World Vision Malaysia : Our Official Blog

《出走越南，第二天》

3 May 2012 at 11:08 am

文／卢筱红
2012年4月11日

今天，我们将前往距离梅州县35公里、贫穷率最高的社区探访。Vung告诉我们，社区里有83%的人口生活在国际贫穷线下。我们会在这个社区看见什么？经历什么？打起精神！马上，我就要接触一种截然不同的生活了。加油。我告诉自己。

巴士沿着蜿蜒的山路匍匐前进，原本预定一个小时的车程，却因为路况不甚理想而延迟了大约45分钟。

摇摇晃晃，我们终于到了

不知道过了多久，巴士终于停了下来。我们来到了第一位个案的家。一下车，不禁倒抽了一口凉气。我们得沿着陡峭的小径，才能抵达孩子的家。向来畏高又鸡手鸡脚的我，隐约意识到，挑战终于开始了。

由上往下看，看不到孩子的家

呐，就是那里了！沿途没有东西好抓，怕怕！

有一度，我真想直接坐下来往下溜，应该会更快！

跟着大队往孩子的家走去。热辣辣的太阳，火一般地刺痛肌肤。这样的小径，对于这里的居民真的不算什么。可对于我来说，有点难度。终于，踉踉跄跄地来到孩子家门前。孩子名叫Toan，这会儿还在学校上课。

进入他们家，看到的，是一张充满笑意的脸，和一个可爱的孩童。她是Toan的妈妈，和15个月大的弟弟Tinh。我们一行十多人，就挤在他们的小窝里，开始了采访。

他们家一年玉米的收成，就在这一袋里。。。

透过Vung的翻译，我们得知Toan的父母皆以务农为生。他们主要种植木薯、玉米和竹子。竹子每年为他们带来VND1千万的收入，而木薯则可以赚取VND7百万（RM1 ≈VND6000）。至于玉米，由于产量不多，所以作为自家的粮食。如果你和我一样，看到很多的零就头晕，Toan的家庭一年的收入大约是RM2800。

我开始疑惑，每个月不到RM250，如何养活一家五口？据了解，他们每个月需要大约RM100来买米和鱼。同时，他们也养了一些鸭子来吃。由于收入有限，Toan的爸爸希望可以购买有引擎的渔船和一些捕鱼器材，以便可以出海捕鱼增加收入。这大概需要他们一整年的收入，还要不吃不用，才有能力购买。

为了增加收入，他们夫妇俩有时也打一些散工。Toan的爸爸还帮养猪场养猪。当母猪生产时，他和养猪场各拥有一半的小猪，这是他们之间的协议。这听起来挺好，应该是不错的收入来源。然而，老天爷总爱开玩笑。上一次他们家所得到的小猪，却因为一场瘟疫，死了。投入的心血，白费了。额外的收入，没了。

穷人悲歌，唱不完

Toan的弟弟，15个月大，还不会走路。或者确切地说，他无法走路。弟弟的右小腿最近才因为肌肉发炎做了手术。现在，肌肉是不痛了。不过手术后，由于骨头没长好，所以影响了他的行走能力。为了弟弟的病，他们已经向亲朋戚友借了VDN2千万（≈RM3300），那比他们一年的收入还多耶！要继续治疗弟弟的脚，他们还需要一笔不菲的医药费。我们在聊着弟弟的病时，可爱的他窝在妈妈的怀抱里，笑得很灿烂。无邪的笑容，把我的心揪住了。

Toan的弟弟，Tinh

蜿蜒的山路，让人吃尽苦头

接着，我们到他们家的农地去看看。天气很热，把人也热得混沌了。过了10分钟吧？还是更久一些？巴士在路边停了下来。跳下车，看到他们夫妇俩已经走上山。我往上一看，额头流下的汗，霎时变冷。刚刚去他们家的那条小径，已经耗费了我一半的体力，现在… ….不管了，上了再说！

跟着大伙儿的脚步，吃力地走上蜿蜒的羊肠小径。只要稍一不慎，立刻会滚下山吧！都怪自己平常太懒，不做运动，这下子，可真把我整年的运动配额一次过用光了。汗，湿了我的衣服。咬紧牙根，撑下去。我告诉自己。

