YEP Yunnan March 2017

Youth Expedition Project (YEP) to

Yunnan, China in March 2017

Accompanied by Mr Chua Tji Leng, Ms Annie Ong and Mr Ng Shek Kim, 28 students/volunteers from the School of Engineering (SOE), School of InfoComm Technology (ICT) and School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HMS), embarked on a 14-days Youth Expedition Project (YEP) to Yunnan, China. This trip, funded by both the National Youth Council (NYC) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, took place from 9^th March to 23^rd March 2017.

From strangers, the two-weeks adventure in Yunnan provided numerous opportunities for everyone to bond and forge stronger friendships. All of us were immersed in a variety of activities, which included teaching primary school students from Yaonan Village Primary School, assisting in fence building, cooking meals as well as participating in home visits to gain first-hand experience of the villagers’ daily lives. Despite facing obstacles along the way, we managed to support each other and worked together with little hassle to attain our shared goal for this trip – to serve the overseas community and learn from one another. All things considered, majority of the team members would agree that this trip has been an enriching and fulfilling experience, being able to benefit and learn so much from the service learning. Now, let’s hear what some of the members have to share about their experience.

After this YEP trip, it enlightened me and I learnt many things from it. One example would be from the two home visits that we went. Both families are living in a mud house and their living conditions aren’t very good, yet neither families complain about their situations and instead carry on with life with a positive outlook. From this, I learnt that we should stay positive no matter how difficult things get, and continue to persevere on. We should also be grateful for what we have and should learn to appreciate them. This trip had also changed some of my bad habits like complaining and giving up easily when I meet an obstacle and thanks to this YEP trip, I can change all these bad habits. All in all, if i were given another opportunity to go for another YEP trip, I will not hesitate to sign up.

Jordan Jin (Year 2, Biomedical Engineering)

This trip has taught me to cherish all the little things in life and to be more appreciative of what we already have, like having a roof over my head and a proper bed to sleep on.

Additionally, it has given me the opportunity to hone my leadership and people skills, and I’ve also learnt the true meaning of service learning.

The students we taught - not all of them come from happy backgrounds and most of them aren’t born with a silver spoon in their mouths and yet, if you simply look at them smiling and running around all day you’d never guess the hardships they have went through already at such a young age. We went there to teach them English, but they taught us the true meaning of life.

Farah Adilah (Year 3, Biomedical Engineering)

I've learnt that sometimes, we have to take a step out of our comfort zone to learn something new. Through all the house visits, mountain walks, teaching sessions, and meal plannings, I was able to see things from a new perspective and  I feel like I came out of the journey as a more knowledgeable person. - Katelyn Phua (Year 3, Early Childhood)

We embarked on this trip with the objectives of learning the cultures there, helping and understand the community needs and of course teaching them some basic English language through different themes. However, what amazes me most is the amount of little things I learnt through these trips! That includes how the children can find happiness in tons of simple things with their simple life! They strongly value their family kinship and always want to help the family in any possible way. In additional, through this trip, I was given a chance to see how great leaders lead the team. Things that simply can't be taught, but you have to experience it to learn it. Lastly, YEP required us to portray a strong sense of teamwork and being able to work as a team definitely made things a lot better. It's definitely a value added experience to better myself as a person! -  Tan Guan Wei (Year 2, Biomedical Engineering)

This being my second YEP trip to Yunnan, I have a greater urge and motivation to do everything to the best of my ability to help the villagers here. This trip was way more heart-aching as compared to the previous trip, as we got to interact with the even poorer families this time. They lived a simple life, yet they have the greatest and wealthiest heart which everyone in the cities lack.

Every single time I go back, it motivates me even more to want to keep on serving and giving back to my community and help these less fortunate people. I am thankful for yet another opportunity.  - Peggy Yeo(Year 3, Biomedical Engineering)

The trip made me reflect about my own living conditions and I now truly appreciate what I have back at home.

The trip has made me more enthusiastic and more willing to serve others who are less fortunate. I found true meaning in service to others.

I have also become more sensitive to the plight of certain communities both locally and overseas. - Terrence Goh(Year 3, Multimedia & Animation)

One thing I've learnt from YEP is perspective. The ability to look at things from other perspectives other than my own. The ability to accept people despite their flaws and still look at them as people. That is the most important thing I've learned. - Matthew Philip (Year 3, Biomedical Engineering)

This trip has taught me many things. Firstly, to always find the light in the darkness. Secondly, is to be emotionally strong. Last and most importantly, is to always be grateful for what you have. - Richmond Choo (Year 1, Biomedical Engineering)

Being my third trip to Yaonan, I was more or less familiar with most details of the trip, and that inevitably made me take on the role as a leader. I wasn't confident that I can take good care of my members, and I am guilty of not being as hardworking or caring as the other leaders, but I did my best. As I walked down the roads and conquered the difficult terrains, I recalled how each trip/lesson in the past actually helped me grow as an individual. Despite all the hardships, it was through the lecturers' guidance and the teamwork between all of us that we managed to forge so many beautiful memories and enrich ourselves through this experience. I wish to thank each and every participant who have made a positive change to my life, and for brightening up my days during this trip. - Neo Hui Qi (Year 3, Chinese Media)

YEP Yunnan March 2016

Youth Expedition Project (YEP) to

Yunnan, China in March 2016

Accompanied by Mr Chua Tji Leng and Ms Annie Ong, 25 students mainly from School of Engineering (SOE) and School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HMS), embarked on a 14-days Youth Expedition Project (YEP) to Yunnan, China. This trip, funded by the National Youth Council (NYC), took place from 28^th March to 10^th April 2016.

