| 31 May 2012 |
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A group of 25 students from the Rotaract Club, HKUSU (Session 2012-2013) participated in the project “Magnificent Mongolia 2012” in Mongolia this summer.
From May 31 to June 10, the team was involved in a wide range of social services, including tree planting, an orphanage visit, a visit to children with Down Syndrome, voluntary teaching in local schools and vegetable gardening.
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Jackie Lai (BSocSc(Govt&Laws), Year 3)
「藍天對於香港人來說，太奢侈了。多諷刺，最原始天然的景象偏偏在我們營營役役、霓虹燈下的都市生活中最是遙不可及，是再多幾個『藍天行動』也換不了的感動。」
不能不承認，外蒙古蔚藍可愛的天空確實讓人眼前一亮，加上連綿的綠茵疊翠，成為了我們這班生活在石屎森林的都市人的攝影主調。對香港人來說，最宏偉的成吉思汗雕像都比不上滿山牛羊那麼憾動心靈。同行的蒙古Rotaractor對我們瘋狂照相的舉動大惑不解，我也只好苦笑著告訴他們，藍天對於香港人來說，太奢侈了。多諷刺，最原始天然的景象偏偏在我們營營役役、霓虹燈下的都市生活中最是遙不可及，是再多幾個「藍天行動」也換不了的感動。
聽到蒙古人自豪訴說國家快速的經濟發展、迅速膨漲的採礦業、貿易業，我知道在17%的GDP增長背後，犠牲的將會是廣闊無垠的天空與草原。當地Rotaractor為抗衡沙漠化所植的草被、還有緣慳一面的瀕臨絕種蒙古馬，似乎正正昭示著經濟發展背後的危機。有些人埋怨在蒙古言語不通，老一輩英文也不懂兩句，做義工服務時的溝通亦倍加困難。我卻帶點唏噓地想，到有一天，當英文在蒙古像在香港般普及時，也許就是再找不到震懾人心的純淨天然美之時了。不知道到那時候，孩子們的眼睛還是否這樣清澈而不被物質所污染？遊牧民族們會否依舊熱情好客而不因世俗的爾虞我詐變得對陌生人心存恐懼？當初雄心壯志地說發展，以有形的石屎、瀝青為成就，以花花綠綠的銀紙為驕傲，到最後當一切追求的硬件完備時，回頭一看，卻發現我們失去的，原來叫快樂。
看到現在，在政客胡鬧下一團糟的香港，我不禁問一句：何苦呢?
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Jenny Lau (BEd(LibSt), Year 3)
Through serving the children in Mongolia, I could feel their joyfulness. Although they may be viewed as the unlucky ones and the underprivileged group in the community, they are optimistic enough to enjoy their lives. One of the children we visited was once chosen by AC Milan for football training. Unfortunately, his road to be a football star was destroyed by kidney cancer, and the orphanage was not able to raise enough funds to help him. Though suffering from the misfortune of illness, the boy remains positive and kept showing us his love for football by demonstrating his ball skills. There are many similar stories in Mongolia; although we cannot help much this service delegation was fruitful in letting us know how fortunate we are, and giving us a chance to bring these children happiness, love and care.
Through the service trip, I made many good friends in Mongolia, and all of the team members were very thankful to the Rotaractors in Mongolia, who took care of every trivial arrangement in the 11-day trip. Being curious about Mongolian cultures, I often asked questions, which provided me a change to interact with local people. Mongolians were enthusiastic in sharing their cultures with us, and enjoyed listening about ours. I will never forget the warm hugs and tears on the last day of the trip.
In addition to making new friends, this trip also greatly widened my horizons. I had never seen such magnificent sceneries of endless desert and grassland before. What’s more, I received an insight into the unique culture of Mongolia through sleeping in a Mongolian Ger and visiting real nomadic families. “Magnificent Mongolia 2012” enriched my personal development, and I really learned a lot. It was a lifetime experience, which I will never regret taking.
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Carmen Chang (BBA(Law), Year 2)
When I was still a secondary school student, summer time was always something that I look forward to, as it used to be a time when I can go to overseas with my family for a family trip. This year, I decided to do something different. Not only am I going to enjoy the hospitality of people in different countries, I would also like to take this opportunity to serve people in other parts of the world.
"Magnificent Mongolia 2012" was my first overseas service trip, which provided me with a unique experience. During the trip, I learnt new serving techniques and Mongolian culture, which helped me to serve Mongolian children. In addition, I also grasped the true meaning of communication, which is the most significant skill that I learnt in this trip.
As Mongolia children do not understand and speak English well, besides from relying on local Mongolian university students to do translation for us, we have no way to communicate with these children through normal conversation. This made me realised the importance of body language, eye contact and expressions as a means of communication. I have to pay a lot of attention to these local children, to observe their every single body movement, and try to understand their feelings and what they want to share with me.
I met a boy in the State Orphanage, and after communicated with him via body language, I finally knew that he is 18 years old, who loved drawing and playing some kinds of brass instruments. As this boy shared same interests with me (I love drawing and playing trumpet), I immediately felt the special connection between us. He held my hands throughout the game session, and I felt the warmth that he tried to deliver to me. Through his interaction with other kids in the orphanage, I felt that he does not have a lot of friends, and I felt his loneliness. At that moment, I realised how lucky I am. I have a family and a lot of friends, who support me to paint and to play music.
Before we left the orphanage, we took pictures and gave each other a big hug. I tried my very best to show him my support, encouraging him to continue to do what he likes. When I left, I can see tears in his eyes, and I was sure he could also feel my love and support. I also experienced the power of silence communication via this visit.
Throughout this trip, I have thought about my future career. Since primary school, I have been doing a lot of voluntary services, trying my best to contribute to the needy. However, when I started my tertiary study, there seemed to be a lot of temptations. Busy schoolwork and other activities have been tempting me to live for myself, and gradually, I have forgotten about the “spirit to serve”. This experience has reminded me to serve with my heart; I do not simply listen to the service targets with my ears, but with my heart; I do not show care with soothing words only, but with my actions.