Tuesday, July 13, 2010

updates.

hey all!

thanks for sending in all of your reflection forms! will send them to mercy relief together with other documents.

thanks programs for sending in your activity details to me promptly. i have sent them to my friend, li xian.

to make things clearer and some update about local CIP:
i am unable to get hold of Ms Rose Kwek from Mindsville. decided to go through my friend, li xian instead. she is in the main comm for all volunteer programs for MINDS. the volunteer program in-charge for children's wing is samantha. li xian will help to liaise and coordinate our local CIP stuff with me and samantha.

unfortunately, li xian is currently overseas now. will be back on 18th July to help us settle the local CIP asap.

will keep you all updated again. thanks all for your patience and cooperation.




Monday, June 28, 2010

Reflection!

Hey all!

I hope everyone is doing fine! =)

Time to do some reflection! Please check your email! I have sent Participants' Reflection Form to all of you.

It's COMPULSORY ya! everyone must do.
Please submit HARD COPY to us during our LOCAL CIP.
We are still waiting confirmation from MINDsville regarding time/date. Tentative: 10th July, 9am.

Please keep a lookout for confirmed details.

PROGRAMS, get ready for activity planning!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Some last reminders

Passport
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT!!! SUPER IMPORTANT!!

Weather
HCM is way hotter than Singapore. Upon checking today, it's a sweltering 33 deg C!
So, do take care of your skin.

Other than the sunblock, do also stock up on modestly-covered attire (no singlets/shorts. Pants should be below the knees) and covered shoes are considered casual yet respectable. Remember that when you are there, you will be representing not your institutions nor respective organizations, but Singapore and Singaporeans.. so just remind each other to be mindful at all times of your decorum and always be culturally sensitive!

Currency Exchange
Finances-wise.. remember to ask a receipt for everything project-related that you purchase in Vietnam. Some shops may not readily have receipts, so it'd be a good idea to bring along some blank receipts just in case. Please also keep the Forex receipt/slip that you'll receive when you change your currency. All these documentation is vital when doing your SOA and claiming your YEP budget when you return.

Currency Exchange and Emergency Backup Money

Just to clarify the doubts of currency exchange if you worry about exchanging too much Vietnam Dongs. You may convert $380, the amount that is estimated for your accomodation, food, transport, and R&R museum and cu chi trip. The remaining $80 money and shopping money is for your own extra expenses. If you are only using these extra amount during the R&R days, you will have a chance to exchange in distrinct 1 on the 10th day itself.

**The emergency backup money will be pass to you before your flight at the airport. This money is not for you to use, unless you fall sick in Vietnam. So hopefully, you will bring this money back to Singapore.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Addresses and contact numbers

Hi people,

please take note of the following addresses and contact numbers:

1) Phu My Orphanage

Address: 153 XO VIET NGHE TINH STR
BINH THANH DISTRICT
HO CHI MINH CITY

Tel: 08.8996563/8993738


2) PHUONG CHAU Hotel

Address:
141 Nguyen Cuu Van Street, Ward 17, Binh Thanh District

Tel:
(08) 3899 6225

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Last Lap before the trip

This is the last lap before our actual trip to Vietnam. Lets jiayou!

Last Meeting
Day/Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010
Time: 5pm
Venue: Botanic Garden
* Meet at Tanglin Gate (entrance of Botanice Gardens) @ 4.45pm.

Agenda: Emergency Evacuation (very important for YEP), Final Instructions and preparation, Q&A Session

How to help for the last lap?
Come down at 2pm on this saturday before the actual meeting to help up the programme comm to do up the props for our activities in Phu My Orphanage. Bring along scissors to help do the cutting! We need manpower (womanpower too)! If you cannot make it at 2pm, any time earlier to help out will be appreciated too. Please sms Jiahao if you can help out on the day.

