Most of us have heard of Thai labourers working in Singapore. But what about Singaporean ‘labourers' in Thailand? Sounds odd? Perhaps, but not so for the 30 JC1 students who were in Thailand from 18 to 29 November 2003 building houses with Habitat For Humanity (HFH) Thailand Affiliate, a non-profit Christian housing organization that funds and builds houses for the needy.

Throughout the expedition, Mr. Lam Boon Seng, Mr. Edmund Koh and Ms Jillian Lee guided us and facilitated our learning and reflection. Our very own Principal, Mrs Lim Chye Tin, also joined us for four days, doing her part to serve the community. Ong Shihui (03A12) served as expedition leader, alongside the other committee members. They include Marvin Chu (03A32), Pan Wanting (03S75), Chong Kaijie (03S52), Lim Siew Wen (03S54), Wesley Tham (03S62) and Ho Yew Kuan (03S21).

Upon arrival at Udonthani Domestic Airport, we received an unexpectedly warm welcome from the Habitat for Humanity staff who greeted us with banners and jasmine garlands. We were then brought to our living quarters for the next twelve days – Ban Kham Youth Centre – a cosy two-storey building complete with dorms, bathing facilities and a recreation centre.

Work at the construction site began the next day. It was tiring but undertaken with a spirit of perseverance. Under the guidance of the HFH staff, we all learnt how to mix the cement and lay and align concrete bricks – tasks that were a lot tougher than they appeared! Some of us also helped to dig toilets for the villagers; a task that actually went beyond our duties, but still cheerfully done. In the end, our hard work paid off, and the four houses that we built were presented to the new home-owners at home dedication ceremonies.

We were also rewarded with our fair share of fun. Apart from shopping, we visited the Don Bosco School, a local missionary school that has students ranging from kindergarten to secondary 6 level. We learnt more about Thai culture through the song and dance items that the Don Bosco students put up for us, and also shared with them some aspects of Singaporean culture, using Malay drums, a Silat performance, and a fashion display of our traditional costumes. This was followed by a friendly soccer match with the local students (no prizes for guessing who won!). We also went to Nong Khai to visit the Friendship Bridge, which arches over the Mekong River, and had dinner on board a boat. To top it all off, we experienced traditional Thai massage, definitely a treat for our aching muscles.

On the last evening in Thailand, we enjoyed a sumptuous farewell dinner. It ended with a Thai ceremony where the locals tied strings to our wrists as a symbol of gratitude and blessing. Despite the singing and dancing that followed, many of us felt sad to be leaving Udonthani and all the friends we had made there.

All of us agreed that we simply got much more than we had devoted to the expedition, and that we would very much like to return to help if ever possible. This trip indeed opened our hearts towards further service to others.

by Chong Eng Keat
(Edited by Ms Jillian Lee )