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 Home Tsunami Reconstruction Project Updates ITE College East |
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By Afasah Ahmad, Expedition Leader/LecturerOn 1 July 2006, 30 students from ITE College East, accompanied by two ITE staff embarked on a trip to Banda Aceh for Overseas Community Project. The project was named "Project Atjeh 2006".
The purpose and objectives of this trip is to provide humanitarian services to Aceh people who experienced the catastrophic tsunami on 26 December 2004. It is also to develop team-building skills, instill leadership qualities in students and provide overseas service learning experience.
There were several community activities being carried out by our ITE students while they were in Banda Aceh. The community projects were split into two phases. During the first phase, a multi-purpose court was reconstructed for a primary school in Saree district and a mini-library and study area for a religious school was set-up in Sibreh district. During the second phase, training in personal hygiene, first aid and Basic English were conducted for Aceh children. The whole project was summed up by a one-day sports carnival for six villages' children organised by the students. The project was a huge success.
Amidst all the pain, joy and laughter while carrying out the project, it was imperative that sharing and reflection sessions were conducted. Students had to reflect on what they experienced and learned throughout the whole expedition. They shared their thoughts and feelings during the debrief sessions. From the debrief sessions, students learnt more about themselves and also respect on others' perspectives and experiences.
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These are what the students have to say
"This trip to Banda Aceh has made me see things in a different perspective. It taught me that life is very fragile and to value it." Hafiz
"After Aceh, I realise there's more to life in this world." Rajiv
"I really wish that I could help them even more." Melissa
"After we set our differences aside, we were an unstoppable force, and I'm proud of that." Hsu Han.
The local residents were very happy by all the work done by the Singapore team. In the farewell speeches by the village headman of the Sibreh district and Principal of Saree district school, both continuously expressed gratitude to the team and hoped the relationship would not end there. They also welcome Singaporeans with open arms. To show their gratitude, they gave away tokens of appreciation to the team leader.
Our students left a good impact on the Aceh children. All the children cried their hearts out on our last day of expedition and implored them to re-visit them soon. The children and our students exchanged contact numbers and they promised to keep in touch with each other.
The whole project ended with a one-hour concert by children of the Tsunami. During the performance, the children cited poetry, sang songs and presented Aceh traditional dance. An eight-year-old girl ended the show by reminding the audience the need for Acehnese people to forge ahead in life but not to forget the victims of the December 26 tragedy. Through the performances, the audience were brought back to the memories of Tsunami in Aceh and the need to move on in life.
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