我第一次深切地了解，“飞檐走壁”这句成语的意境

好不容易爬过了这个羊肠小径，前面迎来的，是一大片山。天啊，路在哪儿？这要怎么上去啊？这会儿，Toan的父母亲早已不见了踪影。在我还想做最后的努力，赶上其他人的脚步时，双脚竟然陷入泥土里。吃力地想把脚拉出来，却越陷越深。直到这个时候，我彻底地认输了！

去不到他们家的耕地，让我有很深的挫败感。也是这一份挫败感，让我更深地体会到，他们的生活真的不容易。上不到山，我可以选择放弃，他们却没有选择的余地。这个家庭，这一座山，为我的人生上了宝贵的一堂课。

虽然我是没去到他们家的耕地，不过，我还是有做功课滴。他们家这片农耕地是政府在去年拨给他们的，目前还在清理的阶段，打算清理过后，在这种玉米。他们最后一次的木薯收成是在去年11月。目前，他们种了大概400棵竹子，暂时以此为生。

这种菜色，我们已经吃了三个星期

参观了他们家的耕地，是时候Toan要放学回家了。我们在半路与Toan会合后，与他一起走路回家。Toan每天都会空腹步行2公里的路程到学校上课。这会儿，他走得非常快，也许是想赶快回家吃饭吧！路途中，问他午饭想吃什么？他想了想，说今天只想吃白饭。

与Toan在回家的路上

再次回到他们家，Toan的奶奶正在厨房做饭。一锅水，几根木炭，奶奶就烧起饭来了。妈妈则到菜园里採了一些菜来下饭。这个菜色，他们已经吃了三个星期，因为没有钱买肉类。这下子，我总算明白了为什么Toan说他只想吃饭。

他就是Toan，很帅吧？

他们家的午餐，仅此而已

直到这儿，我们的探访也告一段落。告别了Toan一家人，下午，我们要往另一个家庭探访去了。Toan，再见了！要努力读书！Tinh，希望你早日康复，快快走路！祝福你们！

写在探访之后

午餐时，我的脑海一直萦绕着Toan一家的菜色。这个时候，我真的很感恩自己生活在一个幸福的国度里。Tinh的笑脸也一直在我脑海里，挥之不去。每每想起他的脚疾，心里就是一阵痛。看得出，妈妈在述说弟弟的病情时，眼角的一丝泪光。她很努力地对我们笑，却掩饰不住她对弟弟的担忧。

远在马来西亚的我们，究竟可以为他们做些什么？朋友们，诚邀您一起加入2012年的饥饿30，与我们携手抵抗贫穷，赶走饿势力！无论您是营长、营员、志工，还是善心人士，只要有您的加入，《你我童行，饥饿不再》！

出走越南，第一天 （第一篇）

1 May 2012 at 5:04 pm

文／卢筱虹
2012年4月10日

终于盼到了这一天，我将随同马来西亚世界宣明会媒体探访团，到越南河内去了解世界宣明会的社区发展和儿童助养计划。有幸获选为2012年的青年特务，让我可以用眼睛去看，以感官去体验，扶贫，究竟是怎么一回事，再透过文字，把所见所闻，真实地记录下来。

左至右：Kimberly, Aryton, Shu Yi, Brandon, Al, Kenneth, 镁鑫, Jym, Yee May 和德兰

搭乘古晋飞往吉隆坡最早的一班机，于上午8时在KLIA和其他人会合后，就准备往越南飞去咯！临行前，大伙儿在候机室来张合照，为这次的旅程掀开序幕。随团的除了世界宣明会的同工Yee May和Shu Yi，还包括了My FM DJ Jym、八度空间摄影师Kenneth和主持人镁鑫、Mix FM DJ Aryton、星洲日报记者德兰、部落客Kimberly和Al、青年特务伟胜和我。

→河内NoiBai国际机场

经过了3个小时的飞行，我们一行11人于越南时间上午11时50分抵达河内NoiBai国际机场，并受到了当地海外媒体中心特派官员，Nhat和Linh的欢迎。大伙儿领取行李后，就和越南世界宣明会同工Nga会合，并坐上他们安排的小型巴士，往这次媒体探访团的目的地–梅州县开去。