What to bring? (**** VERY IMPORTANT**** )
1. Money that you have collected through the selling of fundraising items
2. Cash donations you have gotten
3. Receipt for your medication checkup&vaccinations (if not, we can't reimburse you after the trip)
4. Other receipts for $ incurred in fundraising
5. 3 pieces of passport photocopies
6. Completed YEP Declaration form that will be sent to you by Fri (ignore the medical portion)
7. $47 for insurance 

To Choo Min and Xinyi: Please bring along all medical items that you have bought from NUH. I have bought a few more stuffs from Unity Pharmacy. Let's compile and pack everything. I realized there are some things that are essential (in a first aid box) that you girls have not bought so eventually I bought one complete first aid kit ($25+). Please bring along any sling bag that can serve as our second first aid box.

We seriously hope for everyone's co-operation. A delay in an individual's submission will drag the procession of the documents for the entire team. So pleassssee...bring~~ alrighty? Thank you!!

I know sometimes it can be quite last min. My apologies for that. But, instead of questioning and doubting, let's really do it together, fast and efficient. Thank you very much for your co-operation.

We will have a FUN session and it is an important session too. Cya!! =)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Flight Details for Vietnam Trip

Hi All,

The flight details are as follows:

Singapore to HCMC*
Date: 14 June 2010, Monday
Flight number: TR 2322
Time: 1240 hrs
Reach HCMC: 1355 hrs
To check in by: 1040 hrs
To meet at budget terminal at: 1030 hrs

*Melinda, please confirm time to meet with Connie separately for flight to HCMC.

HCMC to Singapore
Date: 24 June 2010, Thursday
Flight number: TR 2323
Time: 1450 hrs
Reach Singapore: 1750 hrs
To check in by: 1250 hrs

Everyone is entitled to check-in 15kg. Hand carry at 7kg.

Programming Committee, please let us know in advance if you require additional baggage allowance for the programming materials to bring to HCMC.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Upcoming meetings for last week

Last Pre-trip Meetings

Meeting 1
Day/Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010
Time: 7pm
Venue: Mercy Relief

Agenda: Learn Vietnamese
Note: We are conducting only 1 lesson, so please try to come down. Any burning questions or phrases you would like to learn, you can compile and send it to phumy email beforehand so that our teacher can have time to prepare. Get ready your pen and paper to take down notes.

Meeting 2
Day/Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010
Time: 5pm
Venue: Botanic Garden

Agenda: Emergency Evacuation (very important for YEP), Final Instructions and preparation, Q&A Session

Both of these sessions are catered to prepare for your trip in Vietnam. Please do try your very very best to attend them as the best preparation can ease a lot of trouble and worries during the trip. Cya!



Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Vietnam Dos & Don'ts!

Dos & Don'ts in Vietnam (IMPORTANT!)

In the orphanage...

- Do not wander off without anyone's knowledge. If you really have to leave the orphanage, do let your buddy and us know.

- Let's strive to give every child equal attention and treatment. Children who are cute and attention-seeking tend to attract more attention. Let's not leave any child out okie?

- Avoid giving gifts to individual children, especially candies. Sweets aren't healthy for the gum and teeth. If we want to give gifts, let's give as a YEP group and to every child. We have to let the Sister in the orphanage know as well to see if the gifts are appropriate for the children. =)

- Let's strive to have minimal physical contact with the children. Some of the children, including older ones may not be aware of social boundaries or norms. Please alert us or the caregivers if they get too touchy.


Generally...

- Do not wander off without anyone's knowledge. If you really have to leave for somewhere, do let your buddy and us know.

- Be alert and aware of your surroundings.

- Take good care of one's passport and valuables. Do try to keep cash in different areas. Have your passport on you at all times. Do try to keep your passport in your pocket if possible.
Petty theft, pickpocketing and motorbike snatch thieves are prevalent.

- Dress appropriately: sleeved tees, berms/pants. NO mini skirts/shorts/spags etc...
Vietnamese are conservative in their dressing. Let's respect them and not offend the local people.

