Post - trip Local Project @ Siling Primary School

Serene, Wanting, Kay and I came down to Siling Primary School on the 28th December 2009 with the intentions to wrap up the local project and to share with the children what we have experienced during the trip. We kick-started the programme at 1020am.

We have prepared a presentation addressing what we have done and experienced over there. As soon as the presentation started, the children sat down with their watchful eyes and to listen with their attentive ears. The children were soon immersed in what we were sharing with them. Curiosity was the word of the day. Quite a number of them bombarded us constantly with questions. As we discussed the lifestyles of the children over there, the siling children compared it to their own. They came to realise how fortunate it was for them to be in Singapore and learnt not to take things for granted.

After the presentation, we had a short Q&A session. We answered many of the burning questions the children had. Their questions range from the lifestyles of the Burmese children to the different cultures among the tribes. We ended the session at 1130am. Although the children did not have the chance to go to Myanmar with us but they certainly widened their knowledge bank of it through our short session with them. 

Yea!! Almost all of us are back at SG!! Please take good care of yourselves and see you all at the next meeting! Remember to finish all the thank-you notes by the next meeting =)

Love, Wan Ting

UPDATES from Wan Ting on $:

Mingalabar peeps! Eh.. Oh. I rmb wad I wanted to say. After staring hard at the bankbook and trying to find the old sms-es you all have sent me, I've more or less figured out each amount on the bankbook and double-checked with the excel file. Here's the scanned images:

As you can see I've yet to figure out the last transaction because I put all the cash in at one go and the envelope I wrote on previously has been lost. Yup.

Hmm. This post sounds really random haha. Muz b slpy.
If I was looking very fierce and/or rude to you in any way during the retreat, please forgive me because I haven't realise it myself. You can scold me back next time hehe

And oh. I have not included what donations June gave me and Thu Linn's basic expenditure fee, just to inform you all.

Local Project @ Siling Primary School

We (LH, YY and I) completed our last and final pre-trip local project @ Siling Primary School on 24th November. We have a group of 16 children aged 7-10 at Siling Primary School. These children are like angels, very well-behaved, very easy to bluff.

We started off with some ice-breakers, followed by a presentation on Myanmar by me. Most of the children do not know where Myanmar was. Some were quite surprised by the condition of the classrooms in Myanmar. Overall, the children were very interested and engaged in the presentation. I explained that they will be writing and designing a postcard to a "friend" in Myanmar.

After that we break them into groups of 5. Yong Yan and Leong Hwee taught the children some burmese words. "Mingalabar" became the hottest word after this activity! In their own groups, the children played mini-games to learn more Burmese words.

The children then went back to their desk and started designing and writing their postcards. They were very eager to write their postcards. Some even us if their friends in Myanmar understand English!?

In my eyes, the children embodied innocence, encapsulated by the hope that they can make a new friend overseas. I took a peep at their letters - some of them wrote about their PSP and favorite cartoon characters that are "alien" to us. It seems to me that these children are fervently fighting the onslaught of modernisation with thier new computer games and cartoon characters.

The activity ended at about 1630.

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MINUTES OF PROJECT SMILE TEAM MEETING HELD ON 191109 AT 17 33 HOURS
Present:
Chin Guan (Guan)
Siew Kuang (SK)
Wan Ting (WT)
Serene
Adrian
Li Jun
Leong Hwee (LH)
Yong Yan
Ain
Lisa
Liz
Darren

Absent:
Kay
June
Mike
Ei Kyaing

1 Commencement of meeting

The meeting was commenced by SK at 19 33 hrs.

2 Sub-committee updates

Tee: Team will be having 3 shirts – MAI-sponsored grey shirt, 1 cotton tee and 1 polo tee. Cotton and polo shirts are priced at $9.90 and $11.90 respectively. The colour of the cotton tee is blue with white font; includes MAI logo. As for the polo tee, it is either white or black (Serene to confirm the colour). A 15% discount is given for the polo tees. Team is to wear MAI-sponsored shirt on 7 Dec 2009 when we meet the media (as a form of publicity stunt).
Banner: Mike is unable to do up the banner due to his FYP, so Guan is doing it. The year shouldn’t be included inside the banner so that it can be reused again. SK suggested giving the banner to the village.

