Phayao Centre Farewell Presentation

Dear All,

Below are the farewell presentation that I've did. The days we spent in the centre are all recorded in this short video presentation. 2 parts in total. I've added in some text to explain the slides for the reader's understanding.

*There are some errors with the audio output. The songs is not playing in the front part, and have overlapped at the later part. -_- Tried a couple of times, it's still the same. So please pardon that. If not turn down the volume. Haha..

Just a little love commitee
That's us! Just 4 of us all from different fields. We are lucky that our organiser has wide contacts of the different centres & organisations in Asia due to his work, which given us a chance to visit Phayao centre.

Stan the organiser, staff of YMCA. Good friend of Qi and Xue. - only male
Qi the initiator & treasurer of the trip, former girl guide. Cousin of Xuan.
Xue the participant, former girl guide. Good friend of Qi and Stan.
Xuan the participant. Cousin of Qi.

The kids from Phayao are just like fallen angels to me. They might be coming from a less fortunate family backgrounds. They might be poor. They might be less educated in terms of academic. Yet they are wealthy at heart. They know how to love and care for people around them. Genuinely.

I remember we brought them out for the outing on Sunday to the town and KFC. The kids are all thrilled. Early in the morning, I saw them putting on their best clothes, all dolled up.. just to go to the town. The smiles on their faces are priceless. As traveling to town for all the kids would require them a bus and it's close to 40 mins ride from the centre, therefore the kids hardly have the chance to go there.

We brought them to their first KFC lunch party followed by a town tour. Can you believe that they had never go to KFC before? What left me a greater impresseion is that one of the questions that the kids asked frequently is: "Pi-Yi, ('Pi' is a polite way of addressing a senior and taking my last name) did you enjoy yourself?"

Serious, I didn't expect a kid to ask me that! Most of the kids would have forgotten all about you while playing. Yet the kids' concern are actually if we had also enjoyed ourselves. When there were fun, they would hold our hands and tell us. When we are taking photos of them, they would volunteer to take one for us. That is them. How sweet!

We are also glad that the centre are providing them such a condusive environment to stay in.

There are far too much to talk about them. Small little things they did that touched my heart. They had changed alot of my perceptions in life... and revive many things that have been forgotten. The smiles, laughter and tears we had there will never be forgotten. I'm sure 10 years back looking at the photos, would have still bring me the same warmth and happiness.

Alright! I know the last part is damn cheesy! Wahahaha.. But we do meant what we say. =) We love them! I do not know if I ever had a chance to go there again (although I'd love to!), but I hope they will not be put down by their less fortunate family background.. and be brave to pursue their own individual's dreams.

Take care, angels from Phayao Centre..

Just a Little love - Part 2

Hey friends!


Seems that I've been taking quite a while to start blogging again about my last trip from Phayao. I've finally got the photos.. Man.. It's really really a lot! I had so much to share, but would have take me forever to post them here. Haha.. So.. I'll try to post as many as possible..


22.02.08
Friday
Chaing mai - Phayao
Day 1 - Ta Smit's concert



Singapore Budget Terminal. Our morning flight to Chiang mai. Tiger airline.

After reaching Chiang Mai airport, we need to take a 20 mins taxi to the bus station. It's a long journey in to Phayao. From there we bought a bus ticket, approx 3 hrs ride to Phayao. Reaching Phayao, is another 45 mins car ride to the centre..


The ticketing booth that sells bus tickets.



Like I said, I was so freaking tired and was hoping that I can catch some sleep on the bus. Just little when I realised that the seat was exceptionally tiny! In singpoare buses, we had 4 seats in a row.. well, in thailand, they squeezes 5 seats in a row! Alright, given that thai ppl are smaller in builds.. ><'' Anyway, we were all perspiring by the time we reached Phayao.. *cold sweat




When we reached the centre, it was already in the evening. We quickly settle down and join the kids for dinner. We are really lucky that night, as there's a special VIP guest in the centre. Which means there's a feast on our 1st day of arrival!


Haha.. I know.. it's mostly all greens! I had amost 7 days stay in the centre. And this is really one of the best meals I had there! I especially love the spicy minced pork to go with the boiled veggies and mushrooms. Not forgetting most of the veggies we had there are farm freshed.. *wink For non veggies lovers, I'd say you might need some time to adjust to the diet there. Veggies and minced pork is their main dishes there.




Yeap, I was mentioning there was a VIP guest in the centre. It's their local teen's heartthrob.. Ta Smit! serious.. we all didn't even know that he's a singer in thailand, until we were told so. Mainly because he seems so friendly, without the slightless air in him. No wonder the kids were all crazy over him! Haha.. but the funny part is.. Througout the whole concert, I didn't even took a single picture of him.. ><'' I was so busy taking pictures and videos of the children that I've forgotten him. *shrugs! So I got no choice but to grab this from the internet for my readers' info. =p


Some side information of him.. Ta Smit is only mere 19 yrs old this year. Currently a new singer in thailand. He gains his fame from many of the teenagers. He's also a frequent visitor of the centre, who will always hold the centre a mini concert yearly. For a star like him.. I thought that is really sweet of him.. =) He really brought a lot of joys to the kids and staffs there. =)



The centre also opens to the public, so that the neighbours of the centre could also enjoy his concert.


