I had to get up really early this morning as I was observing the vietnamese teacher at the Baby Orphanage. She teaches a variety of subjects to the children of school age. We discussed what resources she could use in the classroom and arranged to meet up next Tuesday afternoon to go shopping for some things.
I have given over some of the fundraised money to pay for fruit at the Baby Orphanage and some other placements. Will let you know in detail next time. A chunk of the money will be going towards paying for the shelter to cover the play area outside.
At the Home of Affection we are looking to buy a computer which will be great for english skills, typing skills and generally knowing how to use a computer.
I am going shopping with Mrs Hanh on Friday afternoon to buy some material that can get made into dressing up clothes. Today the children at the Baby Orphanage were copying the teacher and taking on her role. Will get the teacher's uniform made up for dressing up. I think I will get a doctor's coat made too. There are some hospital toys at the local supermarket - stethoscope, thermometer etc. I would also like to get some fairy/princess dresses and pirates constumes as well.
The children in the photos are all from the Baby Orphanage. When we arrive here the children are given fruit bought by volunteers. The girl with the bag - my bag, was very keen to wear it just like I do. They are all loving the talking postcards that I brought with me. I used these today at one of my new placements. I swapped my class of 15-18 year olds and now I am teaching Wednesday and Thursday afternoons in Tam Thanh - a fishing village. I love it. There are seven girls in my class aged between 9 and 13. They are extremely enthusiastic and very keen to learn. They also loved my talking postcards. Think I will take them with me tomorrow as well.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Monday, 5 July 2010
First Morning at the Baby Orphanage
I had a great morning at the Baby Orphanage. I had a good look around and I think I'm going to try and organise some of their play area. Areas in each corner of the room will hopefully be a book corner, drawing/writing area, large physical play, dressing up and construction/games. I am going to buy two big soft mats for the babies to crawl on and the other children to do roly poly, handstands, roll etc.
I have given the go ahead for some of the fundraised money to go towards the shelter for the climbing frame/slide - $1100. This will pay for the majority of shelter. Total cost $1500.
The food here is fabulous. Our cook is called Mrs Hahn and her favourite phrase is "eat more, eat more". She organised our trip to Hoi An at the weekend.
Mrs Hahn is also going to help me shop for material for dressing up clothes. We are going to hit the local market at some point and then Mrs Hahn knows someone who will make the clothes.
I am ashamed to say that I have badly burnt my feet - to the point that they are swollen. Was going to take a photo and show you, but I think it would spoil your tea!!
Will maybe have some more photos up tomorrow.
China Beach in Hoi An
Two of the volunteers who are at Tam Ky placement - Cheryl and Freda from Vancouver,Canada.
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Getting in contact
I'm really enjoying reading everyone's comments. I think some people are finding it difficult to get a message sent to my blog. If people would prefer to email me instead that would be fine too - mhairi.mcalpine@yahoo.com
Trampoline jump picture in Falkirk Herald - school nursery
There is a fabulous picture in the Falkirk Herald which came out on Thursday just there. My mum showed it to me on Skype. The picture was taken at St Margaret's Nursery Class. The article says that we made £200, which we had made when the journalist phoned me. However we did raise well over £400 in the school nursery!
Most people in Vietnam get around on either bicycles or motorbikes. There are cars, but these are still relatively expensive as they were only introduced a short while ago. People load their bikes with various things - as much as they can. The pictures of the boats are taken in Hoi An.
Today I went to collect my dress and my jacket. They needed some small alterations, but apart from that I was really pleased with them. After my measurements were taken yesterday my order was given to someone local who makes the clothes and then when finished got sent back to the shop on the back of a motorbike. I have to pick them up later. I had no intention of buying anything else, but then five minutes later stumbled into another dressmakers shop. This time I am getting a skirt made. Need to stay clear of these places or I will need to get a second suitcase!!
We visited the Baby Orphanage yesterday and I didn't get a chance to take many pictures but I did take one of a child (the child who was looking for sweets) and Leigh who is also a volunteer and arrived at the same time as myself.
I took some photos of the farmers in their rice fields on our way to Hoi An. Then I saw the most beautiful lotus flowers.
Friday, 2 July 2010
Hi everyone
Arrived in Tam Ky last night. This was later than expected because The Global Volunteer Network was celebrating six years of work in Vietnam. There was meant to be a beach party but the minute we arrived it started to rain really heavily. We all ended up indoor for the celebrations instead.
This morning we all got our weekly schedule of work - so here is mine.
Every morning from 8.30am - 10.30am I will be at the Baby Orphanage. There may be a couple of mornings that I get to go to the Disabled Hospital too.
Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon I will be teaching at Home of Affection. I will be with a group of teenagers aged from 15 to 18 years old. Hopefully I will be able to teach them, we will see how that goes.
On Tuesday and Thursday nights I will be teaching a group of 10 - 12 year olds english also.
I have put myself forward for organising dressing up/roleplay day at Home of Affection on a Thursday. Will see what they have got and then we will see if I can either buy some dressing up clothes or maybe get them made locally. There is a lot of tailor making that goes on.
This morning we also visited some of our placements. First of all we visited Home of Affection, then we went on to the Disabled Hospital and finally we visited the Baby Orphanage. When we got here all the kids were very excited to see us. At one point I had a toddler on each hip. I lost my sunglasses for a short period of time as they got passed round and I had my bag inspected by a child. I think he was looking for sweets. He seemed pleased enough with the hand wash that I squirted on his hand.
This afternoon we travelled to Hoi An which is about an hours journey from Tam Ky.
I have been measured up for a jacket (green) and a dress at one of the many dressmakers here. This was at four o'clock and these will be ready by 10am tomorrow.
We are staying here for the weekend and then will travel back on Sunday night.
Monday will be my first day, will let you know how I get on. Pictures soon
Arrived in Tam Ky last night. This was later than expected because The Global Volunteer Network was celebrating six years of work in Vietnam. There was meant to be a beach party but the minute we arrived it started to rain really heavily. We all ended up indoor for the celebrations instead.
This morning we all got our weekly schedule of work - so here is mine.
Every morning from 8.30am - 10.30am I will be at the Baby Orphanage. There may be a couple of mornings that I get to go to the Disabled Hospital too.
Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon I will be teaching at Home of Affection. I will be with a group of teenagers aged from 15 to 18 years old. Hopefully I will be able to teach them, we will see how that goes.
On Tuesday and Thursday nights I will be teaching a group of 10 - 12 year olds english also.
I have put myself forward for organising dressing up/roleplay day at Home of Affection on a Thursday. Will see what they have got and then we will see if I can either buy some dressing up clothes or maybe get them made locally. There is a lot of tailor making that goes on.
This morning we also visited some of our placements. First of all we visited Home of Affection, then we went on to the Disabled Hospital and finally we visited the Baby Orphanage. When we got here all the kids were very excited to see us. At one point I had a toddler on each hip. I lost my sunglasses for a short period of time as they got passed round and I had my bag inspected by a child. I think he was looking for sweets. He seemed pleased enough with the hand wash that I squirted on his hand.
This afternoon we travelled to Hoi An which is about an hours journey from Tam Ky.
I have been measured up for a jacket (green) and a dress at one of the many dressmakers here. This was at four o'clock and these will be ready by 10am tomorrow.
We are staying here for the weekend and then will travel back on Sunday night.
Monday will be my first day, will let you know how I get on. Pictures soon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)