Local project: Local project at Si Ling Primary School on Mon, 23 Nov 2009. For those going, please wear appropriately (according to MOE’s instructions). Darren did a presentation in his dept and managed to get Chinese books. SK suggested trying to get more pictorial books/ flashcards/ jigsaw puzzles.

SK is trying to get Jacintha from the CHIJ mission to share her experiences with us.

Welfare and accommodation: Lisa communicated with FPO, who replied that it is able to supply post-its and small notebooks for us to use as gifts for the village head and ‘big shots’. Hence, team is going to take the free notebooks. FPO also suggested buying corporate gifts through NIE so as to get corporate rates. Lisa will follow up with FPO; to ask for 10x pens and 10x ceramic mugs with a budget of $30. Chocolates are to be bought for host families.

Logistics: Materials we have collected up till now include 200 x little dog books, 10x books from Li Jun, posters, 1 box of books from NIE English Dept and charts. Mayflower primary is still packing their books, so Adrian will wait for the librarian’s reply. Kay has 4 boxes of stuff to give; Adrian to arrange for time to collect from Kay’s house. Ain will settle the sports equipment at CHIJ. Team needs to collect some logistics resources from Jacintha (help transport her logistics to Yangon). A driver and lorry is required for 7 Dec 2009 and Daren will follow up on this matter. SK needs to give Adrian’s last year’s log head contact. Chin Guan to visit a company on Tues to look at and buy the necessary Science apparatus and posters. We can also make our own posters such as those Dr Tan lent us. SK also requires team to split up all donated items to a few locations so that we can donate accordingly to various locations (e.g.: orphanage).

Fundraising: Lee foundation has donated $4000 =) but the cheque is addressed to the wrong people =( . Another problem is that the money will be under NIE, so receipts are required before money can be taken out. Thus, there is cash flow problems =( (Have raised ~10k but there is only 4k cash).
Treasury: WT and SK will decide how much to SGD change to USD and Kyat. Everyone will get a Ziploc bag containing their own money when they reach Yangon. About 2 – 3 Burmese from Yangon are joining us (SK will confirm this when she reaches Myanmar). SK has informed them that team will be paying for their food and transport, so be sensitive when talking about money matters in front of them.

Chalet: Team will be meeting at 15 30 to check in (Please have lunch before coming!). Then we’ll be playing Amazing race in the east area from 17 00 – 21 00 (similar activity in Yangon). *Note: Please settle dinner as we play the game. During the chalet, we will be conducting emergency action plan and risk management, followed by curriculum planning. All activities will cease at about 00 00 or 01 00. Guys will sleep on the 1st floor while the girls sleep upstairs. Everyone in the team to bring sleeping bags due to lack of bed space. Team will wake up at ~06 00 the next day for sunrise walk, then go for breakfast. Next, team will be doing detailed lesson planning before 12 00, then Kay will give a Myanmar lesson on what are the phrases to use when giving instructions etc. Lunch will be packed food. From 14 00 – 18 00, team will conduct lesson dry run in stimulated scenarios. For the 2nd night, from 18 00 – 21 00, there will be BBQ and games. Some alumni members are invited to the BBQ as well. A facilitation session is at 22 30 and team will sleep by 00 00. On the 3rd day, team will go through debrief from ~09 00 – 10 00, have breakfast then go home.

