Student comments 2008/學生感受2008

The visit to Baiwan has always turned out to be an extremely rewarding experience for IS students. The following are some comments written by Group 2008 at the end of the trip.

探訪白灣對港島中學的學生探訪團經常是一個寶貴的經驗。以下是二零零八年學生團在離開白灣後，寫下的部份感受。

探访白湾对港岛中学的学生探访团经常是一个宝贵的经验。以下是二零零八年学生团在离开白湾后，写下的部份感受。

We went to a class that night where students around our age were studying or doing homework. They clapped as we entered the room. During that time each student approached me with a big smile on their face; waving hello to me. I cannot speak a word of Chinese but they liked the idea of practising their English on me. We exchanged simple questions such as “what are your hobbies” or “where are you from” or “what is your favourite subject”. I also noticed their surprised faces when I told them I was from India – one student seemed confused about how an Indian came to be in Hong Kong.

那一晚我們去了一個課室，裏面的學生和我們年齡相若，他們正在温習或做功課。當我們進入房間時他們都鼓掌歡迎。在此期間，每個走近我的學生都滿面笑容，並揮手向我打招呼。我不會講一句中文，但他們喜歡用我來練習英語。我們互相提問簡單的問題，如「你有什麼愛好 」 或 「你是哪裡人」 或 「 你最喜愛什麼科目 」。當我告訴他們我是來自印度時，他們都十分驚訝 ─ 一個學生似乎因一個印度人為何會來到香港而感到困惑。

那一晚我们去了一个课室,里面的学生和我们年龄相若,他们正在温习或做功课。当我们进入房间时他们都鼓掌欢迎。在此期间,每个走近我的学生都满面笑容, 并 挥手向我打招呼。我不会讲一句中文,但他们喜欢用我来练习英语。我们互相提问简单的问题,如「你有什么爱好」或「你是哪里人」或「你最喜爱什么科目」。当我告诉他们我是来自印度时,他们都十分惊讶 ─ 一个学生似乎因一个印度人为何会来到香港而感到困惑。

Apart from the features of the village, the living conditions that I personally faced shocked me. The scruffy toilets, cold showers, hard beds, lack of air-conditioner, stampedes of flies, and long treks have all contributed to my experience and altered my viewpoint of the world. What strikes me greatly is the fact that many Baiwan children still look happy, even though my shocking living conditions are probably a lot better than what they have. This leads me to wonder how Baiwan children would feel had they been given the chance to experience a modern lifestyle of luxury. Although this may be controversial, I believe the majority of Baiwan children would cry with joy if given this chance….

除了村莊的外表，我面對的生活條件都使我震驚。破舊的廁所，冷水浴，硬板床，沒有空調的環境，蒼蠅處處，和長途步行都增進了我的經驗和改變了我的世界觀。儘管白灣兒童所擁有的居住條件比我那個嚇人的環境更差，可是他們看起來仍是那麼快樂；這一點對我最震撼。我想知道如果白灣兒童有機會體驗到現代奢侈的生活方式時會有什麼感覺。雖然這可能是有爭議性，但我相信如果有這個機會，大多數白灣的孩子會喜極而泣 …

除了村庄的外表，我面对的生活条件都使我震惊。破旧的厕所，冷水浴，硬板床，没有空调的环境，苍蝇处处，和长途步行都增进了我的经验和改变了我的世界观。尽管白湾儿童所拥有的居住条件比我那个吓人的环境更差，可是他们看起来仍是那么快乐；这一点对我最震撼。我想知道如果白湾儿童有机会体验到现代奢侈的生活方式时会有什么感觉。虽然这可能是有争议性，但我相信如果有这个机会，大多数白湾的孩子会喜极而泣..

When I first arrived in Baiwan I was stunned by what I saw. The houses were breaking apart, the clothes of the children were tearing and the streets stank of a mix of gruesome smells. I’ve never been so close to poverty and yet I’ve had the most amazing experience there. This empty, isolated village has filled my heart with love that I’ve never experienced before.

我剛到白灣時所看到的令我十分震驚。破裂的房屋，孩子破爛的衣服和散發各種可怕氣味的街道。我從來沒有如此接近貧窮，可是這裡給予我最美妙的經驗。這一無所有又孤立的村莊，以前所未有的愛填滿我的心。

我刚到白湾时所看到的令我十分震惊。破裂的房屋，孩子破烂的衣服和散发各种可怕气味的街道。我从来没有如此接近贫穷，可是这里给予我最美妙的经验。这一无所有又孤立的村庄，以前所未有的爱填满我的心。

One of the most memorable experience s was during the village walk where an old lady living with her two granddaughters invited us into her house and offered us corn congee. It really struck me as I see how the friendly villagers are willing to share with others despite the fact that they have very little. She is one of the most generous people I have ever met.

其中最令人難忘的經驗是在村莊散步時遇到和她兩個孫女同住的老太太，她邀請我們到她家，並請我們吃玉米粥。這真的很讓我吃驚，因為我見到村民是何等友善，儘管他們擁有很少，都願意與其他人分享。她是我遇過最慷慨的人。

其中最令人难忘的经验是在村庄散步时遇到和她两个孙女同住的老太太，她邀请我们到她家，并请我们吃玉米粥。这真的很让我吃惊，因为我见到村民是何等友善，尽管他们拥有很少，都愿意与其他人分享。她是我遇过最慷慨的人。

My friends’ comments came NOWHERE close to describing the experience, especially about the immense feeling of satisfaction when that last, stubborn kid who won’t talk actually gets up and participates, or when the class you’re teaching really commits what you’ve been teaching to heart. Nor were my friends able to relay that almost indescribable feeling when you turn your back on a school you’ve been teaching at for the last time, turn your back on those welcoming, smiling children, wondering if your lives will ever cross paths again. “Grief” doesn’t quite cover it, “sad” is simply too simple, but that feeling I got is an imperfect reflection of both words put together.

朋友的評論遠遠不足以描述我的經驗，特別是最後當那倔強的、不願說話的孩子站起來參與時，所獲得的巨大滿足感；或當你所教的那一班衷心投入課堂的活動時。我的朋友亦不能夠把那幾乎難以形容的感覺詮釋，當你最後一次轉身離開那所教過的學校，離開那批友善的，笑容滿面的孩子，不知道你們的生命會否再次重遇。悲痛不完全達意，可悲卻 過於簡單，但我這種感覺不完美地體現了這兩個詞放在一起的情懷。

朋友的评论远远不足以描述我的经验，特别是最后当那倔强的、不愿说话的孩子站起来参与时，所获得的巨大满足感；或当你所教的那一班衷心投入课堂的活动时。我的朋友亦不能够把那几乎难以形容的感觉诠释，当你最后一次转身离开那所教过的学校，离开那批友善的，笑容满面的孩子，不知道你们的生命会否再次重遇。悲痛不完全达意，可悲却过于简单，但我这种感觉不完美地体现了这两个词放在一起的情怀。