梅州县位于越南西南部的和平省，距离河内130公里，是个群山围绕、景色怡人的地方。经过了大约5个小时的车程，我们才抵达了这个地处和平省西北部的“世外桃源”。

→陪着我们上山下海的小型巴士

→梅州县社区发展计划办公室

→Nhat（站者），Linh和Nga（坐者）

开往梅州县的路况其实还不错，只是在后半段路程有些蜿蜒，也偶有颠簸。我们在下午5时30分抵达下榻酒店，并和梅州县社区发展计划的总负责人，Vung会面。稍作休息后，大伙儿于晚间6时30分和越南世界宣明会同工们共进晚餐和交流。饭后，我们步行了大约1公里，来到了梅州县社区发展计划办公室，聆听第二天的行程与资料。

了解社区居民所面对的困境

Vung的介绍，梅州县共有23个社区，马来西亚世界宣明会目前支援县内的5个社区。梅州县社区发展计划始于2011年10月，目前还处于评估与策划阶段。因此，现阶段同工们都会在社区里走透透，以彻底了解社区居民所面对的困境和最迫切需要解决的问题。Vung告诉我们，人口5.2万的梅州县贫穷率为32%，意即是大约1.66万人每天仅靠马币3.80过活。

透过同工们频繁的探访以及和当地居民的密切交流，发现居民所面对的最大问题莫过于缺乏干净的食水。其次，由于梅州县山峦起伏，因此耕地不足。社区的卫生条件也是另一项极为棘手的问题。因为缺少基本的卫生设施，人们普遍上就地解决，因此造成许多环境污染问题。

→梅州县社区发展计划总负责人Vung

不过，这里的孩子还算幸运，因为可以接受正规的教育。然而，学校的硬体设备并不完善，诸如灯光昏暗、桌子太高等等问题，让这儿的莘莘学子无法在一个理想的环境下求取知识。此外，由于许多社区都处于边界，所以也间接成了瘾君子的天堂。

了解了梅州县的一些基本资料，大伙儿便步行回酒店休息，以养精蓄锐，准备迎接明天的挑战！长途跋涉了10几个小时，是时候休息了，明天见！

→与梅州县的同工们合影 (Tuan, Vung, Chuc, Huen, Nga)

第一天后的感受

贫穷，总是和罪恶挂上钩；贫穷，总是和饥饿脱不了关系；贫穷，往往是一切问题的根源。要杜绝贫穷，赶走饿势力，就必须为这些社区作出改变！希望大家积极响应马来西亚世界宣明会2012年的饥饿30。无论你是营长、营员抑或是志工，只要有你们的参与 - 《你我童行，饥饿不再》！

A Small Gesture from the Heart

27 April 2012 at 4:42 pm

A Big Difference to a Child’s Future (Part 5)

World Vision Sponsors’ Visit to YongSheng ADP, China (25 Mar - 1 Apr 2012)

by Jesper Chang

Postscript:

World Vision Malaysia was kind enough to arrange some post activities after our Sponsors’ Visit to make our trip a more worthwhile and enjoyable. I guess we all needed some time to recuperate after our energetic 3 day visit to the ADP.

Among some of the highlights were visits to the snow peach plantation, bio-gas powered homes and solar-powered heater homes (all of which are also part of the many projects undertaken by World Vision YongSheng).

Another place that we visited was the YongSheng wet market (which has a wide variety of food, and for once we did not hesitate and took out our wallets and purses to buy whatever that tickled our taste buds).

On our final day, we even managed to squeeze in some last minute shopping at the Kunming Walmart before departing back to Malaysia.

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this trip. We had a great team of child sponsors, fabulous World Vision staff, the adventure was awesome, the food was commendable – but most importantly, the bond that we created together will forever be cherished in our minds.

Words are just not enough to describe the many feelings and experiences which I’ve gone through throughout these 8 exciting days. It really was an adventure of a lifetime for me.