- Do not be too loud. Vietnamese treasure peace and tranquility. They are not confrontational when it comes to expressing their wishes. I know sometimes we tend to get very excited when we are overseas but let's be mindful of our conduct. =) (but no need to whisper when we talk lah...)

- Ask for permission when we take photographs of someone. If they do not want you to, abide by their wishes.

- Guys, please do your utmost to protect the girls. haha.


Medical Concerns

- Drink plenty of water. Weather will be hot. Let's stick to bottled water and avoid ice, especially if we have a weak stomach. It was advised that tap water should be well-boiled before drinking. Ice may not be "clean" as well.

- Bring your own medications and prescription drugs.
You may like to prepare the following (Please consult your doctor):

o Paracetamol
Painkiller, should know the dosage amount

o Antacid
Neurtralize stomach acid due to indigestion, upset stomach, heartburn

o Anti-histamines
Help to stop allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose. If you know of your own allergy, it is better to get it from your doctor.

o Lomotil
Used to treat diarrhea.


- Take note of your buddy's medical history and allergies (to certain medications/food etc...)

- When we consume food, it should be well-cooked.

- Avoid unpasteurised milk. Be wary of non-sealed dairy products (e.g. homemade ice cream).
Err on the side of caution; if you are unsure, avoid.

- It is important to report any injuries or unwell condition. A simple cut or abrasion in exposed parts of the body can quickly get infected if untreated .

- Although Saigon has no malaria risk, it is advisable to get insect repellent that has 15-35% DEET to reduce mosquito bites.

- Those with asthma please bring along more than 1 inhaler and keep them at your side.


Let's really take good care of ourselves, our buddy and each other when we are in Vietnam. Do get to know more about your buddy as well. Please alert us when something is amiss ya. =)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

5 more meetings to go!

Movers, be prepared. 
We have 5 more meetings to go because we meet one another at Changi Airport on the 14th.

1st meeting of the coming week: 

Day/Date: Wed, 2/6/2010
Time: 7pm
Venue: NLB, outside cafe Han's

Agenda:
a) Admin:
- Submission of all cash donation from friends and family as well as money collected from selling tee shirts
- Submission of volunteer registration form (completed) + receipts for all vaccinations and consultation
- Collection of tee shirts (reserved for any friends/family)
- Collection of YEP journal (for those who do not have)

b) Discussion on hopes and fears

c) Risk Assessment

d) Purchase of insurance


2nd meeting of the coming week:

Day/Date: Weekend (Either Sat or Sun)
Time: TBC
Venue: TBC

Agenda:

(to be updated when near to date)

Pre-Trip Local Service & Learning @ MINDSville
















Thank you everyone! 
You guys make such a great team:)

Many many thanks to especially the PROGRAMMING team for coming up with all the activities...
and the rest of team who have come down all the way from home and other places to support our pre trip event. 
:) 

We have 2 more weeks to our actual trip. 
A LOT to be accomplished before we set off...
I know it can be a bit tedious and tiring at times.
But people, 
let's give our all~ 
Obstacles may arise and they will always surface when we wanna achieve victory. 
So, let's fight till the end.

The day we return to Singapore after 11 days in Vietnam, 
I am sure everyone will be grinning from ear to ear. 

Let's move hearts, 
everyone's.

Earnings for fundraising @ Mardi Gras (TJC)

Hi peeps, 

I am here to report our earnings (not profit) for our second fundraising event..

it's $620.50:)


Yay!



Sunday, May 23, 2010

BUSY BUSY!

WOnderfUL, people!
Once again, a very very big thank you for those who have turned up for our first fundraising event yesterday. 