Chalet (Planning): Welfare & logistics will take charge of food and logistics (Budget = $150, excluding breakfast). Buy cheap and easy-to-cook food. For meat, choose only fish and chicken. Suggested food: stingray, hotdog, corn, fried rice/ bee hoon, fillet, hot dog, otah. Let Adrian know what you may want to bring e.g. potato chips. Those buying the food can get from NTUC, Seng Shiong etc at Parkway (may need to meet earlier). Local project and fundraising team to do games for BBQ and spirit boosters (i.e.: cheers etc). Try to involve as many people as possible. May be roped in to be group leaders for amazing race. Guan is to prepare prizes and Programme team will facilitate dry runs for Day 2. *Note: please come up with scenarios e.g.: there are 60 students in the Sci class from 10 00 – 11 00 & we’ll do a 30-min stimulation.

Program: 25 Nov 10 00 – 12 00 Robert’s English Workshop. Kay, WT, YY, LH, SK & Guan are going. SK is suggesting that YEP leaders, SLC committee and Prof Vilma etc to be invited as well.
Next meeting on 26 Nov 2009: Meeting next Thurs, 26 Nov 2009, at 18 00. Venue: Block 2-B1-TR11. Team will be packing and selecting the teaching materials each group wants so as to prepare the lessons accordingly. These resources will be brought to the chalet too.

3 Working Groups Discussion

Team debated on the main topic to be incorporated into each working group’s curriculum. SK suggested integrating various subjects together (something BOOMZ in MOE now). Issues related to the environment are brought out (e.g.: global warming, deforestation, 3Rs, carbon footprint, ozone layer, cyclone, biodegradable products, land fertility and agriculture). YY suggested that team needs to know what environmental problems Myanmar is facing, then we can do a more global approach (direction of teaching will be more towards creating awareness rather than what they should or should not do) & ask them to discuss what they can do. Alternatively, we can use the main topic for the Learning festival. SK feels that the main aim of choosing this topic is to dispel the villagers’ superstitions by telling them about what scientists think about these issues, but don’t tell them they are superstitious. In the end, the team decided to focus on climate change (especially for grades 10 – 11). Team can get articles from magazines then translate them into Burmese.

SK & Liz presented their overview of lesson plan for all the grades:

• Overview of program =1hr per lesson per class. 4 days in total.
• Grades 1 & 2: Darren + Serene
• Speaking, Listening
• Grades 3 – 5: YY & Adrian
• Speaking, Listening
• Story telling. 3 bks.
• Grades 6 : LH & Lisa
• Speaking, Listening
• Word Games, jigsaw puzzles, Tongue Twisters,
• Grade 7: SK & Liz
• Rainbow Fish
• Integrated program
• Grade 8: LH & Liz
• Speaking, Listening, Writing
• Grade 9: SK & Lisa
• Speaking, Listening, Writing
• Postcards writing
• Grade 10: Science Group
• Grade 11: Liz & SK to head, but all are in as group facilitator for all 4 sessions.
• Will need to do homework!! Write compos & we’ll do feedback on grammar.
  1st compo: letter writing
  2nd compo: aspirations
  Theme songs (Burmese & Eng)

We're done!! =D

MINUTES OF PROJECT SMILE TEAM MEETING HELD ON 121109 AT 1930 HOURS

Present:

Chin Guan

Siew Kuang

Kay Khine Win

Lisa

Wan Ting

Serene

Adrian

Li Jun

June

Leong Hwee

Yong Yan

Absent:

Ain

Lisa

Liz

Darren

Ei Kyaing Soe

1 Commencement of meeting

The meeting was commenced by Siew Kuang at 1930 hrs.

2 Introduction

The meeting started off with SK briefing the group about the submission of visa and medical forms, and passports to Kay. Team to sent $600 to WanTing asap.

3 Myanmar Lesson

Team revised their Myanmar language via playing “Blow Wind Blow”. Refer to google docs for new words-of-the-day!

4 Sub-Committees Update

Fundraising and Sponsorship and Grants: Team will continue to raise funds till the 30th Nov. Leong Hwee managed to get roughly 50-100 Science books. CHIJ and NLB donated sports equipment, wind-breakers, books and F1 posters.

Local Project: Si ling Primary School local project will be on the 23rd November, 1430-1700.

