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First impressions of Hanoi and CED

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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3 weeks ago I arrived
in Hanoi. The first impression I had of Vietnam was definitely relating to the
weather. I felt as though being in a tropical house. My thoughts were going
crazy in that moment (“how on earth should I survive here for one year if the
weather was always that hot”, but luckily someone told me that it would get
colder in a few months). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On my first days, I
had kind of an arrival-camp that helped me to deal with the cultural shock.
Slowly, really slowly, I got used to the temperatures. I got used to the tons
of rice that I already ate and which I will have to eat in the future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then I experienced the first rain here in
Hanoi. It was so good! It cooled down the whole city (ok maybe just a little
bit) and was just so refreshing. Back then, when I was still at home, I thought
that it would rain all day in the rain season of Vietnam, but nothing like that
actually happened until now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A few minutes after
the rain had stopped, the sun suddenly came out again and normally I would
really appreciate the sun but here it is excessively hot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now that 3 weeks have
passed by I experienced many sunny days and it was always way too hot, not warm
but really hot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However, let’s skip
back to the time I started working at my new workplace for the next year, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">C</b>enter for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">E</b>ducation and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">D</b>evelopment.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I went out of the house, way too early by the
way because I didn’t wanted to come late on my first day, to head to the bus
station. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was more than happy when I got out of the bus
in the right place and with all parts of my body being safe. I’m just kidding
but the buses here still give me palpitations because everything is so
bustling.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ant6BMoZbk/W58iAsZTP0I/AAAAAAAABi8/ypv_yGigDKA5XrMCNezLnH1S9W_LZNC1ACLcBGAs/s1600/bus_ROHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ant6BMoZbk/W58iAsZTP0I/AAAAAAAABi8/ypv_yGigDKA5XrMCNezLnH1S9W_LZNC1ACLcBGAs/s320/bus_ROHA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/congestion-makes-hanoi-buses-unpopular-choice-61509.html)</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I arrived at the office,
I started with my first tasks including that I had to introduce myself to the
staff. Then I edited a whole bunch of texts that were translated word-by-word
from Vietnamese to English by the staff members. Sometimes this was quiet
challenging but I could always ask for help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the lunch breaks
here we nearly always go downstairs to get some food at a nearby Vietnamese
restaurant (they have the best spring rolls there, I promise!). I generally
like spring rolls as well as rice with any kind of sauce (even tried the famous
fish sauce). The only thing I rarely eat here is meat, because it is so
different from what I am used to at my home country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZtKFt_gCLs/W58kEFX9laI/AAAAAAAABjI/pC-UsQlHgakM4GWWh6bh_UxLGFO7qiBeACLcBGAs/s1600/kotocooking3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="550" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZtKFt_gCLs/W58kEFX9laI/AAAAAAAABjI/pC-UsQlHgakM4GWWh6bh_UxLGFO7qiBeACLcBGAs/s320/kotocooking3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(http://www.easytours24h.com/vietnam-tours/cooking-class-tours/koto-cooking-class-tour.html)</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After the lunch breaks there are three more
hours of work left for me (which I think is quite a long time but when I asked
Thanh, one of the staff members, he told me that he always works until 6pm or
even longer and that kind of shocked me so I will never complain), so one of
the CED staff members asked me to do a research about public spaces and
playgrounds in Hanoi and it was really interesting because I found only a small
amount of playgrounds in this whole area. Some of them were no longer useable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These are things that would normally never occur
to my mind but now that I think about it, I really have to say that this is an
issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My last task in these two weeks of working at
the CED was to have a look at the DQ World program, which has been created for
children to make sure that they use the internet the right way. I really wished
we had something like that in my home country back then because today everyone
uses the internet but too many just don’t know what consequences it can have if
you don’t use it safely. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_rbjNnJaVw/W58kz-TKbII/AAAAAAAABjQ/xTwoTvkFLvQ_ypYVwaBQf9nlWAz_socSwCLcBGAs/s1600/curriculum.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_rbjNnJaVw/W58kz-TKbII/AAAAAAAABjQ/xTwoTvkFLvQ_ypYVwaBQf9nlWAz_socSwCLcBGAs/s320/curriculum.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(https://www.dqworld.net/#!/landing/whatisdqworld)</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">According to this, I am really looking forward to the
next weeks, when I have to go to some local schools to show them the program
and help them with it. This is one of the things I really like about CED; they
really care about the students and their future. They even have collaborations
to give out scholarships for disadvantaged students at universities who cannot
afford their study course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My conclusion is that I really look forward to
the next upcoming months here in Hanoi and, of course, at the Center for
Education and Development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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First impressions of Hanoi and CED

3 weeks ago I arrived in Hanoi. The first impression I had of Vietnam was definitely relating to the weather. I felt as though being in a ...

