ALiFe

Okay, sorrie about the last post. I just wanted to know anyone's reading (as opposed to viewing the images).

A smile from Saigon as she greets me. ;oD

When I arrived at Ho Chi Minh International Airport, I was greeted warmly by Sr. Nga who actually came by from Hue to ensure that I knew my way around Saigon. This name, Saigon, is interestingly being used by the locals more and more.

After lunch, I was tasked document the work done at Nha Tinh Thuong Xuan Phuong or Xuan Phuong House of Love home. ( I must state that I will not be using any of the accent marks just because it'll take forever to locate them on the keyboard. :oD ) Many of the parents who send their kids here can't afford to pay anything.


Lower grade school kids doing craft work.


A French volunteer teaching higher grade students English.


One of the sisters at the nursery on the 2nd floor.

The sisters here in the Betania community in Ho Chi Minh have expressed their gratefulness for my presence, but I am still convinced that it is a bigger blessing for me to be here.

The first Vietnamese word I learned here is my surname, Tan. The sisters use it because Tan is an actual word in their language which means "modern".

For those who have enquired, I briefly mentioned that I will be instructing English to non-English speaking students in central Vietnam in a region called Hue*. But just dwelling on it, I get the feeling that this place will have so much more to offer me than what I have to give – the lesson on contentment in life being the main one.

I have given myself, in the last few weeks, time to think about the trip and that is why I am back here in Singapore, geared up and ready to go.

I may not be the best candidate or the most qualified for the task, but with a manual in one hand and wacky ideas in the other, it might transpire creative learning. I hope that these 80-odd sisters at the convent know the meaning of corny, otherwise they might have to learn it the painful way... ;p

Like they always say, "Where there's a will, there's a Hue."

If you have ideas on teaching the English language, do join me on my journey by sending your ideas and concepts! For now, you can keep me in your prayers!

Dear Father, thank you for Your grace and the opportunity to learn!


Hue* - pronounced as "huey".