Day 4 Reflection – Xue’er

The thing I most enjoyed and benefitted from this trip would be teaching an interacting with the students of Ban Mae Sa School. I enjoyed it as it was fun trying and failing to communicate with them as well as leading them in their work. I benefitted from this as it helped me learn to put up a false front of confidence even when I am not.

The thing that was the most challenging was communication.In fact, due to our lack of communication, twice I was left out of group meetings and I had felt angry and hurt that I was not included when I did not know that the first time it happened was because they were trying to be nice and let me focus on my work while they did other work. The second time was because I was not aware that we had missing items and was not told due to everyone worrying over last minute material preparation. I regret putting my original anger-fueled thoughts in a previous reflection as it wasn’t fair for me to have just said it without knowing their reasons behind their actions.

The Most prominent thing I learnt from the visit to the Royal Sufficiency Project site is that a great change followed with success comes with everyone working in the same way and together. Not as 1 person, village or provinence, but as a nation. In order for their goals to be reached by that theory’s means, it would take all to make a concious effort to make it work.

When we go back to Singapore, I will try and upcycle more of my items instead of immediately throwing them out when I’m done with them or they have been broken.

Day 3 Reflection ~ Diana

The past 3 days of service learning meant happiness, growth and discipline. Happiness because not only did we give the Thai students a lot of smiles but they also have given us happiness to get our minds off school for these 3 days. I have learnt so much from the school and my peers for my improvement. I saw the value discipline in my students. During my P5 lesson, there were some students who did not have writing materials so I gave those students my pens without telling them to return to me. After the lesson, they immediately returned my pens without having to ask for them back. I was touched because due to the language barrier I did not tell them to return the pens but still knew that they should return it.

The experience that had impacted me was being able to teach the students. I saw the eagerness and the willingness of the students to learn. Despite not understanding something, they got help from their friends to be able to catch up and follow through the lesson.

Day 3 Reflection – Xue’er

The past 3 days’ service learning taught me how to deal with hyperactive kids XD and how to try and communicate with people with a language barrier. I Also learnt That hardwork pays off as 3 days of painting later the basketball court was looking like new, allowing the Students of Ban Mae Sa School to have a nice place to play.

The painting and teaching hav both impacted me. The painting because originally, I Thought we would never finish and that allour work would amount to nothing. The teaching as I learnt how to make signs That help the kids and I understand One another better, as well as how oversimplifying things will not work out in your favor even if it was to customise to the kids’ level. The changed me as 1. the painting taught me to think positively and work hard to Ensure success. and 2. the teaching taught me That not Everything will go according to plan an we Should just move on from any complications.

I used to think that teaching does not create a Strong bond between student and Teacher, now I think No know That it does, though not of my own experience, I saw many of the Other OSL Students forge these new bonds throught their lessons.I used to think that painting is just an action, nobody will care about it an no one will Thank You for it, now I think That yes, people do appreciate this small action done for others.I used to think teaching is boring and stale, now I think that it may be stale but with a language barrier comes need for various methods of communication through action, lowering the boredom of it in place of somewhat frustration.

( original was posted yesterday, but apparently it did not happen as when I logged on to check it was blank So I just copy pasted what I Had typed in my notes. Sorry)

Day 2 Reflection ～ Diana

The highlight of the day is teaching Electronics to the students. Although it was something new for them, it did not affect their attitude towards learning. They were fascinated and deeply engaged in trying to light the bulb.

The lowest point of the day is having to go back to our hotel from the second school that we went to, to know about the relationship between Thailand and Japan. I wish we could have stayed longer to know more not only about the history but also the school.

Today I learnt to take feedback from others to improve my skills not only for me but for everyone around me. It is important to respect my peers’ opinions and thoughts for the group to grow.

I did not expect to complete painting most parts of the court but I am proud to see everyone trying to aim and complete the same goal which is to complete painting the court.

Day 2 Reflection – Xue’er

Today’s highlight for me was deifinitely the visit to the Japanese School here. This was because I got to learn about Japanese relations with Thailand and learn more about the Japanese During World War II.

A close second highlight is the math lesson with the P2s. The group I worked with were quick and enthusiastic. They completed learning up to 20 as well as the worksheet question in a short time. I ended up having to give them more questions to entertain them.

Today’s low point was hands down the electronics lesson. The P5 students couldn’t grasp the concept eventhough it had been significantly simplified. The good thing though, was that the actual teaching part was left for last, meaning that they still had tons of fun making the circuit eventhough they didn’t understand how it worked, it Still made them happy that they did.

Unfortunately, today’s Electronics lesson did not go according to plan due to our lack of understanding between one another and how dumbed down the concept was, to the point even I didn’t understand what I was saying. But, as long as they had fun, it was worth it.

Unfortunately, we forgot to Bring the play money to the school. Luckily, there was coloured paper on hand and we grouped together to make them into makeshift play money.

