During our 13-day Service Learning Journey in South Vietnam, our team from Hall 6 had the privilege of working across both rural and urban environments, starting with 10 days in Tra Vinh Province. Our main project in Tra Vinh involved constructing a community centre at the Hoa Tan commune. This initiative allowed us to collaborate with the local community in creating a valuable space that will serve them for years to come. Alongside the construction work, we taught primary and secondary children English, Sports, Arts, and Science through interactive and engaging lesson plans, which made the learning experience enjoyable for the children.
In addition to teaching, our team contributed to the daily operations by assisting with meal preparation, reinforcing the spirit of shared responsibility within the group. A major highlight was the cultural exchange with the Vietnamese volunteers from Eco Vietnam Group, who worked closely with us. We held a Cultural Exchange Night, where both sides shared about their cultures – our team introduced Singaporean traditions while the Vietnamese volunteers showcased their rich heritage. A cultural food exchange followed, where both teams cooked and shared their local dishes, deepening the connection between us.
Our time in Tra Vinh was further enriched by participating in the Phong Thanh CVC Community Library event. Our team, along with others, performed cultural presentations and donated items to the children at the library, making it a heartfelt and memorable day. Additionally, we engaged in local learning journeys, visiting households, supporting them with donations, exploring the Macapuno coconut farm – a social enterprise – and experiencing a fish-catching activity at a local fish farm.
The final phase of our journey took us to Ho Chi Minh City, where we spent three days immersing ourselves in urban life. At Van Lang University, we participated in a student exchange programme, sharing our university experiences and learning about the local education system. We also visited social enterprises such as Grandma Lu, a startup, and Mai Handicrafts, which supports disadvantaged women. To round off the trip, we explored key cultural landmarks like the General Post Office, Reunification Palace, and War Remnants Museum, which provided us with valuable insights into Vietnam’s rich history and culture.
This OCEP experience taught us valuable lessons about cultural exchange and showed us the impact on the lives of the villagers in the Tra Vinh province, which makes it unforgettable and memorable.
Through this trip, I have witnessed how the spirit of volunteering and giving transcends all boundaries, including language and physical barriers. I have learnt many things from every single one of the OaSix members and Vietnamese team and I will keep them close to my heart. Regardless of our different personalities and background, I love that we all have the same heart to serve. Lim Pei Jun Rena, Publicity and Publications
About Hall 6 OASIX 2024
Hall 6 OASIX 2024 is spearheaded by Hall 6 OASIX, which is the volunteering committee of Hall of Residence 6. We are made up of individuals with the heart to serve our local and international community. We hope to learn through our experiences and also make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
