5A04 CHUNG LAM SAU 鍾淋秀
Last school year, I took part in the Youth Leadership Development Scheme organised by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) with seven schoolmates in the prefect team. During the summer holiday, I and Liu Lai Na were recommended to participate in a Chiang Mai Overseas Service Trip in Thailand. What impressed me most was the bond and interaction between people.
We started volunteering the day we arrived Chiang Mai, mainly assisting villagers in building water storage tanks so that water could flow smoothly into each household for their daily use. We were responsible for carrying water pipes and stones, and the villagers who were traveling with us, who were also members of our host family, were responsible for technical support. They stood on a steeper hillside, with scythes tied around their waists, and shuttled through the jungle. There were men, women, old and young, no more than 20 people in total, but they were carrying heavy responsibilities on their shoulders. Watching them work together to create resources and protect each other's homes, allowed us to truly see their wisdom and hands-on ability.
Although we went to the mountains every day for activities at noon and lost a lot of time together, in a short period of less than three days, the relationship between us was deeper than imagined. The host's mother thought the steel wool used for washing dishes was too rough, so she bought three new and soft sponges for us to wash the dishes. This made me have mixed feelings. On one hand, I felt warm about it, but on the other hand, I felt guilty because it seems like we have caused them a lot of unnecessary expenses.
On the day of farewell, the host family gave us hand-knitted cloth bags, and I drew the cards for them. Some people say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Even if there are no words, under the intersection of each other's eyes, we can perceive each other's emotions like telepathy. Although there was a language barrier between us, we only spoke simple Thai, as the host's grandma opened her arms and hugged me and looked at each other. At that moment, countless moments of getting along came to mind, and we couldn't help but have red and wet eyes. Grandma used her calloused hands, wiped away my tears, kissed my forehead, and sent her most sincere blessings.
Last but not least, I am grateful for this precious opportunity, which has allowed me to develop relationships that transcend race and language. At the same time, I also deeply understand the great significance behind volunteer service.
5B13 LIU LAI NA 廖麗娜
這個暑假，我和另外六位領袖生參加了由香港基督教青年會舉行的「傲翔新世代」全方位青年領袖訓練計劃，我和5A鍾淋秀同學有幸獲選參加為期六日的泰國清邁服務團，當中的回憶及得著非少。旅途中，有歡笑有淚水，有幸福有心酸。這個服務團在我的人生中留下了特殊的印記。
為何說是「特殊」？不同於普通的交流團住在酒店、城市中，清邁服務團是進入了一個小村莊，住在寄宿家庭中。那裡沒有網絡，只有一班很溫暖樸素的村民，每天會為我們準備泰國的美食，為我們親手織了一個袋子，祝我們一路平安。
所謂「服務團」，代表我們的每一天都是在做服務。包括在叢林搬水管、教村中的小朋友英文、去田裡插秧等。村內的水管在一次颱風後全部倒塌，必須重新裝修，村內才可以供水。在完成的最後工序，溪水從水管內潺潺流出，村民們爆發出的歡呼聲，每個人臉上的笑容，讓我覺得這一切都是值得的。我在這個村莊裡，留下了自己的足印。
在面對兩個兩歲的泰國小朋友時，我使盡全身解數，想和她們一起玩耍。在翻過全部行李後，我只發現了兩隻微不足道的摺紙青蛙，摺得也不好看，可他們卻視若珍寶，玩得很開心。看著她們臉上的笑容，可我卻笑不起來，心裡漲漲酸酸的。她們的笑容在我心中種下了一顆種子。
這顆種子在我心中發芽。回程的路上，我不捨、遺憾。直到踏在香港的土地上，我還有一種恍惚的感覺，是水泥地，不是黃泥混著溪水的泥地，讓我有了恍如隔世的感覺。回到家裡，對平日有吸引力的電子產品已經不感興趣，心中依然想念那幾天的服務團。或許，過了這次服務團後，我會選擇參加更多的義工服務，幫助他人。那顆在清邁村莊種下的種子，會繼續在我心裡茁壯生長。