Welfare: Documented the application forms. Need to photocopy all the passports. To contact NIE if they have any gifts to give the host families. Welfare need to get malaria pills, gifts and local delights.

Treasury: Members who have not transfer $600 to WT, please do so asap. We have hit our target for the fundraising and donations. Well done team!

Attention: Robert will be brief us about how to use pictures to teach English at the Amphitheatre, 25th Nov, Wed 1030-1130AM.

Retreat is at East Coast on the 28th & 29th.

5 Working Groups Discussion

Groups discuss and plan for the specific programmes.

6 End of meeting

Meeting ended at 1015pm

Polo Tshirt Designs

The front is ilovesmile logo, the back says 'Happiness starts from ME :)'

The design will be embroidered on the t-shirt, not the printed on type.

Final Shirt Designs :)

I like blue and white shirt designs.

Next polo shirts.

Pre-trip Local Proj @ St Hilda's Pri

The Local Project for St Hilda's Primary was done on 3rd (P6/4) and 5th (P6/10) of Nov respectively. It was an activity-packed and meaningful 2 hrs cultural exchange for the kids.

After a few ppt slides on Project SMILE, Myanmar location and traditional culture.. we moved on to breaking the ice with the kids!

Due to the large class size, we divided the kids into three facilitation groups according to their index numbers. Phew, there was a more or less equal mix of males/females! The first 2 Burmese phrases they learnt were "Mingalabar" and "Jer ma/naw namae _______". So we practiced these 2 phrases during the introduction round whereby they'd to say those as well as an interesting fact about themselves.

Yongyan and Kyaw breaking the ice with P6/10

The high energy kids were itching to move around after the introduction. Next activity: Jigsaw mix! The facilitators pasted fragmented pieces of Burmese/English words on the students' backs, and they were supposed to shuffle themselves around to construct 2 sensible English phrases per group. The eventual six phrases were pasted on the whiteboard and we went through the Burmese translation for each phrase. Some students from P6/10 actually copied them down on a foolscap paper for reference! wow

Lijun making the kid's life VERY difficult by pasting it upside down?!

P6/10 solved the puzzle really fast!

It was back to the P1 days whereby we parroted the teacher's words. hahaha
Teacher: Je zu din ba dae means "Thank you very much". Class, now repeat after me.. 1,2..
Class: (in chorus) Je zu din ba dae

The next segment was probably the most captivating segment of the lesson. Adrian showed 3 videos on how Chinlone is played in Myanmar. A brief description on Chinlone - it's not a competitive sport but rather, seen as a form of 'dance' whereby the person in the centre (known also as the 'Prince') would display graceful stunts to juggle the ball and his friends (surrounding him in a circular arrangement) would help keep the ball in the circle. The agility, flexibility and ball control of the Burmese wow-ed the students and even the teachers! The kids couldn't wait to give a shot at Chinlone.

Shafiq juggling the ball like a soccer player. Rising star aye!

This girl must be a ballerina! or it's the "chapteh" style

Adrian joined the boys

Well, all good fun comes to an end. Soon, we'd to begin on our card-making session. The Burmese phrases from the Jigsaw mix activity were left on the whiteboard so that the kids could include them in their cards. Here's the P6/10 girls writing rather lengthy cards:

The facilitators walked round throughout the entire session to attend to the kids' queries. This helped ensure that the contents in the cards were suitable for the Burmese children to reply to! The students showed enthusiasm in using their newly learnt Burmese phrases!

Sadly, we only had time to take a group shot with P6/4 and their completed work.

Adrian's sheep (Group 1)

Lijun's potential soccer stars (Group 2)

My.. err.. silly billys. (Group 3)

Haha, so the days came to an end. We, as beginning teachers learnt some new classroom management skills (ahh, typical tee-chers!) and how the new generation of kiddos were going to be. I'm sure the Burmese phrases stuck close to their heads cos the next time I met my teacher, he told me;

Mr Soong: "Lisa, my boy spoke some weird stuff to me along the corridor yesterday."
Me: "oh really? was it Mingalabar?? it's the easiest word they could remember!"
Mr Soong: "No... it was longer than that!"
Me: "-laughs- then how did you reply?!"
Mr Soong: "Sorry la, I don't understand Burmese!"

