Learning outcomes achieved while doing the
activity over a period of time:
1) [ ] Increased their
awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth
2) [√] Undertaken new challenges
3) [ ] Planned and initiated activities
4) [ ] Work collaboratively with others
5) [√] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
6) [√] Engaged with issues of global importance
7) [ ] Considered the
ethical implications of their actions
8) [ ] Developed new skills
I wrote reflective diary every day after coming back to the center. Unfortunately, I can show only two of them. My laptop which had the entire diary was crashed and I could not get some of them back. Following is the account of what happened on 26th and 29th plus what I have learned.
26_Dec_2011 14:00~17:00
I met Ms. Namsuk Kang who was in charge of service. she was surprised to see that I was just a high school student. (she thought I would be an university student when I sent her mail while I was in India before vacation began) she said that the service work was usually done by university students. But fortunately I was allowed to work with a class with students from 4th to 6th grade elementary students. The existing teacher who was in charge was Ms. Mira Park. There were five students today (some were absent). I was nervous at the same time very excited because I have never worked with handicapped students in my entire life. There were two Down’s Syndrome children; most of the students had mental disabilities rather than physical ones. They had difficulty in expressing their thoughts, some did not know how to count numbers, and they did not know how to control themselves. As soon as I entered the classroom, Ms. Mira introduced me to the student that I am another teacher. Some were busy doing their work and some were listening intently. After the introduction, Ms. Mira took me by the side and introduced the children to me separately. She told me which one was ferocious, which one was lagging behind; and their age. One student called ‘Hyeon-a’ accosted me and asked a number of questions- why I came there, what grade I was in, and the school I went to. Then she held my hand when we had to go downstairs for checking their heights, weights, and blood pressures (they get it checked once a month). I was so thankful. I did not know how to approach them, but she told me many things about the center and answered all questions I asked her (I think she is much more intelligent compared to other students. Probably the brightest student). I tried to memorize names of the students. One student was very sensitive. I tried to talk to her and sat next to her, but she shouted “Go away! Go away!”. I could not do anything but leave her alone. It was a headache to monitor all the students. They ran about here and there. One student; ‘Seong-you’ was notorious for hitting other students, shouting and stealing others’ possessions. Her look was also very scary, and the teacher had to deal with her physically. I could not even get close to her. I was so scared of her.
I had to make sure these students wash their hands clean with soap, brush their teeth and not play with each other and sit quietly when teachers were distributing snacks. Then we went to sports room. Once or twice a week, old ladies (mostly grandmothers) came to the place to have small recreation with the students. We played games. There were various fights between students but everything went well.
I did not know that there were many disabilities existed in the society. But I realized that was because there was none around me and I did not bother to approach them before. I was thankful that I could control myself and learn what is correct and wrong. I realized that, although we complain about many things such as not having enough clothes to wear and food to eat, there are so many things we can thank. We take it for granted that we can walk, talk and think properly. If we just turn a little bit, changing the angle and look at the society, there are so many people in need, so many people who are suffering. I felt so grateful that I volunteered to help them.
29_Dec_2011 12:30~17:00
I wiped the desks and furniture in classes with tower as usual. I could not believe today was the last day to see children and teachers here. I realized I became close to them in very short period of time. A thought that today would be the last day made me work harder and clean the classes whole-heartedly. At 13:20 I was done with cleaning furniture and desks. I was about to clean the floors when Seoung-U entered the classroom with her grandfather. There was no one except me in the class. Ms. Mira did not come yet. Seong-U’s grandfather said that he has to go somewhere quickly that is why he has brought her early. Okay… I do not know how to handle a disability alone, especially someone like Seong-U. I just had been with these children for three days and Ms. Mira was with me most of the time.
Seoung-U asked me whether or not we are going to go to supermarket. When I gave indication that we are not going because we have gone there already, she started groaning and grating her teeth. I suddenly got scared. What if she start shouting or run away? So I told her that I am not very sure, we would ask Ms. Mira as soon as she comes to the class. I tried to talk to her but she seemed to be in her own world. She sang songs I could not understand at all and the next moment, she was frowning and groaning. I just stood there, watching her in case she runs away somewhere or hurts herself.
…
At the end of the day, I did not learn any new skill from the service, but I learned how beautiful a life can be if I just change the way I think. I, and people around me complain about so many things. I complain if everything does not work as I expected them to be. But I have realized I am so privileged and have so many things to thank. Instead of using my time complaining, I can help others and make the world cheerful. I had sacrificed my time travelling on the bus and helping the children out. But I think I have gained something that I would not lose in my entire life. It was such a beautiful experience.
In Korea, service is essential part of education. So government has created a system where all the account of service can be stored and maintained on a webpage http://www.vms.or.kr/ Since I have spent my 7th grade in Korea, I was aware of this system, and the service coordinator in the welfare center had put up the date and the hours I have served. This will be my evidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment