Yesterday (technically speaking it was the day before yesterday - yes I know I'm overdue in blogging), I met up with Aunty Bee Ngor of Love Cambodia to develop a more concrete plan for this years KE OCIP. Speaking to her brought back truck loads of memories - memories of when I was in Thailand - Chang Mai, doing my very first overseas service-learning.

Yes, I have I had gone on a trip just this last May, but truth to be told, it wasn't fulfilling at all. I admit, I might have brought the wrong mindset over when I saw how insolvent and empty the structure was. It was as though the entire team did not understand what was service-learning. Well, frankly speaking, I think they still don't. When I was there, I just wanted to get it over and done with. Reflecting back upon it now, I ask myself why didn't I step up and change things. This, would be a dark mark on my own conscious and I have no one to blame but myself.

This year, I devote myself to an entirely new trip, working under the capable hands of Huiling. I admit, I'm still neglecting my duties, especially towards Huiling and I haven't been able to share her burdens. I hate my inability to juggle my time, but now that IBG has ended, I'm going to help her more. Needless to say, I'm terribly proud and indebted to her, for stepping up and making this change; for wanting to spread the values of service-learning.

Service-Learning, how do you view it? How much value  would you place on each component? Which one comes first? Service? Or learning?

ISLE - Thailand - Chang Mai has taught me that in order to learn, you have to serve and as you serve, you will never fail to learn. Service-learning goes hand in hand, you bring about a better community to where you serve, then you continuously learn about how to serve them better. Simultaneously, you learn about your weaknesses and strengths, you build upon your confidence and you learn to trust others with your flaws. Service-learning is wonderful.

Service-learning is always overwhelming. You will come face to face with countless challenges, you be stuck in a dilemma about life (in general) and you will (sometimes) breakdown under the tremendous pressure and unexpected discoveries. However, all of that is a process of growing. It might be a very Spartan way of growing (in many people's eyes) but having the courage to try and to take it up and let it teach you, is growth in itself. I highly recommend service-learning, it is a lesson that you can never achieve in a classroom. And it is NOT a one time experience, after being touched, it is time to touched others; help to steer other (younger) souls back onto the right path of life.

Humility, passion, appreciation for life, thriftiness, perseverance, resilience, etc. are words that are easily said but not put into practiced nor reflected upon. In a very Singaporean slang, we term it NATO - No Action, Talk Only. Yes, we learn such values, but do we really practice them? Do we? We know they are good, but just how good? Chang Mai taught me that the poor might jut be the richest people around, that happiness stems from within and hardship genuinely mould souls that are humane.

Home is awesome, with all its first class goods and services; materialism is what we live upon. Home lacks the simplicity of life. Just like how we keep our wealth, possession and property under locks and chains, we are keeping our humility, compassion and trust under locks and chains as well. From my argument, you might think I resent this first world society, please do not be mistaken. I don't, why would I when I have the comfort of a bed, unlimited supply of clean water (though we still have to pay for it), electricity and access to world class tertiary education. The catch is that, service-learning teaches you to stop taking all these for granted and SHARE what you have in excess with those who are in need.

There is still much more for me to learn and much more for me to serve. There is even more for me to recall and reflect. I am proud of her, when today maine finished her food after I told her to. Sometimes growing isn't about going on a life-changing trip, it is also about the small things in life. ISLE - Thailand taught me that. It's time I start to remember; start to teach.

it matters not who I am but who I want to be.

till next time.