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Pre- trip Local Project @ CDAC

On Sat 24th Oct 2009, some of our team members set off to CDAC Tampines Student Service Centre. We arrived at 3pm and proceeded to conduct our local project. We kicked off the session with a brief ice-breaker to allow us to learn more about the children and vice versa.

After the round of introduction, we moved on to give a presentation about Project Smile and what we were planning to do. In no time, the children were deeply captivated and enthralled by our colourful and elaborate slides.

Next, they were having fun trying to converse with one another using some basic Burmese words taught by us.

After that, we proceeded to distribute the heart-shaped cards to them. With that, they commenced the card-writing session. They were having fun trying to dish out their creativity on the little pieces of papers. Due to the size constraint set upon them, they completed their papers in a short time. Most of them were peppered with sincere greetings and well-wishes.

To conclude the session, we brought the children out to introduce and play a short game of Chin Lone. Most of the children were excited as that was their first time playing a foreign game. However, it had to be a quick demonstration and trying out due to inadequate time. Nonetheless, they had a quick game.

Some strengths:

• The children were able to be successfully engaged by us throughout the entire session. Most of them felt excited to be part of this.
• Our team displayed much friendliness to them thus allowing them to be at ease to concentrate and have fun.
• They understood and grasped the differences between the Burmese children and them. This left a deep impression on them to not to take things around them for granted.

Some shortcomings:

• The constraint of the card as it was too small to effectively allow them to write much or draw much. This limits their creativity and some degree of warmth and friendliness that they could have offered to the recipients.
• The timing was very tight due to some unforeseen circumstances such as their need to prepare for their examinations.

 

 

Our Group pic

MINUTES OF PROJECT SMILE TEAM MEETING HELD ON 051109 AT 1950 HOURS

Present:
Chin Guan
Siew Kuang
Kay Khine Win
Lisa
Wan Ting
Serene
Adrian
Mike
Ain
Liz
Yong Yan
Li Jun
June

Absent:
June
Kyaw
Darren
Ei Kyaing Soe
Leong Hwee


1 Commencement of meeting
The meeting was commenced by Siew Kuang at 1950 hrs.


2 Announcements
2.1 The respective ICs for each local project are to archive on the Project Smile blog.

2.2 All members are required to bring their passport, 3 IC photos with (preferable with white background); and completed forms for Visa application next meeting, 12 Nov 2009.

2.3 All members are required to transfer $600, together with the estimated expenditure, to Wan Ting and send her an sms notice after they have done so.

2.4 For members who will be extending their stay in Myanmar (be it earlier or later), need to transfer extra money, for food, accommodation and travelling (preferrale $250 for 5 days).

2.5 Members who have not gone for the medical checkup are reminded to do so. Medical Clearance forms are to be passed to Kay.

3 Details on Myanmar Visa Application Form
· The requirements for Visa applications are briefed by Chin Guan. Members can visit the Myanmar Embassy Singapore website ( http://www.mesingapore.org.sg/visa.htm ) to download the two documents, 1) Application form for tourist visa and 2) Report of Arrival for the Tourist Visa type (a): $35.

· Three copies of each form are to be filled in and signed by the application before submitting to Siew Kuan next meeting, 12 Nov 2009. In the application forms, for fields requiring the “full address in Myanmar”, members can simply fill in “hotel”.

· All other relevant documents (stated in the Embassy website) required for the Tourist Visa should also be submitted next meeting.

· Cover letter for the application will be drafted by Siew Kuang and Chin Guan.


