was not my first time out of Singapore, it however was my first time to a developing country where culture, systems and ways of life differs very much from what is experienced here in Singapore. This experience in Cambodia has broadened my perspective and helps developed an appreciation of what I have in life; especially so after seeing how the kids struggle in school without basic infrastructure. For our generation, many things come by easily without having us to fight for it. I have come to realise that this is so not because the things are invaluable or cheap, but simply because someone else work hard for it. The simple joys the villager kids find in the ordinaries have also led me to seek similar ones in my own everyday life – relationship, especially close ones with family members. Many of the things the school, the kids, the construction crews, this mission OPIC taught are intangibles. The service we offered to them on the other hand is tangibles in terms of direct assistance and donations. Yet, I am compelled to feel that we have learnt more from them than them from us. I remembered how I hopped on to this trip with much enthusiasm and ideals at the beginning, hoping to make a difference in people’s life. But along the way, I came to realise that the change we could made is very minimal, for how much a change to standard of living or society can we made within days of teaching in just a school, considering the short term and nature of this trip. Change does not occur overnight and it takes generations to make things change. Ultimately, it’s the Cambodian themselves who would call for the change. Nonetheless, I still feel that our trip has empowered some of them to reach out for more in life, perhaps contributing to the change in society.

Labels: Pei Bao

reflected at 4:42 PM

the ten days spent in cambodia was one of the most enriching and different school trip i've had so far. i would certainly never forget the look of appreciation after each student received their donation items. what might seem like any other ordinary bottle of mineral water to us, is actually considered as a luxury item to some of them. the contribution that the 30 of us provided might not be a life changing experience for them, but i'm certain, it created a small stepping stone for them in to the future.

One thing I learnt from the teachers and students from Kravan, was how happy they are to just be able to help out in anyway they can, be it carry buckets of water or sand for us, or sweeping the floor together with us. What they lack of in terms of items, they make up for in providing their services. It was certainly heartwarming to see the students from the disabled school lend us a helping hand in forming the human chain and passing the buckets of soil and sand. Even with their disability, it did not prevent them from helping out. There were even no sounds of complains. It certainly did put me to shame as I grumbled about how tired I was feeling due to the past days work. Their enthusiasm and energy is something that I definitely can reflect upon.

Another thing I learnt while spending my days there was how the locals did not let anything obstruct their way of getting on with life. Despite their impoverished status, they still get up early in the morning, finding opportunities/jobs to earn whatever little cash they can, taking pride in their work. Munrath and the three construction workers are the few such examples. They are not inclined to help us. They could have just told us what to do and left us figuring things out on our own. Yet it wasn’t the case. Munrath was actively helping us out with the construction and the translation, and the construction workers could have left the school the same time as us each day. Munrath even spent some time teaching me about the different vegetation they have and how they can be cooked.

Having gone through this trip, experiencing it together with my friends, has certainly created an impact on me.

Labels: Sling

reflected at 4:10 PM

The trip was definitely an eye opener and a very rewarding one. The many enriching experiences that are never insipid have made me more exposed to the world and i’m sure i have gained a lot from it.

I had a chance of trying and experiencing new things that I may never have a chance to in Singapore. Such as Construction (cementing the well and floor) and even teaching. We even decided to improvise and use the human chain to transport cement. Teaching the children, especially young ones, were never easy too. Communication barrier was one factor and the short attention span of the children was another. However, the children were fast learners and were quite coorporative.

Seeing the children in Cambodia made me realise how much I take things for granted in Singapore. For example, drinking water. There was never a time I saw the children of Kravan school having a water bottle or even drinking water. And the sight of them begging and pointing to our bottles is indeed a heart wrenching one. And seeing their happy faces on receiving something small and insignificant, for example a piece of colour paper, makes me feel guilty that I still have many wants in Singapore.

I believe we brought fun and happiness to the children there and they appreciate it too. They gave me many things such as drawings, bangles and flowers each day. It really showed the impact we had on them. =)

The many new friendships made were wonderful. They made the trip more fun for me with their jokes and laughter. Oh ya. Shopping was really fun. I had a go at my haggling skills =)

This trip was never somber and definitely worth it! Three cheers.

