There are so many memories that I can't write all. So, after a long time thinking, I decide to narrate as below.
About Charity
What is Charity? Kind heart and altruistic behavior. These years I donated money and clothes, even blood, semi-passively, semi-positively, sometimes called up by my school or company, sometiems just affected by my friends' or relatives' behaviors. I neither knew any of the people which I donated to, nor cared about how they were going to use the money. I did think I am a good person, but I just didn't know how to help and effect other people efficiently.
I'm very lucky to be chosen to Vietnam. What I saw and heard let me know how harsh common life of human being could be, and how hard and valuable to make changes. I saw tremendous changes of several schools, include primary school, kindergarten and preschool, which affect approximate 1000 children----new classrooms, new teaching aids, new toilets, new dormitories, safe water and nutrient food. I saw the smiles and the light of hope on their faces, that made me gratified and happy. Maybe we don't have innumerous money as Mr. and Mrs. Gates, we can't help everyone else who needs help either, however, all the things we did, I think, these are great enough.
I remember the conversation with one of my friends, who did charity more than 3 years in middle Afria. She told me just do anything by your heart. Children from underprivileged areas don't care about neither how rich you are, nor how professionally you did, they just are going to be happy when you come, and be benefited from the new air and concepts taken by you. That's exactly why I took 40 harmonicas there instead of candies or toys. I hope I leave some legacies which are able to influence them longer and further. I tried to make them love and learn how to play harmonica, then planted a seed of pleasure in their heart, since there are so much vapidness and painstaking to be a growup that pleasure is especially important and precious.
I'm quoting what I said to the children at the beginning of the harmonica session:
Now here we are. We would like to be the catchers in the rye, more than this, we would like to be the lifters in the tower. We were not only going to keep you safe, but also help you to stand higher. If you stand higher, you maybe see your dream. That's exactly what I want to say. And that's exactly why we are here.
About Understand
To be honest, I was a little worried about safety issue before I went to Vietnam because I heard Vietnamese people are not very friendly to our Chinese people from newpaper and TV recently. When I came here, I knew it is not true. Everywhere I went I just saw gentle faces and soft voices instead of even tiny weeny hostility. School children welcomed us with flowers and dancing, local people entertained us with heart feast, and couldn't stop toasting " Chúc sức khoẻ!"(means wish you happy and healthy) with corn wine. I want to blend in, even be a part of them, and understand. Yes, that's what I want to say, to understand.
I could understand their hardship and suffering, their steadfast and persevering, and the peace and tranquility on their faces. In one hand, we are different persons, speaking defferent languages, have defferent customs and eating different food; In the other hand, we are just the same---It is the common qualities that make us to be the same human beings, as well as be able to understand each other.
There are too many hatreds and pains, too many struggles and killings, so why? The answer is lack of understanding, I think. Since we can't get closed to each other, get into each other, because we are not able to quench ego, and accept the concept that we are all human beings, the same creatures on the earth. We always hunt after love, but without understanding, love is just like reflection in the water---we can see it, however, never own it.
About Obtainment
I obtained a lot and improved myself in various aspects from this trip. The biggest improvement is about my Chinglish, which always made other volunteers confused at the first few days, and I feel sorry for their having to bear this. Thank god I was able to make fluent conversation at last because of continuous practice and modification. I obtained friendship, knew colleagues from different countries, as well as local friends, who are really good companies and kind persons, and we will keep in touch all the time. I also obtained memories of the the great scenery, unique and delicious food, and all the laugh time, and the most importance---inner peace and happiness in my heart from helping others.
I have known the adage from my childhood---
It is more blessed to give than to receive
I just never understand that totally before this trip. In the classrooms of Lao Cai, I taught children playing harmonica, origami, played and laught with them, I saw their smiling faces, which made me remember my son's face, the same face, having nothing to do with race, nationality, language and culture. I felt released when I saw their smiles, all the wrinkles in my heart unfolded, especially, I was surprised since I found the same smile on their faces back to my face, which I had lost for many years. It was just the time I understood the adage exactly, yes, to give is much better than to receive.
I think I am going to cherish the memory of this feeling, the 100 precent happiness, which could help me to keep the enthusiasm to help others. Contributing some money and time to help who needs help, without looking forward to return, however, getting tremendous happiness back, what's a great bargain!