4 Itinerary Briefing
Refer to “Project_SMILE_2009_Itinerary_Version_1.docx” under nieprojectsmile@gmail.com


5 Allocation of Working Groups in Myanmar
• After arriving in Kayin Chung Village, the team members will take on different roles according to the working groups assigned. There are 3 working groups, namely 1)Special Events, 2)Outreach and 3)Workshop.

• The role of Treasure, Welfare, Logistic and Program committee will remain the same, on top of the duties in working group; whereas Fund raising and Local Project Committee will change their role according to the working group assigned.

• The tasks/responsibilities and members of each working group are as follows:
o Special Events
– Sports enrichment
– Sports day
– Learning festival
– Farewell ceremony
– Science
– Grade 1,2
– Members: Kay, LiJun, Lisa, Ain, Wan Ting, Chin Guan

o Workshop
– Grade 3,4,5,6,7,8, 9, 11a,b
– Teacher’s sharing
– Resource banks
– Art enrichment
– Members: Kyaw Wunna, Kyaw Swar Oo, Liz, Siew Kuang, Yong Yan

o Outreach
– Library corner (refurnishing and building up resources of the library )
– Village Library
– Reading corner
– Hospital (to buy and donate medicines to the hospital)
– Other village
– Members: Ei Kyaing Mike, Adrian, Serene, Darren, Leong Hwee

• Teachers in Myanmar will be invited to join our team in the working groups, so that sharing can take place. Teacher sharing sessions will also include workshops on how to make Big books by the teachers.

• Special enrichment classes to be conducted for the respective levels of students includes: games/songs, Phonics, Nursery, Picture story, Art, Postcard Workshop, Drama (EL speaking), Science/Dialogue, Inspiration.


6 Update by Ain on the Sports Equipments
These equipments will be useful for the sports day, in activities such as Telematch, chair games, soccer, etc.


7 Update by Treasure on Donation Drive
Wan Ting reported that the Donations/Funds collected was $3367.50 (updated till 05 Nov).


8 End of meeting
Meeting ended at 2220 hrs.

Sorry guys for the super late mins!

MINUTES OF PROJECT SMILE TEAM MEETING HELD ON 221009 AT 1915 HOURS

Present:

Chin Guan

Siew Kuang

Kay Khine Win

Lisa

Wan Ting

Serene

Adrian

Mike

Kyaw

Li Jun

June

Leong Hwee

Absent:

Ain

Liz

Yong Yan

Darren

Ei Kyaing Soe

1 Commencement of meeting

The meeting was commenced by Siew Kuang at 1915 hrs.

2 Introduction

The meeting started off with sharing of the group/individual hopes and fears. Members split into two groups and worked on their personal/group fears and hopes. Robert shares with us how to use basic materials such as asking questions using pictures. We can use phrases like “tell me what you see”. We can also try to be wrong so the kids can “correct” you. This way we will know that they understand. Robert proposes future phonics course for us to teach them.

3 Myanmar Activity

Team to piece the jigsaw puzzles under their chairs and read the notes written behind. They learnt about MM ethnic culture through their costumes and childhood toys/games, and what to do/not to do as a respect to the burmese people.

4 Sub-Committees Update

We chose 2 logos.

Fundraising and Sponsorship and Grants: Li Jun and Leong Hwee are need to know the other members’ timetable for the bazaar roster. Every slot will be 2 hours. 2 person each from 11am-2pm. They will come up with roaster asap with specific instructions.

Local Project: Serene still need to confirm with other schools for the local project. CDAC will start this Saturday (24/10/09). We have 4 schools at the moment. CHIJ 6th November Friday. Si Lin (last week of nov), St Hilda’s (5/11/09)

They will need materials/resource for art. Duration of 2 hours.

Donation: Adrian will share about the accountability for donation drive. Powerpoint slides to show them (potential donors) what we are doing. Adrian will send us the ppt slide and form to execute in our classes. We will send them a copy of the report. Write your name and class and total amount collected for accountability. Please photocopy one copy for WanTing. (donation account for the lib/bazaar and donation from classmates)

5 End of meeting

Meeting ended at 1020pm