Labels: Jill

reflected at 1:01 PM

The trip to Cambodia has been an enriching and unforgettable experience. I’ll never forget the amicable culture of the Cambodians and the beaming faces of the school children. I remembered the very first day when we stepped into the dilapidated school, we were greeted by the affable children that melted our hearts. Although these children do not have the basic needs such as clean water, proper stationary and facilities, they were contented with their way of life and even appreciated the fact that they have an education. Having an education is a privilege for them and they know it. Therefore interacting and teaching the children were such a pleasure. Even though the content that we have taught them were not sufficient nor satisfying to their needs due to the language barrier, I am sure that the children all had fun learning new songs, cheers and simple English. The construction work that we did benefit them and that made us contented. The children never failed to amaze us with their helpfulness, innocence and joy that were contagious and eventually spread to us. That is why we loved going to the school to do both the construction and interaction with the kids due to the satisfaction and joy that we derived from them. Not only did we give them the light, in terms of basic facilities and teachings, but also they too have given us the light- a new perception to how we see things after we go back.
I guess in Singapore, it is rare to be in a class filled with exuberant students, all eager to learn. I have learnt that being a Singaporean is a prerogative that we failed to realize at times. We are blessed with so many opportunities and comfort that we often take them for granted. After the trip, I came back appreciating simple things like food, water and clean toilets. All in all, mission OPIC has been and will be the most memorable trip I have ever been. (:

Labels: Kimberly

reflected at 1:01 AM

Monday, January 7, 2008

REFLECTIONS!

1. ALWAYS ALWAYS CHECK EXPIRY DATES ON FOOD. (super important)
2. Bring medicine everywhere!

This trip seriously taught me how not to take things for granted. While most ppl might think that taking things for granted will be the usual water, shelter, clothing, love, money da da daa..
What I've really learnt is to NOT take food for granted. I guess I have been living in a really safe world until the day I stayed in and realised that food safety is also very important.
STUPID RICE KRISPIES.
If we dont watch what we eat, ppl will start falling sick and the team has a lower morale.
Therefore, in conclusion, the next time we go to Cambodia, please bring food from SINGAPORE! =)
One more thing that really stuck with me throughout the trip was that how change comes about by one small action. When we said our first HELLO to the kids, (i think la) that we sort of brought hope into their lives; maybe for a better studying enviroment or simply just giving them the attention that they want(cos their teachers cant really give every single child attention). This really taught me to be more pro-active, in a sense wherby it motivates me to do things, rather than sit and wait for change to arrive.
Dont worry! I'm not going to ramble about Ahmad and no pictures too. They're all for ME! haha!

BLONDIE'S MY FAVOURITE!
love love him!
cheers ppl!
taking care.

Labels: Amanda

reflected at 11:38 PM

Well its finally time to blog about the ocip trip to Cambodia last november. I believe this trip has left everyone single member of ocip with lasting memories and that includes the teachers. Everyone's hardwork ever since the beginning of Misson Opic in early 2007 paid off in the end.

This trip provided me with an opportunity to reach out and provide a service to the needy people of Cambodia. I'm glad I had the chance to do my part to help the Cambodian kids. During the trip, I had my chance to interact with local kids and I finally understoood the miserable and difficult way of life they have to endure and yet their passion for learning never wavered. I taught these kids for three whole days in classrooms that were hot and stuffy and still they were ever so attentive. I decided to put myself in their shoes and I realised I may never be able to learn with such enthusiasm in such conditions. A typical Singaporean who complains at the slightest of discomfort can never do so. I really admire the Cambodian kids for this.

For another part of the trip, we were given a chance to help better the facilities and amenities of kravan primary. It was extremely satisfying after contributing to the refurnishing and renovating of their classroom, providing the kids with a better environment to study and learn. I believe that with the kids' passion for learning and drive to improve themselves, coupled with the better learning environment. They will do even better.

This trip has brought me great satisfaction and fulfilled my desire to lend a helping hand to those who are in need in the world. Through this trip, I also gained a different perspective of life, by helping me realise the life I'm leading now is so great and that I will have to learn to treasure every single moment of it. I loved every single moment of the ocip trip and I have gained alot from it. It is an experience I will never forget and I will keep with me through my life journey serving as guiding light.

Labels: Marcus

reflected at 11:25 PM

Through this trip to Cambodia, i guess i truly realised how fortunate/unfortunate i am to be a Singapore kidd.