20:54

A Merali Girl: “Never Gonna Live Like A Minute”

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On July 14th 2017</div>
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Hong Nguyen</div>
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The road that goes to Yen Son village Ba Vi district is narrow, long and steep road. This land where the Dao ethnic minority  group living, has hill, green majestic mountains. There are huge and close clouds which make me feel like I could touch by hands. All the things embracing and protecting the Dao people (a ethnic minority in Vietnam). There are no noisy, no high-rise buildings, no cars as loud as in Ha Noi. Everything is quiet but not sad, people are hospitality, sicere and have gentle smiles. Their language is not words of greetings but beautiful smiles. I like the feeling of relief and peace. The most thing I remembered was radient smile and bright eyes of the children. Finish 5 days in Yen Son, I have undescribable emotions. There are things we must really experience to see the greatness of it. On the other hands, there are small things but we never forget…</div>
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Nguyen Thi Hong is on the left (blue shirt) encouraging the children to talk about the discussion on the first day</div>
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Yen Son was strange inside me at first day. It was warm greetings from Mr Nghia; Tinh, Giap seemed to be confused. We felt a little nervous about the strange look and the embarrassed smile on the children’s faces. But we quickly became more comfortable after some games, chasing words, some three stories, soccer, some fists. We excited, laughed,</div>
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They excited, laughed about each other in the game, did not hesitate to disclose and talked about each other. On this occassion, Yen Son had sisters, brothers and Dao ethnic children. There are also large pavilions, with a special feast of vegetables that can not be tasted twice. An invisible wall was initially broken quickly after a warm smile, friendly fists, small warmed stories about wild sunflowers, traditional medicine of indigenous peoples</div>
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On the second day, we began with cleaning up the cultural area together, sweeping the yard, making weeds and finding recycling supplies for the afternoon activities, work that sounds simple but we have had great time to work together. Each drop of sweat can not remove the bright smile on their lips. A long day with a series of games with painting activities in the afternoon, but what they do more than what we expected, small hands drawn quickly each house, each boat, the buffalo, everything is extremely lively and creative. We had about two days to practice art performance. We divided into three groups and operated independently to perfrom. I were with a friend in charge of the 1st group. Perhaps we were lucky to be incharge of a group which naughty but adored us. We often had to shout the children, but seeing me fell down, all the kids ran out to ask me to make me feel very warm. Actually they are not naughty, just stubborn to get more attention. That day we danced a pretty exciting song. Rhythm swing, they learn very fast, only 1 evening had to hold the long post. A long day, although we were tired, but nothing could prevent the enthusiasm of the efforts of all 10 people.</div>
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On the third day, the morning still began with the cleanup, we were fun because we educated children with awareness of public sanitation. By activities and lectures on life around us,, we teach them to feel life through the five senses that are hard to center on. Today they have heard a day full of interesting and useful things. We seem to know each other better, we shared more, the children were no longer afraid to tell me some stories in class, at home, about friends, and gossip me if anyone bully them. And of course I became a god of justice with boys. Therefore all of them are very obedient and not too stubborn. Such lovely children, I always smile when remembering them.</div>
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On the forth day, also the most meaningful activity day. We got support from local people to make drawings to introducing medicinal leaves to the children so they can understand the culture here. Some stories about getting out of poverty with medicinal plants, thanks to the new medicine which let we know their life is very respectable. In the afternoon, we started with recycling: pigs, watches and racing cars. Every hand is dirty but not afraid to try to complete our work.</div>
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My team did not win any part in the race to reward. The children looked very sad but life is not always perfect and it was also a small race, a lesson of solidarity when the group did not work well. In the evening, we organized arts activities, many local people came to watch, as the children were dressed up beautifully.</div>
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We were not shy anymore, we were dancing together in the music, extremely fun. The most memorable memory for me was the camp fire activity and the villagers goodbye.</div>
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The fire burned brightly, we were holding hands and running around the fire. Under the rain, we were singing the victory song. I have never lived like this for a moment, to be laughed, to be happy, to be companion. I do not know what your feelings are but to me that night was so perfect and wonderful. We were together weaving a part of youth. Look forward to coming back here with such wonderful days.</div>
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Yen Son- See you another day.</div>
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Hong, other friends and the local children made a campfire</div>
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Nguyen Thi Hong (a sophomore majoring in Construction at the National University of Civil Engineering) is one of 40 students who received the Merali scholarship. Hong and 6 other girls joined the 5-day volunteer program in Yen Son village, Ba Vi Commune, Ba Vi District, Hanoi from 1-5 / 7. The event is part of a series of activities within the Merali Scholarship program to build the skills and confidence of the scholars.</div>
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A Merali Girl: “Never Gonna Live Like A Minute”

On July 14th 2017 Hong Nguyen The road that goes to Yen Son village Ba Vi district is narrow, long and steep road. This land where...