Go Vap Orphanage Visit June 2018

Go Vap Orphanage Visit June 2018 Early on Saturday the 16th of June, 19 students across different year groups and 3 teachers had yet another unforgettable experience at Ky Quang Pagoda. Greeted with warmth, we planned engaging, fun activities with the children including our first-ever dance and singing performance as well as games, cuddling and arts and crafts.

Early on Saturday the 16th of June, 19 students across different year groups and 3 teachers had yet another unforgettable experience at Ky Quang Pagoda. Greeted with warmth, we planned engaging, fun activities with the children including our first-ever dance and singing performance as well as games, cuddling and arts and crafts.

During this term’s visit, we introduced a new approach to our Go Vap Orphanage trip by performing a music and dance session for all of the children. We sung multiple children's songs with Victoria accompanying on guitar and later on danced to ‘We’re All in This Together’ from High School Musical. It was a fantastic experience as some children joined us to dance on stage. We decided to host this performance for the first time as we wanted to run an activity to engage children both with and without disabilities: music and dance is a unifying way of doing so.

After the performance, we split into 2 teams: cuddling and interacting with the children who are unable to walk or talk on the first floor and playing outdoor activities and doing arts and crafts with the older ones on the top floor football area. The pagoda has recently opened a kid’s play area with rides, slides and space to run around.  Time was limited but each and every moment was filled with laughter and fun. As two short hours passed, farewells came in a flash and as a surprise to all of us. The smiles on their face are pinned tightly in our memories and hearts as we exchanged our final hugs and waved our goodbyes.

I’ve recently joined the Community Committee hoping to inspire change in the community around us. Going on the Go Vap trip was one of the best experiences to widen my perspective. The children and caretakers were the most caring and sweet people, the only things I could describe is joyful and lively. The whole experience was humbling and I recommend students across all year groups to participate. - Crystal Tram Lam, Member of Community Committee.

The student-led Community Committee organises the  Go Vap Orphanage visit every term. Come along and join the fun!

Thu Nguyen, Community Committee-Vice Chair and Julia Aafjes, Community Committee