One of the most basic adversity that faced us was ourselves.

Intellectual
In Vietnam, we were exposed to the main population of Vietnamese people and the other minority people groups. We had even managed a glimpse into the everyday life of the minorities through home stays. I learnt much about the variety of minority groups existing in the mountainous regions of Vietnam and how they lived in relative seclusion from the main towns.I had the opportunity to see up close what it was like living with one of the minority people, i.e. Dao people. I got a glance into what it was like to live without electricity and water from a tap, all of which had been much taken for granted. In our visit to these places we also got to observe how places had been subjected to the influence of tourism. One example was how Xeo Trung Ho (a mountain village) was less developed then Ban Ho( a village in the valley) as it was more geographically accessible, hence receiving a greater amount of tourist. The villagers of Ban Ho even had televisions while those in Xeo Trung Ho had electricity to the extent of a light bulb. Another observation we had made was how the tradition of the minority people were being lost in light of donations from outside. An example was how the children from the various minority groups in the schools had taken to wearing contemporary clothing that were donated, hence they cease to wear their traditional clothes which form a part of their identity.

Another thing learnt would be the planning of the Residential Project, and the biking and trekking along the Tonkinese Alps. While doing the Residential Project, we learnt to take note of the intricate details as well as to be practically flexible with the implementation of it. The planning for the trek along the Tonkinese Alps had also sought to teach us how to plan decisively and adhere to our plans, making them as practical as possible.

Deliverables
On our trek, we had managed to help the villagers on the way along our trek. This had varying effects depending on what we gave. At times we had only given biscuits which had a minimal impact, the effect spanning a nominal time only. At other times where books were given, we had been able to facilitate learning for as long as the books remained in the library for an indefinite time. Another example would be us delivering medicine to these villages. Though this might not have as lasting an impact as books, items like these had the potential to leave a deeper impact.

Another aspect on which we had the privilege of delivering on was the Residential Project( at Cat Cat primary primary school) where we were able to do painting and arranging and donation of books. There, we were able to provide as ideal a environment to aid their learning as well as to create and enlarge their collection of books which they were able to sustain on their own(the latter even if not the former).

Emotional
One of the aspects of emotional development that occurred during the trip was how we were each able to enlarge our sympathies for others. During this trip, we had seen people and circumstance of the less fortunate which had really compelled us to reflect and broaden our capacity for sympathy for others while diminishing the idea of self-focus all the time. An example was of how we had seen the disparate lifestyles and study environment during the period of our Residential at the Cat Cat primary school. There we saw a boy of age 10 who was unable to walk-most likely due to malnutrition- who lingered around the school on all fours. One other example was when we saw how excited they were at the sight of food, no matter the quantity or quality. They reached out with both hands outstretched while we gave them out. During the trek when we had the opportunity to take a glimpse into the lives of the minority people, we saw how contented they were without the indulgences in modern amenities (like the television or mp3 players).

During this trip in our casual discussions, I had found that each one of us could find parallels in our lives in which we had all reflected upon and learnt a lesson in many things, especially in gratitude and contentment in simplicity. However, we learnt that while they lived in less modernity and hence without our comforts, they did not suffer from the problems arising out of a modern life too, though they suffered from their own set of problems. Hence, while we came to provide them with more comforts in their lives, we were really in no position to pity them in haughtiness for each suffers and enjoys their own set of problems and luxuries.

Upon returning, we realized that it was always important to seek out the sources of the good we enjoy in all present states of things. Hence, I would just like to thank everyone who had supported the trip, and Mr. Khoo who volunteered his time to make this trip POSSIBLE.

Adversities
One of the most basic adversity that faced us was ourselves. That had sometimes been the biggest and yet the smallest of our problems. Examples of it being complacency and lethargy at times. When we lacked the grit, they became our biggest blockade. Yet we were fortunate that there were always a few who would rally us in unity to overcome these obstacles. An example would be the trek whereby we pushed ourselves to the physical and mental limit, training each other up in perseverance.

Another problem was unfamiliarity that found itself in many aspects of the trip, ranging from the geographical to the linguistics which made interaction quite an impassable hassle at times. The geography of this foreign land had forced us to depend heavily on our guide, in whose absence we found ourselves struggling as we tried to maneuver from place to place.

Another adversity which faced us was the cultural differences. Examples were where certain gestures like touching another person’s head was forbidden among the minority peoples and where taking photos were at times not entirely welcome due to their superstition. Details like these which occur due to cultural differences caused us to make many considerations and inquiries as we interacted with them.

Working in a foreign land for our Residential Project entailed at times having to face locals who treated us differently, for better at times and for worse at others. An example was of how some of the people out of hospitality treated us better and with much warmth as we were, according to them “guests” of their country. Yet inevitably there were others who tried to take advantage of us, an example being when we were buying things and they had decided to overcharge us.

Learnability
When we first came to Vietnam, I had first imagined it to be us giving them things to better their lives with a tinge of pity from a sense of superiority from the standpoint of someone in a country which boasted of better modern comforts. Yet I discovered that though they did not have as much indulgences as us, they too did not have as many problems. I came to the realization that as much as we had to boast, we had just as much to be envious about and that we really could not find much to pity them in any superiority we possessed. What had really prevented me from learning at times was my mindset which made me unconscious to the fact that though we were coming to help, we too could be helped at the same time.

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