Fortunate being that i get to go to school (since its compulsary) and that there is sufficient opportunities for everyone. This however, is lacking sorely in Cambodia and the kids there are really deprived. Potable water is not readily available and some of them do not even have foot-ware. Not forgetting that those kids who can afford to go to school are more fortunate than their counterparts. (Who knows how the even less fortunate children are faring there.) Beggars, most of them without some limbs, are a common sight and its' hard to not let your heart go out to them.
This being said, however, the Cambodian people are also very fortunate to a certain extent. They lead a more carefree life and are more optimistic than most of us. (We hardly hear the children complain.) To them, school is a place where they can have fun and learn something in the process, whereas for us, going to school is a drudgery.

Unfortunate being that, as a Singapore kid, i feel that most of us have lost our childhood innocence. School grades, homework, materialistic wants are all that cloud our minds. (Unlike the Cambodian kids where they know when to study and when to have fun. They find joy and satisfaction in even the simplest of things) Most of us do not have any skills and are very unwilling to help others, unlike them. They are able to improvise (convert a broom into many painbrushes) and even volunteer readily to help in the laying of bricks and carrying of cement to the well. We really have much to learn from them and as Mr. Sim said: "We might be getting more than what we give to them".

On the whole, i have learnt not to keep focusing on what i lack and instead, look at things from another angle, at how much i already have. I am truly much more fortunate than most of the Cambodian kids and should be contented.

Labels: Yao Qi

reflected at 11:17 PM

After reading previous entries by fellow opic-ers, I realized that most of them commented on the living standards of Cambo and how the (cute!) kids made a great impact on them. I do agree with all their opinions and I too feel the same way.

However, the person whom I learnt from the most is Bunrath. I can’t find a picture of him like, alone, so I’ll just use the group photo we took at Angkor Wat. Besides helping us adapt in Cambodia, translating for us, find Indian restaurants for lunch, get supplies for the construction and helping us out, I think what I’ve learnt most from him is being versatile. The first time I saw him I was pretty sure that he is going to be some ultra boring tour guide who goes “ladiegentlemen” whenever he starts explaining stuff. But hey, he surprised me when, he got down and diirrrtaayee with us when we did the construction. He even assisted in the cementing of both the corridor and hard court. This is definitely not a common sight especially in Sing-Ga-Pore. Tell me, do you think tour guides from Singapore will get down and dirty and all sweaty doing construction? Well, Hell No!! (Pardon my language). They would probably be too afraid to break their nails or get their designer shoes dirty. (How much do they earn anyway?) Okay back to my point, I think Bunrath is like a bar of Kinder Bueno. I believe that even though Bunrath is a tour guide on the outside, which is a well paying job in Cambodia since their tourism industry is expanding, deep down, he is one strong man. Because from the way he helped out during the construction, I know that there is definitely one point of time in his life that he has done the same laborious job of mixing the cement etc, and just like a kinder bueno, the hazelnut filling is the base of it ergonomic and appealing design. And just like a kinder bueno, which simple causes an explosion in your mouth, I believe that Bunrath has made a great impact on our trip. This is definitely a lesson on “ don’t judge a book on its cover” for me. Oh! He also taught me how to write my name in their Khmer alphabets/characters. Coolstuffxzxzxzxzxzxzx.

I hope I wrote something that makes sense. lol. See y'all tomorrow.

Till Next Time,

Skinner.Yo

Labels: Sakinah

reflected at 10:30 PM

In this trip to Cambodia i've learnt what is the meaning of sharing.Sharing isn't just like distributing things to the people around but it is the distributing of love to the people around you which money can't buy.

I can't really say i've contributed much to this trip but i have my fair share of whats being done. Alright. i've helped my fellow OPIC-ers to translate the Cambodian language and breech the gap between us and the Cambodian kids and this really help alot along the trip as we are able to relate and tell what we are trying to do to the kids.SO alright man.

Erm i can't really feel how i feel now as in like erm my emotions?
i feel glad, happy, thrilled to be part of this project no words can describe the emotions i felt after helping those kids and you really have to be there and to feel what i feel, so alright man.

ER, i think i've become more independent and i treasure what i have and erm i am kinda more resposible a bit la but not to much la then like i will try to help people cross the road something like that, you get what i mean ? So Alright MAN!

CAMBODIA IS KINDA FUN.

Labels: Wen Zheng

reflected at 9:52 PM