Visits of Teachers’ Houses
The opportunity to visit the teachers’ houses gave us a rough idea of their living conditions as well as their life stories and how they started teaching in the village. Our team was split up into 2 groups, with 1 group visiting the teachers’ houses near where we stayed, and the other group visiting the houses behind the school compound. Both sides had different stories to tell, but the sentiments we felt when we entered their house were the same - the strong passion the teachers had for teaching, as well as their warm welcome to us for volunteering at their village. 
When we reached the teacher’s house, they offered us a seat on the mat and brought out bananas and green tea to share.
It was interesting to have this opportunity to exchange questions we had about each other’s country. We found out a lot about Vietnam and Gia Bac Village that night. Many of the stories we heard were very motivational. One of the stories that struck us the most was the progress that the school and the village had made through the years. Just 4 years ago, there was no electricity in the village and schooling was not compulsory for the children. Then, the government stepped in to sponsor the school with books and infrastructure so as to provide the children with education to alleviate poverty. Now, nearly all the children in the village attend school, and a few of them have even managed to secure scholarships for further their education in the nearby town. What was most inspiring was that some of the students actually returned to the village as teachers to help provide the best education they can for the future generations.
It was really touching because in Singapore, many of us take our education for granted. We do not have to fight for our education because the government makes it compulsory for us to attend school. Progressing up the education level comes very easily to us. Therefore, we were very inspired by their passion for learning and giving back to the village.
After that night, our passion for learning and teaching grew. I believe all of us want to return to Gia Bac School to continue giving them what we have learnt in Singapore, and at the same time continue learning from them.
Written by: Jesslyn and Zi Rong