It's the kids turn to perform for Ta Smit.


This is my 1st time seeing the kids dancing. They were so so cute! They did not reveal a single bit of shyness when they were dancing on ths stage. I'm impressed. I totally enjoyed their performance!



The kids had a crazy night! After which is them snatching to get his autographs and photos. While the 4 of us headed to our bed for the night.. knowing that tomorrow morning will be a busy morning for us.. =p We were all dead beat from the travelling..

Alright.. I shall continue my future posts on this trip.. will post more of the kids photos then!

Just a little love - Part 1

Sawadika!

Hey, I'm back from Phayao! I hope everyone is doing well.. =)

As for me, the moment when I'm back, I'm already drowned with my never ending work! Haiz.. I now trying to catch a breather, so here I am updating my blog! Haha.. still in office though.. -_-''

My Phayao trip.. *thumbs up! I really enjoyed myself! I like the place, the sky, the people and the culture. This trip is really a unique experience from my other holiday trips. Instead of the usual half empty big luggage (prep space for my return shopping items), I carried a fully packed backpack, stuffs with polo tees and bags. All not mine, but for the kids. Together with all the well wishes from my friends, colleagues and family, the 4 of us head down to the quiet town, Phayao.

We had just a simple thing in mind, bring a little love over to the kids. So we called this project: ''Just a little love''. =)

A week stay in this centre makes me ponder and it reminds me on many things. I suddenly realised the hectic life I had in Singapore can somewhat make me feels numb and forgettful to things around us. Things that I may once treasure and understand better when I was young.. somehow, somewhat fades as we grew older.

The first night, I looked into the sky at Phayao.. And was suprised to be greeted by many bright stars above! Hey, that was a long time since I've looked into the sky! I remembered the stars were spectacularly beautiful that night. I smiled. To think that I've always lived under the stars, yet I'm totally oblivious to it... I just can't help but wonder, if taking things for granted had become my habit.

The kids there treasure every single things that they possesed. We were walking the kids to the school when one of the girls' school bag handle was broken, and all the books fell to the ground. Another girl, both her shoe buckles were already gone, and yet she's still wearing it to school. Most of their socks were old and loose. There's even a hole at the base.. Their matress, slippers, shoes, clothes were all old and oversized.

Did it make your sink a little? Well, I did at the moment. I had actually sympathised with them. However, after more time with the kids, I had realise all my thinking is only what I had impose on them. To the kids there, the material stuffs doesn't really bother them. The torn socks doesn't make the socks less a sock. The oversized uniforms still serves the purpose of keeping them warm. What they enjoy is going to school and get the opportunity to learn and play with friends outside the centre.

Isn't this what most of the singaporean kids would had took forever to realise and understand? To treasure the opportunity to learn. We are always over obessed with many other things, overlooking the most basic and simple things which may be just in front of us. Perhaps we are so used to be fed and not hunt..

I really still had many many to share. But I gotta get back to my work. That's it for this post!

I'll post some photos when I've got them from my cousin.

Till then, please stay tune for more sequences.. =)

upcoming trip

If you had read my older post on the volunteer trip, then you would know that I'd be travelling to Phayao soon.. Yeap.. It's finally here!=)

I'd be travelling to Phayao this coming Friday, 22.02.08. I'd only be back on the 02.03.08. Sunday noon. Basically I'd be uncontactable.. I need to switch off my phone during the day and would only check my SMSes during the night. So if there are any urgnt matters, most prob I'd only reply in the night time. I seriously dun wanna my phone be jam packed with all the suppliers and contractors!

I've yet to find time to pack my backpack.. =( It's considered my first time going overseas to a rural area... So I'm kind of lost of what to bring there! Mosquito coil, insect repellent and first aid kit should be something I shouldn't miss.. By the way, my mum and sis are very doubtful if this city dweller of me is gonna to survive there! Well, they might have their valid reasons for that.. Hehe..

Looking back at my last business trip to HK, I'd actually reached airport at 1/2 an hour, JUST before the flight took off.. Yeah.. Your eyes are not playing trick on you.. it's a freaking 30 mins! OMG.. I was so late that time! I'd actually overslept, as I was slogging the night before at my office. Luckily I still manage to catch the flight in the end. Of course.. with many apologies and pitiful stares to the front desk staffs. Haha..

This time is gonna be another morning flight that I hated! I'm so not gonna be late!

