Week 1: Why I'm Here
"You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give." -Winston Churchill
Which is why, as a double econ and information systems major, I ultimately want to work in 3rd world countries, specifically their economic and technological infrastructure development. Even though I was originally looking into volunteering in South Africa, having been in Vietnam for less than 5 days already and finally getting to meet the kids I'll be helping, I am so glad and happy I am here and there's no place I'd rather be right now. In the face of hard circumstances, these kids have the biggest hearts and the happiest smiles.
It's hard to think I've been here less than a week and I've already seen so much. Today I went to the Prison (Our volunteer coordinator leader Duc, aka Fearless Leader, said in his broken English,"Ya ya, going to Prison would be good for you.") And stopped by the Saint Joseph Cathedral.
Also this week, I got to meet some pretty crazy Japanese volunteers who
were doing a different project with Fisher village. Most were in college, while there was a 30 year old and a 60 year old. Most of them are reoccuring volunteers since they only live 5 hours away. This was their last week, so the past couple of nights they have been celebrating...some a little too hard.
We held a small goodbye party where they cooked us Japanese food!! Arigato!!
It's a pretty common goal-almost cliche and trite- for a person to dream of one day changing the world or 'make a difference'. Of course, I am less naive as I once was and have narrowed the scope to maybe not the whole world and maybe not all 6 and half billion lives. Realistically, as long as I get to make someone's life a little bit better or someone's job a little bit easier, and the world a little bit happier, then that's all I can hope for: to make an indelible impact, big or small.
Which is why, as a double econ and information systems major, I ultimately want to work in 3rd world countries, specifically their economic and technological infrastructure development. Even though I was originally looking into volunteering in South Africa, having been in Vietnam for less than 5 days already and finally getting to meet the kids I'll be helping, I am so glad and happy I am here and there's no place I'd rather be right now. In the face of hard circumstances, these kids have the biggest hearts and the happiest smiles.It's hard to think I've been here less than a week and I've already seen so much. Today I went to the Prison (Our volunteer coordinator leader Duc, aka Fearless Leader, said in his broken English,"Ya ya, going to Prison would be good for you.") And stopped by the Saint Joseph Cathedral.Also this week, I got to meet some pretty crazy Japanese volunteers who
were doing a different project with Fisher village. Most were in college, while there was a 30 year old and a 60 year old. Most of them are reoccuring volunteers since they only live 5 hours away. This was their last week, so the past couple of nights they have been celebrating...some a little too hard.We held a small goodbye party where they cooked us Japanese food!! Arigato!!
This has been a crazy, overwhelming, dirty, raining, hot, humid, tiring week and though I had no expectations coming in, I wouldn't have it any other way. Now off to Ha Long Bay for the weekend!!!
glad that you cherish your blessing with the opportunity to be there to serve those children. Have a blast at Ha Long Bay, enjoy your imazing journey! Cant wait to read more of your blog. May Guardian Angle watch over you !! we Love You!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you are making the difference, big or small, it's from your heart - your folks are proud of you, Alexia!! Knowing your mom, she must be tearing up the past few days :).
ReplyDeleteSky is the limit, set your big dreams & high goals then just go for it. Use common sense, trust your instinct, be smart on things, work hard & you will get there.
Be SAFE!!!