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!! =)

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.

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!

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. =)

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)