O yah, I need to thanks those who had donated money to the kids in Phayao. Thanks for your generosity =) The fund raised money would goes mainly to here:

1. bringing the 40 kids to visit the city in Chiang Mai (including chartered bus, and KFC as lunch) - It's the kids 1st time to KFC
2. translator - We were told the kids were not so good in english.
3. games props
4. soveniers
5. microwave (currently, they do not have one at their hostel)

Mainly the money would be spent on most of the expenses of the kids. The rest of the fund raised money would be passed to the hostel for some other usage. So if anybody who is still keen to help in my fund raising, please message me. I'd fork the money out 1st.. =)

I'd be blogging on this post again when I'm back! So see ya and take care people!!

virgin blood donation

12.01.08
Saturday, 3pm
Bloodbank @ HSA

Alright, following up with my 1st post. I mention that I wanna donate blood. And if you guys have forgotten or think that I most probably won't dare to do it (well, I was kind of doubtful at myself too).. I'm here to say that.. I've done it! =)

My past experiences with injection:

1. At 3-4 yrs old, I need 4 nurses to pin me down and a doctor to force in the jab.
2. At 12 yrs old, I teared when I did my 1st BCG skin test.
3. At 19, I chicken out at the blood donation drive in JJC.
4. At 20, I turned pale when the nurse draw my blood out to test for HEP B.
5. At22, i've did my virgin donation! =)

Well, I admit still turn pale at the sight of needles. But, heck who cares! When I know it's for a greater cause.




I've got my blood test. Look at my sticker! It says ''Be nice to me. This is my first donation.'' How cute is that?! This is actually to help 1st time donors like me to lighten the fear. The nurse inside will make sure they are more attentive to me. Well, of coz, they would want you to come again!

Hey.. I've manage to ask my friend to help to video down the whole procedure of my blood donation. Serious, I was so freaking scared. Hands and feet were ice cold. It really did come across my mind to chicken out when the nurse was preparing the needles.. I was laughing hard to calm myself dowm. Anyway, the video is quite hilarious! I look so damn funny. Well, enjoy..=p

*PS. It was taken using a camera phone. And my friend actually took it in a potriat format. ><'' Anw..pay attention to what the nurse was saying..

Ok la! I really dun dare to look at the needle when she was poking in! I scared that I would punch the nurse, out of reflex! =p Anyway, the anesthetic jab was only of a slight pain. The big scary needle was really of no pain at all.. I swear! So if you guys are worried of the big scary needle, dun worry.. it's really gentle.. =) I dun even feel a thing when it was done!


Me having my blood donation. It's really not that scary after all!


YEAH! I'm really happy that I manage to it this time! It's really feel so good.. I really will regret if I didn't make my donation today. And of course, I'd urge all my friends to be a regular blood donor. The nurse told me that bag of blood can save up to 3 persons' life (dunno how true was that!). Anyway, it's really is a simple thing that all healthy people can contribute. (of course, please be a resposible blood donor. Make sure you are healthy and well when u donate blood) You will then understand what I mean when I say: ''I receive more than I gave.''

I was greatly inspired by my friends who are regular blood donors. Having the ability to give, always make people feel good . I hope this post of mine can inspire more people out there to take up the challenge. I'm gonna be a regular blood donor!

Donating blood can save lifes. So why not?

Just a little love

I haven't been blogging for sometime! Gosh.. I was so busy with work for the whole of this week. I should have came back during last weekends to clear abit of my work! Ended up in late nights all the way..><'' While blogging now, I'm actually yawning away..

Well, I should stop my work grumble here. I'm here to share something nice to whoever who is reading my blog. =)

Some might have heard of my volunteer trip to Phayao this coming 22 Feb to 2 March.. and yeap! I'm so looking forward to this trip! We named it: ''Just a litle love''. Sound sweet ar?? =p

I'll be going with my cousin and 2 of her friends on a self sponsored trip. The kids that we are visiting and staying with .. are age ranging from 4 - 18 yr olds. They are kids who were abondoned by their parents, orphans or even parents trading them off for sex business. This hostel provides them protection, lodging, food and education. Most importantly, this hostel provides a HOME to these less fortunate kids.

I'm glad that I'm offered this rare opportunity to go there. You might not have know that it has always been my wish to travel to a suburbs, to volunteer my services.. esp to kids! Well, I simply adore kids.. Hehe.. SO this is really like my dream come true!

As we are only going in a grp of 4.. there are of course lots of limitations. In terms of logistics, funds and even transportations. All these have to be carefully planned and discussed. Well, one of the biggest problems is that we have insufficient funds.

Yeah.. so.. I'll be asking for donations very soon. LOL. Most probably the next time u see me, I'll be asking for it. The money will goes to buy gifts, foods, handicraft items, photos and other expenses like bringing the kid to the city for a walk and eat KFC. All these activities will sum up a huge sum for 48 kids. So I really hope that all my friends would help me in this fund raising.. Of couse, I'll get more backgrd info of the kids first.. And will post it here soon..=)

I think I'm gonna gain alot from this trip.. maybe more from the kids than what I can offer to them. This trip also serves as a ''hide-out'' for me.. away from my hectic work. Maybe it's time for me to ponder what is more important for me in my life..