Unfortunately it rained today and our paint job may hav gotten ruined. Fortunately, the other school we went to had clear weather and we were able to go to their memorial for Japanese soldiers in WW2 and their peace bell given by the Japanese to show that they were allies during the WWII.What I did not expect today was that the P5s despite having only 1 OSL student to 5~ kids, They managed to make a closed circuit and had fun doing it too. The ‘had fun’ being unexpected as they seemed to be a more hyperactive class from day 1’s experience.What I did not plan for was how to make sure the P5s understood fully how a circuit works. It’s just too difficult a concept to dumb down and still be able to understand what is being taught or said.

Today I learnt that;

1. I’m a horrendous teacher.

2. My teammates Can become quite impatient when it comes to wanting things when they want it without a wait.

3. P2s can understand english better than the P5s.

4. I absolutely cannot and should not fully depend on my teammates. So far this trip, there was two times they held discussions without my knowledge an both times, Ms Lok had been the one to transfer this information to me, both times, I make it just as everything had been discussed and they were either leaving or getting work done.

Day 1 Reflection ～Diana

My first impression of the school was it having a big classroom with many students.

What surprised me most was that my group was able to engage the students in the lessons we planned. Everyone was helping each other complete the worksheet given.

My confidence level before teaching was 4 because I did not know if I Can teach infront of many people smoothly. But after teaching, my confidence level became 6 as I was able to communicate with the Thai students through actions and got along well with them.

I learnt to appreciate the environment I get to learn in school

Reflection for day 1 – Xue’er

When we first stepped into Ban Mae Sa School, I was intrigued. Not by the buildings and structures, but by the student’s and teacher’s dressing. I saw teachers wearing uniforms, boy and girl uniforms of students were of different coloured bottoms. When we were being introduced to the school, I could hear excited whispers from the student population. From the way the teachers and students dressed and how students whispered and not talked normally made me feel that the school was strict. However, as the first class rolled about, I noticed that though atfirst glance the school seemed strict, the fact was, it wasn’t as strict as you would believe. The students were visibly excited to start their lessons with us.

The thing That surprised me the most was how excited, hardworking and helpful the students were. During the P2 english class, I witnessed the students explain to each other when someone did not understand what to do or how to do it. The P2s were concentrating on just tracing capital and lower case letters. Honestly, it was quite a sight to see, kids helping one another so they can collectively advance, precious! The P5s showed high enthusiasm and followed our instructions throughout the lesson, PE. They seemed to have fun, and I hope they did have fun with us.

My confidence for tomorrow’s lessons, neither dropped nor rose. It is still unlikely for the plans to go off without a hitch. Though we know what we are talking about, due to the language barrier between us and the students, it will be hard to communicate our intentions through quickly and clearly. However, due to us knowing what we want them to do, we can figure out how to show them during breaks.

The best thing that happened to me today was that a random girl student had just comeup to me and gave me this swordfish sticker. It was just interesting to me. We did not know One another, and yet she was able to walk up to me and give me something. Afterwards, I had a short conversation with another student, mostly just introductions. It amazes me just how open and accepting the students are of us just randomly coming in the middle of the year to teach them and help them.

The best thing I learnt today is that any plan I will have, will more than likely go to the scrap pile considering how our first lesson we Had to scrap an idea already and how later in the day my entire plan for a lesson was absolutely, no room for hesitation, scrapped. So, I’m just going to try and wing it. Hopefully that’ll work.

My best time , at least my interpretation of the meaning, was when it was very sunny out, everyone else was painting the other side of the court, and I was painting on my own, resisting the urge to break. Also, how I quickly thought about a different course of teaching once my original one was scrapped. (You could literally see gears turning in my head)

Local VIA @ Willing Hearts – Xue’er

During out local VIA, we were worked to the bone, scooping up veggies, meats and rice to prepare it for the elderly.

During the VIA, we all worked together and although there were some bickering, laughing and aching, we Still worked together as a team and got the job done.

From this experience, I’ve seen first-hand what can be done by people coming together to further their pursuit in achieving a common goal.

We worked hard and helped one another when we saw someone struggle or need to leave, and took over when there were people Leaving to make sure progress was steady.

I really feel that, even if we ourselves did not notice, we grew closer.

Qn 1:

1 difficulty we faced

One difficulty was the initial lack of teamwork. We were all told to do one thing, we were too caught up in doing our own jobs that when there was a choke up at the packing area, we didnt notice until our own work was affected.

Qn 2:

2 things we have done well

1.We took over for one another when we saw that someone needed to use the restroom or leave.

2. We stopped working when problems arise and slow down movement to Ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Qn 3:

1 thing you …learnt about yourself, learnt about your team, takeaway from the experience.

Myself:

Unfortunately, not much, just that I kindof enjoy doing that kind of community work.

Team:

We can work well together if we have a common and very wanted goal. (in this case it was to go home and sleep for many of us)

Takeaway:

If we work together and cooperate Instead of forever bickering, we work well and work efficiently.