RSIS Big Build Vietnam: xin chao Na Mon
Posted: 02 December 2017
11th December – Arriving in Na Mon
Written by Alli and Abby
Today we work up early, around 6 am and had our last breakfast at the hotel and our last hot shower for a few days.
We had a briefing and loaded all our luggage onto the bus. We left in two groups and drove for 4.5 hours with a few stops on the way for some snacks and scenery and then got to Na Mon. The weather was kind of gloomy and a bit colder than we thought it would be, but then we went to look at our new home and they were so much nicer than we anticipated.
We each have either one long mattress that everyone shares or two – three mattresses divided up by mosquito nets. We each also have blankets and pillows, really comfortable for us to set up our sleeping bags on. It is exciting to be staying in a house with stilts – a brand new experience for us.
We had a lunch of rice, noodles, spring rolls, noodles, and meat, with pineapple and as we were all starving after our bus ride, it was really nice.
After lunch we went for our walk around town, got to see the dam where we would be working on and what we would be doing, and got to admire the village of Na Mon – very green and beautiful. Most of the families have chickens, pigs, ducks, dogs, cows and buffalo, as well as crops depending on what can grow in the region.
We then went and played some games and got to hang around with our home families and then had a dinner. After dinner we helped with dishes and then the Village Leader answered all the questions we had about the people of the village, (him, income, family, education, politics, etc). We were very grateful for an early night and to snuggle into our sleeping bags.
12th December – time to rock and roll
Written by Chelsea, Izy, Ben, Owen and Akash
Today was our first proper morning. We woke up to the glorious sound of a cockerel.
After I woke and stepped outside to see the moist morning dew, as I strolled to the bathroom hole, the day had begun. I think today was quite hard, but it was well worth it.
As we worked I turned to my left and took a gander at the rice paddy knowing that this would help the families of the Na Mon we are staying with. Walking along the rice paddies I slipped and slided and gloomed and glided down among the fields. I shed a tear as I breathed in the atmosphere around me saying ‘xin chao’ (hello) to all I saw. I realised how tough it is in the village, and felt a real urge to help them in every way. They were so welcoming and helpful as my knees where weak, my arms were heavy, everyone’s face was sweaty, I really miss my mums spaghetti.
As we move the rocks up the hill we wrapped to little pumps raps, to keep the spirits high. When the rocks went down the hill they came in like a wrecking ball, the hardest bit was lugging all the sand among the reeds. The banks kept collapsing, throughout all the challenges we faced spirits were high and there was lots of laughter!!!
‘cảm ơn’ (thank you) for reading.
Basket weaving
Students enjoyed a crafty evening of textiles, mastering the traditional art of basket weaving under the close supervision of the ladies of the village.