The influence of the Service Learning Project - A life-changing experience for the Local family

The influence of the Service Learning Project: A life-changing experience for the Local family

The service learning project that took place this September was nothing short of a life-changing experience for not only the students from St Laurence College, our Tour Operators, but also The House Building Project had an enormous impact on the local families who found themselves on the receiving end of a wave of support, care, and transformation. It serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that collective action can have on individual lives.

This special case is about the house of Mrs. Hang and her daughter – Thao, who have been facing various challenges and hardships after their loved one’s untimely passing. Mr. Phuong – who was under cancer treatment for almost a decade, has always been the pillar of the family, his death turned their whole world upside down.

Now, Mrs. Hang has to take on the responsibility of the family, she works 3 low-paid jobs per day to have enough money for her daughter to go to school as well as maintain the house at the lowest cost possible. Early in the morning, she helps with cooking and selling box meals for a local shop for 5 USD, weaving clothes for 1-2 USD in the afternoon, and staying up late in the evening folding bags to make an extra. She has always been under mental pressure since then.

Thao – their only daughter is now in grade 7 and is a very energetic secondary school girl according to her mother. But after her father’s demise, she has been reticent to everyone. Sad eyes, a slightly bowed head, a dry smile, and being a great student at school, are our first impressions of her. Their struggles had left them feeling overwhelmed, disheartened, and stuck in a cycle of adversity.

The Housing Project with St. Laurance College

Then came the House Building Project, this service learning project was a turning point in the lives of Mrs. Hang’s family.

With more than 23 students from Australia, they put their support from miles away, raising funds for the renovation of the house. However, the transformation was not limited to the physical surroundings. The family began to feel a sense of belonging and support from the community like never before. The goodwill of their neighbors, the tireless efforts of the volunteers, and the unwavering commitment of the students became a testament to the power of empathy and solidarity. It rekindled their belief in the kindness of humanity. It really put a tear in both Mrs. Hang’s and her daughter’s eyes, brighter their smile, and opened up their heart again.

“I remember the first week of the projects, at 5 a.m in the morning, before her working shift, Mrs. Hang called me to express her concern about the safety of the wall the students had been working on. I had to reassure her again and again as we have doing this for 10+ years as well and we are always under the supervision of professional builders and tour guides. Every morning at 5 A.M, in the first week, can you believe that (chuckles)…” shared by one of our guides. “But I understand her action, I mean, she has put a lot of effort and hopes for the opportunity of her husband’s recovery, but fortune never pays her a visit, so now she questions every new opportunity that comes along the way”

But you can see the changes in her eyes and actions as the walls of the house get taller and taller. “She told me to ask what kind of fruits or biscuits the students like to eat, so she could find and get them before every working shift. The students are really obsessed with Mekong Delta fruits as well as durian biscuits, the fruits I understand, but durian biscuits still confuse me, haha.” – said the tour guide. Even Thao, who used to be really quiet, now has openly shared her hobby, talking and being playful with all the students. “Her daily support during the day is making ice lemonade and preparing fruits for the students. She gets a lot of compliments from the boys about how good her juice-making is, so her smile never fades during the day. She even delivers the water hand-by-hand to express her gratitude toward them, then asks for their name and draws a chibi version of everyone on the building site using her talent in art drawing. I got one too, Lucky me!”

“And about the students of St. Laurance College, I have never seen a group of boys that were all into improving their mental and physical strength like them. They really enjoy wall building and steel bending, some express their fun through sip-talking, every so often too much talking… The only job that scares them is mixing cement, which to my opinion, is the hardest work on the site. But in the compelled situation, they still willing to finish it.”

The day the new house was revealed to Thao and her mother was a moment that will forever be etched in their hearts. More than just the physical structure, the impact of this service learning project extended deep into their hearts. The tears that flowed were not tears of sorrow, but tears of gratitude, joy, and astonishment. The house stood as a symbol of resilience, hope, and the power of unity in the face of adversity. It’s amazing to see the effect of the potential for remarkable change within the hearts and minds of individuals who, through their collective efforts, can breathe new life into a struggling family.

In the end, this service learning project didn’t just give a family a house; it gave them a second chance at life, a chance to turn the page and start anew. It demonstrated that when people come together with love in their hearts, they can perform miracles, mending not only walls and roofs but also broken souls. It was a beautiful reminder that, in a world often clouded by darkness, there is still an abundance of light to be found in the kindness of strangers.

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