Student comments 2019#

Although students had found it tough adapting to the living conditions and the language barrier made it difficult for some to communicate with the local children, the experience of meeting new people and making new friends made the trip a great success. Here are some comments by students at the end of the trip.

Being in Baiwan also exposed me to a different way of life than what I am used to, whether it be at home in Hong Kong or in the other metropolitan areas that I spend my time in. Seeing a place so quiet and vacant of adults made me think about how my own life could have been had I grown up here. Most importantly, however, interacting with the children in Baiwan places a human face on all of the progress that the Baiwan charity has been making, through funds raised party by Nansen House activities. If my presence has made a significant impact on the lives of the children I have met, I have the imperative to return home with a renewed sense of gratitude, and to help (financially or otherwise) give them the opportunities necessary to live as best a life as possible.

Watching them smile and chat with one another and proudly exhibit their works to friends put a smile on my face. It was invaluable to have little kids come to you and ask for drawings and something you can only truly feel here. On the last day, my friend gave me a paper plate that a child from our class yesterday made for me. She/He remembered my name and decided to make something for me. I really realised the strong community in Baiwan and the relationships and memories that can be formed in a seemingly short, mere 40/45 minutes.

The kids in Baiwan were so eager to learn, and were so thankful for having the opportunity to go to school. That is something we really don’t realize when we go to school, that it is a privilege. We can learn so much from people who are less privileged than we are, because they evidently are better able to see what is important in life.

This friend that I made last year played a large role when I was deciding my quest week trip of 2019, I really wanted to go back to Baiwan to see her and to see all the smiling faces of our students when they enjoy our lesson. I was able to realise that there is so much that we take for granted in our lives and the things that students experience in the lessons could be a lifelong memory for them and that a little kindness goes a long way.