It's a blessing to be able to help others. We, the members of 21 Issues Class, fortunately had that blessing. On Saturday, the eighth day of February, we visited 2 orphanages and 3 old people's home.
Of course, nothing can be done without preparation. Getting the donation is an first essential step. The process started at the beginning of term 2, which was about November. We had small calls instead of one big call. Firstly, we called for money donation competition between houses. The rule was donating for the LOSING house. So, with the aggressive competitive nature, members of houses donated a lot to the house they hated. It was a slightly evil plan, but for greater purposes. The second call was for food, for example, canned food.
After getting donation, we needed to contact the local organization. We contacted some places and asked for some helps (especially from Ms. Van Anh). Finally, we ended up with a list of 5 places.
8:00 AM, Saturday, 8 February 2015, I arrived at school. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson had already been there with some students. We started loading food on the waiting school bus. I hated morning hard work, but it was for greater purposes.
We drove to the first Orphanage on Hai Ba Trung Street - Thao Dan Orphanage. The kids were really friendly. They were probably used to visits like this. We sang, danced, and played games. In the second orphanage, we had a chance to see the kids' sleeping place. The twisting stair leading to sleeping place had very high steps. I wondered how little kids could use it. Probably they had to. There were hard metal beds with only wooden mats covering and some pillows. The kids had to get used to that harsh conditions, too. I felt lucky...
We then visited one old women's house, if her house can be classified as "a house". There was no door or wall. Sticks were held to stand the tole cover. I couldn't fit the "house": it was about 1m50 high. There was a small TV, and some fundamental pieces of equipment.
Then we visited other houses, but I didn't went inside because the houses were too small. It wasn't necessary, either.
After the visit, something inside me changed, something small and subtle. Without know what it is, I know it was there...
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