The whole team appreciates:
a) Shuyi, for designing all the posters and making of lanyards for sale, most importantly, for being a silly girl and making everyone laugh whole day.
b) Henry, for driving all the way to our supplier's place to get our tee shirts for us and bringing them back home after the event
c) Ting, for driving down early in the morning to hand over her books for us to sell. 
d) Cheryl, for helping the team make so many balloon sculptures in such a short period of time
e) Choo Min, for making lanyards and tasty chocolate biscuits
f) Connie, for being around at the booth the whole day, helping us keep our money safe:)
g) Meixin, for taking the initiative to help us pump air into the balloons (*we know it's not easy*)
h) Xinyi, for rushing down and constantly promoting our project to people who passed by our booth.
i) Maurice, for taking the initiative to "pull" customers to our booth  despite the hot and humid weather
j) The rest of the team who couldn't make it for the event, yet never failed to ask about the outcome of the fundraising event. 
k) Jiahao, Tammie and me!

Really appreciate everyone! Let's keep it going:)
*Connie will update us further on the amount of money that we have raised for yesterday. 

Now, are you ready for our upcoming tasks and activities?

1) Tuesday (25/5/2010)

Activity: Mass Meeting 
Venue: NLB, outside cafe HAN's
Time: 7pm (Try to reach on time, k?)

Agenda:
a) Admin stuffs
- Volunteer registration forms
- Submission of receipts to Finance
- Submission of collection of cash donation and other additional money earned from selling fundraising items
- Medical concerns
- Sponsorship updates to Finance

b) Sub committee discussion

c) Fundraising
- Reflection on Fundraising at Jubi Flea
- Alternative ways to sell tee shirts
- Upcoming Sale at TJC 
- Our profits

(*To be conducted by Marketing Team and Finance Team)

d) Programmes for local service at MINDSVILLE 
- What to do on that day?
- How to go about conducting the activities?
- Things to take note?
 - Materials needed?
- Possible risks?
- Scenarios management?

(*To be conducted by Programme Team*)

e) Things to be done (details TBC)


2) Thursday (27/5/2010)

Activity: 2nd Fundraising event
Venue: TJC
Time: Meet at 5:00pm (Bedok Train Station)


3) Saturday (29/5/2010) 

Activity: Local Service & Learning
Venue: MINDSVILLE, Children's Wing
Time: Meet at 8:00 am (Ang Mo Kio Train Station)


That's all for now:)
We have 3 weeks left~~

- Qiuyi -

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

marketing meeting on 11/5

Marketing Committee Minutes
(11 May 2010)
Selling of T-shirts
• Printing about 100-150 pieces
• 2 different designs of T-shirts
• Both T-shirts will have the same message
• Price of each T-shirt: 1 for $15, 2 for $25. If not sellable, maybe cut down to 1 for $12
Selling of postcards
• Cost price of each postcard is about $0.30
• Printing 4 different designs
• Price of each post card: 1 for $1. If buy in packet of 4 different design: $3
Selling of food
• Only to be done at the locations that do not require a permit
• Purchase brownies, cakes, cookies from factories and sell
• An alternative would be to bake ourselves (might be much cheaper)
*This idea was initially cancelled due to many restrictions but the committee will come together again to how we can maximize our profits.
Fundraising locations
1. West Coast Plaza, 22nd and 23rd May
2. Temasek Junior College, 27th May
3. Republic Poly (date TBC)
4. Tampines Junior College (date TBC)
*All timings to be confirmed ASAP by Morris.
New ideas for this meeting
• Allow public to write their personal messages on heart-shaped paper to dedicate a message to the children in Vietnam, together with a personal choice of donation amount. To be done at fundraising locations.
• Collect newspapers and sell to Garang Gunis. Will obtain permission from Community Centers as collection area and decide the dates, timing and location for collection and distribute flyers ASAP.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Next Meeting

Hi people,

please take note:)

Mass Meeting:

20 May - 7pm (NLB, outside cafe Han's)

What to prepare for this meeting?

a) Feedback session

b) Marketing peeps, please get ready for the stuffs to share with the team.
We will be selling tee shirts, postcards, messages this coming Sat (outside Cineleisure, 11am-10pm).