5B13 LIU LAI NA 廖麗娜
這個暑假，我和另外六位領袖生參加了由香港基督教青年會舉行的「傲翔新世代」全方位青年領袖訓練計劃，我和5A鍾淋秀同學有幸獲選參加為期六日的泰國清邁服務團，當中的回憶及得著非少。旅途中，有歡笑有淚水，有幸福有心酸。這個服務團在我的人生中留下了特殊的印記。
為何說是「特殊」？不同於普通的交流團住在酒店、城市中，清邁服務團是進入了一個小村莊，住在寄宿家庭中。那裡沒有網絡，只有一班很溫暖樸素的村民，每天會為我們準備泰國的美食，為我們親手織了一個袋子，祝我們一路平安。
所謂「服務團」，代表我們的每一天都是在做服務。包括在叢林搬水管、教村中的小朋友英文、去田裡插秧等。村內的水管在一次颱風後全部倒塌，必須重新裝修，村內才可以供水。在完成的最後工序，溪水從水管內潺潺流出，村民們爆發出的歡呼聲，每個人臉上的笑容，讓我覺得這一切都是值得的。我在這個村莊裡，留下了自己的足印。
在面對兩個兩歲的泰國小朋友時，我使盡全身解數，想和她們一起玩耍。在翻過全部行李後，我只發現了兩隻微不足道的摺紙青蛙，摺得也不好看，可他們卻視若珍寶，玩得很開心。看著她們臉上的笑容，可我卻笑不起來，心裡漲漲酸酸的。她們的笑容在我心中種下了一顆種子。
這顆種子在我心中發芽。回程的路上，我不捨、遺憾。直到踏在香港的土地上，我還有一種恍惚的感覺，是水泥地，不是黃泥混著溪水的泥地，讓我有了恍如隔世的感覺。回到家裡，對平日有吸引力的電子產品已經不感興趣，心中依然想念那幾天的服務團。或許，過了這次服務團後，我會選擇參加更多的義工服務，幫助他人。那顆在清邁村莊種下的種子，會繼續在我心裡茁壯生長。
5A04 CHUNG LAM SAU 鍾淋秀
Last school year, I took part in the Youth Leadership Development Scheme organised by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) with seven schoolmates in the prefect team. During the summer holiday, I and Liu Lai Na were recommended to participate in a Chiang Mai Overseas Service Trip in Thailand. What impressed me most was the bond and interaction between people.
We started volunteering the day we arrived Chiang Mai, mainly assisting villagers in building water storage tanks so that water could flow smoothly into each household for their daily use. We were responsible for carrying water pipes and stones, and the villagers who were traveling with us, who were also members of our host family, were responsible for technical support. They stood on a steeper hillside, with scythes tied around their waists, and shuttled through the jungle. There were men, women, old and young, no more than 20 people in total, but they were carrying heavy responsibilities on their shoulders. Watching them work together to create resources and protect each other's homes, allowed us to truly see their wisdom and hands-on ability.
Although we went to the mountains every day for activities at noon and lost a lot of time together, in a short period of less than three days, the relationship between us was deeper than imagined. The host's mother thought the steel wool used for washing dishes was too rough, so she bought three new and soft sponges for us to wash the dishes. This made me have mixed feelings. On one hand, I felt warm about it, but on the other hand, I felt guilty because it seems like we have caused them a lot of unnecessary expenses.
On the day of farewell, the host family gave us hand-knitted cloth bags, and I drew the cards for them. Some people say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Even if there are no words, under the intersection of each other's eyes, we can perceive each other's emotions like telepathy. Although there was a language barrier between us, we only spoke simple Thai, as the host's grandma opened her arms and hugged me and looked at each other. At that moment, countless moments of getting along came to mind, and we couldn't help but have red and wet eyes. Grandma used her calloused hands, wiped away my tears, kissed my forehead, and sent her most sincere blessings.
Last but not least, I am grateful for this precious opportunity, which has allowed me to develop relationships that transcend race and language. At the same time, I also deeply understand the great significance behind volunteer service.