From strangers, the two-weeks adventure in Yunnan provided numerous opportunities for everyone to bond and forge stronger friendships. All of us were immersed in a variety of activities which includes teaching primary school students from Yaonan Village Primary School, assisting in fence building, cooking meals as well as participating in home visits to gain first-hand experience into the villagers’ daily lives. Despite facing obstacles along the way, we managed to support each other and worked together to attain our purpose for this trip – that is, to serve the overseas community and learn from one another. Majority of the team members would agree that this trip has been a fulfilling experience as we benefitted from the service learning and we are grateful for having given the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful trip. Now, let’s hear personally what the members have to share.

 This YEP allowed me to visit the homes of 2 children. The 2 days of house visits were really memorable to me. I observed how happy the children were at the smallest things such as playing on a tree branch, plucking leaves, or throwing stones into a puddle of water. I admire how peaceful an afternoon can go by just sitting with their family eating nuts, exploring their crops field or even just chatting with them. I saw how their families continue working hard to make their lifestyles better such as working despite having injuries. The families were also thankful with what they already have despite being underprivileged. This YEP made me realized how fortunate we are in Singapore to have stable housing to live in and many job opportunities for people to earn their living. I also realized that spending time with friends and family, even simply just sitting down together to have a chat can be really enjoyable. I would definitely want to embark on another YEP trip to help the people in the underprivileged countries.

Koh Jing Xuan

Year 3, Early Childhood

From appreciating little presents given to them to going on hour-long hikes, the children over in Yunnan sure know how to enjoy the little things in life. It makes me appreciate what I have and strive to give more to help the underprivileged. The hikes we went on as a group were really enjoyable as well. Although it was a bit far, we entertained each other along the way and got closer together as a group. These are the moments I will never forget.

Glen Tan

Year 3, Biomedical Engineering

Going for the YEP trip to Yunnan had been a fruitful learning experience for

me. Apart from exploring new places, I managed to establish new friendships with people of diverse backgrounds. During the house visits, I was given the opportunity to learn on the different family types and the lifestyles they lead. It made me realise on how fortunate I was to be living in Singapore. The children may not have much, but they savour everything that they had. Overall, this trip changed my perspective towards life and that is to always persevere in every task that I do, and find happiness in the little things. After all, it is the little things that make life big.

Lydia (Left)

Year 3, Early Childhood

Throughout this whole trip, it is really an eye opening for me because the environment, the way they live is totally different from Singapore. I think we are too pampered living in Singapore that sometimes we forget to think about others that are way worse than us. It was truly a great and meaningful experience that i can share with all my friends and family about. We should definitely appreciate the little things that we have in Singapore. It was sad to see that even little things we give them it gave the children so much joy and happiness. I really hope that i will be able to continue on helping those underprivileged people in Singapore and brings joy to their life as well.

Syazwani (Middle)

Year 3, Early Childhood

This trip has been an amazing and worthwhile two-weeks for me. Being able to meet people from different walkways of life and experiencing  things that I would not be able to do in Singapore; those were the best things that happened to me during the trip. We are really fortunate to live in Singapore, being able to access to everything and anything, while the kids there are just happy with the things that they have. One main takeaway I had from the trip is that, simplicity is happiness. Even with the simplest things in life, you can be happy. I’m looking forward for the next trip to Yunnan!

Peggy Yeo

Year 3, Biomedical Engineering

This YEP has been a fruitful and beneficial one for me. I had the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of a different culture. We followed one of students for the tomb sweeping. This made me learn the importance of their ancestors in the culture.

Moreover, this trip has gifted me with some wonderful souls in the name of friends. Whatever it was -good or bad, we did things together and had an awesome time over in China. Last but not least, this YEP trip would remain close to my heart due to the things that I have learnt and seen-be it the cute little reactions the kids give me or the simplest thing like being grateful of things you have in life. Overall, it would be remembered as a beautiful journey when I look back in time to come.

Subramaniam Shangari

Year 3, Biomedical Engineering

Although it is the second time going for yep, it is still an enriching experience for me. Interacting with the locals there taught me to appreciate and cherish the things  and people around me. The two weeks in Yuxi has been a very meaningful time for me, we were supposed to teach the children, but I feel like I learnt more from them instead. Seeing how the little things in life can bring so much joy to them, I realised that life is so much more than just earning big money and getting good grades. If given the opportunity, I'll definitely go the third time.

Wong Yuan Sheng

Year 3, Biomedical Engineering

Going on three YEP trips has given me many opportunities to grow personally and develop leadership skills. If you were to ask me why, I’d tell you that I Go every time because I love spending time with the children and I love doing any project work that would help them in any way possible. If given a chance to go again I would sign up in a heartbeat.

Matthew Philip

Year 3, Biomedical Engineering

I always believe that it's the small things that matters. I cannot do everything but I can do something. I don't think I could make a difference in someone's else life but all I wanted to was to put a smile on the faces of the children in Yunnan. Through this trip, I have learnt that simplicity was the ultimate sophistication. They lived by no rules, no luxury or material items we could enjoy, but they are contented with all the small little toys they they made out of nothing. They treasured every moment with us. This definitely motivated me to continue helping the less fortunate after this YEP trip.

Jackson Ang

Year 3, Aerospace Electronics

YEP trip is not like any other study trip! The experience gained enriches students to be more hardworking, helpful and considerate. In this trip, it also enlightened me to be grateful for what i have in Singapore, because the children are contented with the minimal stuff they owned. Honestly, I definitely gained a lot more from the children in China than what i hoped to give them. I feel very honored and privileged to have be given this opportunity in NP.

Vanessa Loh

Year 3, Aerospace Electronics