Who to bring what?
- Who will collect the tee shirts? Who is going to bring the tee shirts there?
- Tammie : Plastic sheets (250pieces)
- Qiuyi & Shuyi : Postcards, Posters, enlarged photos to decorate our booth
- Maurice : Heart-shaped cards and A2 size board (keep the receipt from popular*ok?:)
- Can somebody bring a table cloth? A very big one.
- An empty shoe box to put our cash
- Some tools to make sound? Clappers? Shaker? Yakut cans with green beans? Hee.
- Anybody has body art paint? We can paint our logo on our limbs and face (if you want*)

c) We need everyone's co-operation to fill in the roster. Will be bringing a printed roster. Please prepare and organize your schedule well so that you can fill your name in:)

d) Details about MINDSVILLE
- Brainstorm on what activity to conduct

e) Submit registration form. VERY IMPT*!

f) Tee Shirt qty

g) Letter to Myself. Please submit for those who have not submitted

h) Submission of receipts to Finance
____________________________________________

Programming + Logistics Meeting
(*People, it's your turn now:)

Date: 23 May 2010
Time: TBC during mass meeting
Venue: NLB (Outside Cafe Han's)

We need to think of :
a) how to carry out local service at MINDSVILLE?
b) What are the materials to purchase?
c) Organize activities to be carried out in orphanage.
d) Who to share what during next mass meeting (25/5/2010)

Can everyone please turn up for the next mass meeting?
I don't want any first encounter to occur at the airport. Faintz~






FUNDRAISING ROSTER

Hey all.
 Fundraising roster is finally out!  Pls indicate accordingly.   Pls note that some events are still pending confirmation. But treat it as it's being confirmed and indicate if you are able to make it anyway.  For Karang Guni, we would like to have as many people as possible. The more the merrier! =)  Pls indicate by 19 MAY (THURS)!! We need to know who are able to make it!! for our planning purposes! First event is on 22 May!  Thank you all in advance!   Love, Tam

*For those without a gmail a/c, we will prepare the doc for you to fill up your available slots on Thur during Mass Meeting:)

NO ANTI H1N1 JAB

Hi people,

after attending the YEP training, we are informed that it's not preferable for participants to take anti H1N1 jab due to various side effects surfacing from past experience.

PLEASE TAKE NORMAL FLU JAB INSTEAD!

THANK YOU.



Qiuyi

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Tuesday 11/5

Hey people, sorry for the late update.

let me briefly tell u what we have done on tuesday meeting ^^

1) Self introduction

2) Sharing of YEP objectives(can be found on earlier post)

3) Explaination on YEP (can be found on earlier post)
- Objective of Pre-Trip( visiting same kind of beneficiaries)
a) team bonding
b) mental preparation
- Objective of Post Trip
a) to apply what we have learnt in vietnam
b) self reflection

4) Split into groups discussion

5)Marketing Committee Minutes

Selling of T-shirts
• Printing about 100-150 pieces
• 2 different designs of T-shirts
• Both T-shirts will have the same message
• Price of each T-shirt: 1 for $15, 2 for $25. If not sellable, maybe cut down to 1 for $12
Selling of postcards
• Cost price of each postcard is about $0.30
• Printing 4 different designs
• Price of each post card: 1 for $1. If buy in packet of 4 different design: $3
Selling of food
• Only to be done at the locations that do not require a permit
• Purchase brownies, cakes, cookies from factories and sell
• An alternative would be to bake ourselves (might be much cheaper)
*This idea was initially cancelled due to many restrictions but the committee will come together again to how we can maximize our profits.
Fundraising locations
1. West Coast Plaza, 22nd and 23rd May
2. Temasek Junior College, 27th May
3. Republic Poly (date TBC)
4. Tampines Junior College (date TBC)
*All timings to be confirmed ASAP by Morris.
New ideas for this meeting
• Allow public to write their personal messages on heart-shaped paper to dedicate a message to the children in Vietnam, together with a personal choice of donation amount. To be done at fundraising locations.
• Collect newspapers and sell to Garang Gunis. Will obtain permission from Community Centers as collection area and decide the dates, timing and location for collection and distribute flyers ASAP.

