Observing the streets and buildings of Shanghai typifies how modernity and tradition exist side by side in urban China. A visit to the Bund perfectly encapsulates this juxtaposition: the west bank on the Puxi side with its whimsical art deco and neoclassical buildings faces east towards the futuristic cityscape of Pudong. The gleaming skyscrapers engulf what was mostly swampland just over 20 years ago. In Shanghai the traditional and the modern now co-exist comfortably.
At first sight, it seems like there are no road rules in Vietnam but, in fact, they are just very different (sometimes the exact opposite) of those that exist in Sydney. Crossing the road is daunting, especially as the scooters’ constant beeping adds to their aggressive air. On busy roads, you have no option but to slowly inch your way across (silent prayers are optional). One member of our group, Marlena, favours a different to technique that I like to call ‘ignorance is bliss’; the idea is that you simply close your eyes as your cross the street. This works quite well once you’re comfortable with the fact that scooter drivers do actually ride quite slow and are (usually) skilled enough to dodge you
2. Be courageous
Hanoi (and Vietnam in general) has a lot to offer, but to make the most of it, you will have to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t second guess yourself. The streets of Hanoi are so alive, so packed with goods and services to try. Eat street food, get your hair cut and your shoes polished, all without having to walk through a shop door.
3. Haggle, haggle, haggle
Haggling (or bargaining) is a central part of the shopping experience in Vietnam. Most shops don’t display prices and every shopkeeper inflates their prices in anticipation of bargaining wars. To accept the first price you’re offered is to make yourself known as a gullible foreigner.
4. Take a local with you
Exploring the streets with Derick allowed us to the try the best, out of the way food shops in Hanoi, which are well-known to locals but rarely touched by tourists. It also allowed us to gain a greater understanding of what was happening around us. He was excited to explain the culture and history behind statues, paintings, and artefacts. The history of Vietnam came alive in stale museums and on bustling streets.
Jacinta
Global Short Programs Student
Poverty Reduction through Microfinance, Vietnam
January 2014
My program consisted of three field trips to two different communities, Soc Son and Hoa Binh (which is Vietnamese for ‘peace’). Our workshops in Hanoi introduced us to the theories and complexities of microfinance programs, while the field trips translated these into practice. This combination allowed us invaluable insights into this area of development and inspiring glimpses of rural Vietnam.
During the field trips, we observed the communities, farming practices, and interviewed locals to learn about their experiences. Every farmer welcomed us into their home and was happy to share their story with us.
One of the interviews stands out for me. During our first field trip to Hoa Binh, we interviewed a young, female farmer to understand the levels of access to sanitation in the community. During the workshops, we had discussed the complexities of poverty and how it can be split into 3 levels: the poorest poor, the moderately poor and the richest of the poor. This young woman was in the first of these categories. She was married with two adorable young sons. They all lived in a small concrete house consisting of one room, in which there were two beds and a chest. Walking into her house, we could see the entirety of her material possessions, far removed from the luxury we are accustomed to. For some reason, her story of wanting to expand her crops resonated with me. Maybe it is because she is one of the poorest farmers we interviewed. Maybe because she is 21, the same age as me, which exemplifies how entirely different our lives are. To me, the most inspiring aspect was her resilience; she had a positive view of the future for her family, and plans to increase her income through hard work.
This is where microfinance comes in. Bloom provides small loans to farmers who prove that they will use the money to increase their capacity to earn income. These loans go up to US$400 (although the average loan is US$100) and provide farmers with the capital to buy things such as fertilizer and seeds at the start of the season and repay the loans using the profit they gained from the harvest. We encountered so many struggling families during the field trips, whose only income may come as infrequently as every 8 months. Making that income last is a struggle, creating a cycle of poverty that prevents them from investing in new crops or livestock. Microcredit loans provide farmers with the start up capital to escape that cycle. It is not an instant gateway out of poverty. It involves risk, careful planning and patience, but slowly it can make a difference.
The various interviews throughout our field trips showed us success stories as well as the issues that exist with the microfinance model. Overall, it was clear that microfinance and education programs were giving farmers in these communities a wider range of choices for their futures.
Jacinta
Global Short Programs Student
January 2014
Somehow, I have survived my first day in Hanoi. This city is so different to anything I’ve experienced before.
Yes, I’d been warned about crossing the street, but nothing can prepare you for the actual experience. It first hit me last night, when we were leaving the airport. I waited at a pedestrian crossing, watching the scooters whizzing by. Luckily for me, Rebecca grabbed my arm and pulled me across to the safety of our van. Mission Accomplished.
This morning, we met Derick from Bloom Microventures, who will be guiding us through the program and helping us adjust to life in Hanoi. He grew up in Hanoi and took us on a tour of the city this morning.
First stop was the Hồ Gươm Lake and a temple that overlooks it. This was an awesome chance for us to learn about the history of Hanoi. Derick explained to us that this lake and temple are significant in tales of the King who established Hanoi. It is believed that he found a sword in a forest after he was defeated in a battle. This sword brought good fortune to the King, helping him win many battles. One day, when the King was resting in Hồ Gươm Lake, a turtle visited him and told him to return his lucky sword. The King dropped the sword into the lake and the turtle now brings luck to anyone who sees it. After that, the hunt was on to spot the lucky turtle.
After that, we left the temple and took a stroll through the French part of Hanoi, where we indulged in a morning ice-cream. Derick promised us that we would taste the original recipe, unchanged since the French brought it over, and it did not disappoint.
The final stop for the morning was the Museum of Literature, built on the site of the first university of Vietnam. This museum contains original stone tablets containing the long history of Vietnamese scholars. It is also a place of worship, where many students will come to study Confucianism or pray for academic success.
One of my first impressions is that Hanoi is a city that bears its history in the open, for all to see. Even after more than sixty years of complete independence, the cultural influences of the French and Chinese are particularly shown though the architecture and food on display in the streets.
Jacinta
Global Short Programs Student
January 2014
Wow, where do I even begin. We arrived in Kenya on the 9th of January after a long flight but it all went very smooth. First weekend was about getting to know the area and establishing rules. The area we are based at is called Diani Beach and we live in very nice villas (which was a very comfortable surprise) only a few minutes walk from the beach.
On the Monday the games were about to begin! Every week we have visited three to four primary schools. The children are so amazing and lovely and you can tell they are so happy we are here to assist in developing better sports programs. Monday through Thursday each school have a morning session for the younger children and an afternoon session for the older children. The sessions consist of social work where the LSO staff communicate the theme of the week, such as respect, anti tribalism, gender equality and teamwork. They also go through Red card and Yellow card which are cards that will assist the staff if any child behaves badly. With the younger children we have mostly played games where they have to be active. I even taught them a Swedish game called Gingerbread which turned out to be a big hit. I just love seeing them run around with a big smile on their face. For the older children the session normally begins with a game as a warm up and then they jump straight into a sport. So far we have played football (or soccer as you may call it), rugby, netball and the last week will be volley ball.
Some times the sports have turned out to be a bit difficult to explain as the Australian rules may differ slightly from the Kenyan ones but never have we given up! The most important is that they get to be active and that we give them some new and exciting games to play, which I believe we have done. And not to forget, WE have learnt a lot from them as well.
When not working at the schools we have still managed to be pretty busy. On the second weekend we had a guided tour in Mombasa which was very interesting. We also went to the local pubs/clubs in the evening together with Karen, the manager of the place we are staying at, and her cousins and had a typical “Kenyan night”. These people sure knows how to party! I woke up around seven the next morning to go for a run on the beach – the people were still partying next to the pool! Not my style but it was interesting to see at least. I thought Australians were bad!
The weekend after we went on a two-night-three-day safari at Tsavo East. We saw so much; elephants, lions, birds, giraffes, buffalo, impalas… the list goes on forever. It was one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced. By the time we got back on Sunday it was time for…AUSTRALIA DAY. We organised a BBQ with the typical things; corn on the cob, sausages, bread rolls, salads, potato and lots of fruit. We invited the LSO team and it turned out to be a great night with lots of cheering and laughter.
The week that we are at is our third week. As I mentioned earlier, seeing the kids waving and smiling when we drive into the school yards makes my day. I have also noticed the children are more comfortable around us and not as shy as they were in the beginning which is great to see. I hope they continue to behave as good as they are when we are away as well.
Last weekend is on our fingertips. Today we visited a local village and got to go in to the chiefs bedrooms(!!). Apparantly he had two wifes and therefore his house needed two bedrooms, one per wife, where he spent three days with each and Sunday was a day “to be single”. Very interesting religion. For the afternoon we prepared ourselves with a massive lunch and then headed to the mines where future LSO coaches are trained. It was time for some competition but man, I think we underestimated them… Three legged race, spoon race, pick the object, tug of war and sack race. We won 2 and they won 3 which means they got the trophy. But hey,we had loads of fun and plenty of exercise and that’s what matters.
Tomorrow we are heading out for some snorkeling and Sunday will be a day to relax. Next week is out last week at the school and I will be so sad to go but I also know that I will be back in the future. I hope the children and LSO have appreciated this experience as much as me and the other volunteers have. It has been amazing and I wish I didn’t have to leave…
Johanna
Global Short Programs Student