Couldn’t resist taking a group shot with our ever-friendly World Vision drivers who drove us through the rough terrain throughout the entire trip

Nonetheless, one thing that I really want to do is to express my sincere thanks to the many people whom I had the chance to get to know and fostered good friendships with throughout this trip.

To James (ADP Manager World Vision China, YongSheng Office):
Thank you for doing a remarkable job helping & developing the YongSheng County. You and your team have done so much – the progress & results speak for themselves. And thank you for your warm hospitality which you’ve extended to us throughout our stay in YongSheng.

To Pei Ling & Angeline (World Vision Malaysia):
Much, much thanks for putting in all the blood, sweat & time in organizing this wonderful trip. Your efforts have paid off really well and you’ve succeeded in every corner with flying colours. Thank you for taking care of everyone – whether it’s during moments of joy, sorrow or stress. We salute you both!

To my fellow child sponsors:

-    Annie, Ming Wah & Peggy
Thank you for being such good sports. You girls were always there to cheer us up and crack jokes whenever we encountered tricky situations or when some of us were feeling down and stressed.

-    Mr. Tan & Elaine
I didn’t have much chance to interact with the both of you but I do look forward to seeing your photographs. I’m sure you are a professional photographer and I can’t wait to view your beautiful pictures.

-    Mr. Teng
Thank you for helping us out during our classroom teaching session at the Secondary School. You were fantastic. A really good role model for the kids. And a fabulous teacher, so to speak. Not to mention a very good fatherly figure to your sponsored child too. We have much to learn from you.

-    Choy Wan
A big thank you for being our (my dad & I) wonderful travelling companion for most of the trip – especially during the sponsors’ visit. You were an excellent conversationalist and I truly enjoyed our conversations. Much thanks too for being the interpreter during the long road trips whenever we conversed with the driver.

-   Karen, Eloise & Catherine
A million thanks to all 3 of you lovely ladies for being my “official” translators during the meet-up session with my sponsored child. I can’t thank you enough for the help which you’ve rendered upon me for that day. Without you ladies, I would have never made it through that very day and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all very much.

-    And to my Dad
Thank you for coming with me on this trip. I hope whatever you saw & experienced during this journey will give you a better understanding of what a great organization like World Vision is doing. And I hope that you too, will help spread out the word in asking more friends to join in & be part of this wonderful organization in its quest to bring hope to those in need.

Lastly, before I sign off, I’d just like to say once again – this trip has totally changed me. My character, thinking and vision towards life has been greatly affected by what I saw and experienced. Whilst we are only humans and we can only do so much for those in need, but I always maintain to the saying: “50% of Something is BETTER than 50% of Nothing”.

We can’t help everyone, but we sure can do our best to make the world a better place to live in for the children of tomorrow.

Cheers to all!

A Small Gesture from the Heart

26 April 2012 at 4:41 pm

A Big Difference to a Child’s Future (Part 4)

World Vision Sponsors’ Visit to YongSheng ADP, China (25 Mar - 1 Apr 2012)

by Jesper Chang

Day 3 ADP visit:

The final plan for our sponsors’ visit today would take us to Yongping Village, where we’ll visit the Secondary School.

I was told that this school is a brand new project that World Vision YongSheng has taken under its wings just slightly over a year ago. The school was previously in a bad state, and since it got help from World Vision, it has changed immensely. The grounds and the premise have been rebuilt and everything looks neater, cleaner and more organised.

When we entered the school’s main entrance, we were given an overwhelming welcome from the kids with hands clapping and cheering. I felt on the top of the world! I guess this is their way of thanking us for what we have done for them.

A grand welcome for our entourage by the children of the Secondary School

Today’s visit would be longer as it’s the last day of our sponsors’ visit, thus Pei Ling said we would spend as much time as possible with the kids.

The tour started off with the usual introductions and speeches. The highlight of the event was when our group was split into smaller groups of 3-4 and we were asked to go into some classrooms to mingle and to  “teach lessons” to the kids. As I’m illiterate in Mandarin, I was fortunate enough – AGAIN – to receive great help from my fellow team members who were always ready to take the helm in conducting the lessons.