6) Programming Minutes
- half day for the physically abled, to train up their movements
- second half to interact with those physically disabled people and bed ridden
Games
for the abled people
1) pass the parcel which is being wrap with 7 layers of paper then tear them apart when the music stop
2) paper areoplane, fold and throw over the line (score board, win big sticker lose small sticker)
3) basketball (throw the balls into basket)
4) soccer ( kick balls into the goal post(cardbox)
5) can throwing (make all the cans drop)
6) Smelling activities ---> cotton buds soak with different smell in different cans then match the can and smell together


for those physically disabled
1) textile activies---> let them touch the animal shape and the fell
- create books and can be a gift for them
2) Smelling activities ---> cotton buds soak with different smell in different cans
3) sing song ( yellow butterfly song in vietnamese)
4) Animal Song or Sound etc Old Macdonald (need translation)
5) Number counting --> count 1 to 10 using fingers, objects
- big dice then count togehter the number of dots on the dice
6) big flash cards --> to find a pair ( learn how to match objects)
*7) give worksheets for them to link them up
*8) donkey game --> hold a pile of cards change with the person beside them then if pair throw out, loser is left with only donkey card
*9) Simple instrument game --> teach them to shake, or simple rhythm
- made up of different materials --> plastic bottles, vitagen, toilet rolls, cans
* no7 to 9 is only applicable if there enough time *


Appreciation for the Caregivers
1) Sing with the kids with simple actions together with us --> simple instrument for the kids for them to shake while we sing
- need rehersals
2) buy cookies from the bakery shop over there
3) make handicraft
4) presenting children handicraft for them and sing

7) Finance --> send emails and calls for sponsorships( waiting for response)
--> Air tickets money collections
--> vietnam Products money collections


Yup, Thats all ^^

* reminder for those who haven submit your letters please kindly do it by the next meeting and also the application form and also money payment. *

Passport details needed for booking of air tickets

Hi Everyone,

We need your help to book air tickets. I have 8 people's passport details as of 9.30pm, 15 May 2010.

Please send me either a scanned copy/ a picture of your passport (the page with all your particulars) or your passport details latest by Sunday 16 May 10.

Details required for booking of air tickets from Tiger Airways:
1) Title: (Miss/Mr/Mdm etc)
2) Family Name:
3) Given Name:
4) Date of Birth:
5) Place of issuance of passport:
6) Passport Number:
7) Expiry Date:
Do note that the info provided has to be exactly the same as per your passport, if not, you might be prevented from boarding the plane for small mistakes e.g. name on passport: Meixin, name on boarding pass: Mei Xin.

We know that the deadline is abit tight, but we need to confirm the air tickets ASAP to take advantage of the promotion by Tiger Airways (original price of air tickets approx 250, promotion price approx 170, savings approx 80 – if we choose the cheapest option AND book the tickets latest by 19 May 10 ). Cheapest price for Jetstar to go Vietnam is approx. $230 as of 12 midnight yesterday (price difference approx. $60)

Please check if the expiry date of your passport is 1 January 2011 or later, if not kindly inform me and get your passport renewed ASAP. Renewal of passport can be done by post / online ($60 for renewal by post / online) or through the counter at ICA ($70 for renewal at counter) and the minimum processing time is about a week. For more details on passport renewal, please click on the link: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=125

Thanks for your help and let’s work towards our aim of spreading cheer and joy to the kids in Phu My and other orphanages! ^^

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Cash donation

Any cash donation from family and friends, please submit the money to Finance (Connie and Meixin) asap:)

Please use the letter sent to us by Qiuyi to ask for donations. Thank you guys!