Tuesday, June 14
How does it feel,
to know you can always make her smile?
I just had the first day of Haven Camp today.
Initially, when i was walking around.. looking around, the camp seemed to progressing rather smoothly; each group seem to be getting along well amongst themselves & with the facilitators and everyone seemed to be having fun (including the station masters and facilitators). Laughter is heard everywhere, smiles on their faces. Well, until we tried to play "Balloon Stomp" and failed due to already-present unhappiness in the various groups. So imagine my surprise, when I was debriefing the facilitators and they all agreed.. that their group members were actually bored and uninterested in the games.
Sarah Heah's comment made me think even further. She reminded me of the objectives we had in mind when we first planned the camp. To help them survive when they come out into the society in the future; to impact them, change their beliefs and value systems; to change their future choice of actions, perspectives... It made me realise, we didn't exactly achieve our objectives at all.
The brief reflection time after every station game, meant to provoke thoughts in the participants, was described as "utterly useless" by the facilitators. Participants memorised their answers; They did not think of how it applies to their lives, they just want to get on to the next station, the next game.
The activities may have progressed smoothly, according to plan.. But what use is that, if we do not achieve our objectives? What use is that, if the participants do not benefit? What use is it, if this was "just another camp"?
I understand it is not easy, but we have to try. I understand that it takes a lot of effort, and even time, for the particpants to open up.. but it is necessary. However, this is a rather sensitive issue: How would you feel, if you finally let someone new into your life, and he/she leaves after the camp ends?
Sigh. I can only hope, tomorrow will be better.
//update: 10.14pm
Thinking back, one of the facilitators mentioned something that got me thinking.
There was this one girl, when I first saw her walking out of Haven on our way to WCP, I thought she reminded me of my cousin. Cheerful, fun-loving, loves attention.. but at the heart, a simple kid. She reminded me so much of her, I just had to smile and tell Sarah about her.
During the debrief, her facilitator mentioned that the very same kid, probably only 7 years old, does not like speaking about herself. I think back of all the kids I've met, I've known.. Besides Joven Lee, all of them loved to share about themselves -- What they like, what they dislike.. interesting experiences, unfortunate experiences.. things they've learn, things they're wondering.. They just like to speak excitedly about the things that interest them.
A 7 year old girl, doesn't like talking about herself. How out-of-ordinary it is, especially with the first impression she left on me. I wonder, what kind of experiences must she have had to make her act this way.. because, from my gut feeling, this isn't her natural personality.
"I think you guys need to learn it more than the kids at Haven -- How to get back on your feet after facing failure." -- Mr Lau
How true, I'm sure.. They've experienced far worse than we have.
what we are, right now @ 9:46 PM.