“Lesson” in progress as the child sponsors become “temporary teachers”

Although the students in my class were rather shy at first, but they soon warmed up to us and went with the flow. After all, it was only a “casual class lesson” – nothing serious whatsoever. The initial soft & shy chatter soon turn to laughter, and it proceeded even further until it became like somewhat a “brainstorming” session as everyone wanted to give their input to the questions thrown at them

Group shot of our class after the lesson ended

Our session at the school ended close to 1pm. After lunch, we made our way back down the hilly mountains of Yongsheng again.

As I was leaving the premise, I looked back at the school one more time and said to myself, “Not bad, not bad at all. What a great transformation”.

For a school that was on the verge of “sinking”, World Vision YongSheng has done a remarkable job in turning it around and bringing it back up to the surface. It has saved the school from submerging and rescued the children from “drowning”. And because of this, the children now have a brighter and more solid future to look forward to.

A Small Gesture from the Heart

25 April 2012 at 4:40 pm

A Big Difference to a Child’s Future (Part 3)

World Vision Sponsors’ Visit to YongSheng ADP, China (25 Mar - 1 Apr 2012)

by Jesper Chang

Day 2 ADP visit:

This would be the happiest and most memorable day of my entire trip to YongSheng.

Why?

Because this was the day I was going to meet my sponsored child. After sponsoring her for 5-years (beginning in 2008), I was finally going to meet her for the very FIRST time.

We began our trip into Shui Jing village that morning. Thereafter, we entered a community hall where we waited for our sponsored children to arrive.

When I first saw her walking in with her mom, I knew that was her. My heart skipped a beat, I was lost for words and I didn’t even know how to react. She was so different from her photo – different in a sense that she looked very mature and seemed to have grown exceptionally taller. But she was still who she was – my dear sponsored child. I immediately shook hands with her, and took pictures with her and her family.

Couldn’t wait & just had to take a shot with my sponsored child, Yu Xiang upon meeting her for the very first time at the Community Centre

We exchanged greetings before World Vision staff organised a lunch for us and the families. What a great plan! Thank you, World Vision for organizing it this way.

Lunch time with Yu Xiang, her parents, child sponsors and World Vision staff

A family portrait with Yu Xiang and her family

As I am illiterate in Mandarin, I was very lucky to have 3 sponsors who were very willing to lend a hand in becoming my “official translators”. I felt like a V.V.I.P that day

After lunch, we proceeded to her school in the township of Guanghua where again, we met up with the rest of the other kids and interacted with them through games and sharing.

But the time that I was really looking forward to, was the one-to-one meet-up session for every sponsor and his / her sponsored child. And when my time came, I was all too eager to proceed with it. We were ushered into an empty classroom, where the World Vision YongSheng staffs were at hand to act as translators too (due to the different accents of Mandarin). Together with my 3 “official translators”, we all sat down and I began to present her the gifts I bought for her. Her eyes beamed with joy when she opened the presents one by one. We explained to her what some of the gifts are and showed her how to play with some of the games, and she even wrote a Thank You note for me there and then itself.

The one-to-one meet up session. Thank you Karen, Eloise & Catherine for being my interpreters!

Karen, Eloise & Catherine being as helpful and patient as ever in helping with the translation throughout the session

Alas, like all happy journeys, all good things must come to an end. And the time to say goodbye and bid farewell came soon after. I took this opportunity to take a few more shots with her and used the last few minutes to give her a warm inspirational chat. At the last few seconds I shook hands with her and gave her a warm hug before she made her way back to her class. I promised her that I would come back to see her again when World Vision organize another trip to YongSheng in the future. Even as she walked back to her class, she turned and looked back at me a few times.

I’ve always been a strong person, but on that day, I felt really emotional and tears did flow a little. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay and talk to her more, I wanted to guide her through her studies, teach her new things, play games with her – but I know it’s just not possible. The time has come and I had to let her go.

Sitting in the jeep on the way down and back to the hotel, many thoughts raced through my mind. Visions of my sponsored child and the “very few moments” that we had together came flooding back. Tears started to flow again. I do not know when I’ll be able to come back to see her again. But one thing I know is, the events & memories which took place today, I will cherish forever in my heart.