Whoo

Community service at the Methodist primary school Pan Tang - Upon our arrival, the kids were so excited, surrounding our bus and waving, anxious to have their photos taken. First, we met the headmaster and visited the classrooms of various aged students. I spent the most time with class 6, aged 10-15. We talked about their hobbies, career aspirations, opinions of President Obama and his upcoming visit, etc. Some students performed for us the talents they develop in their spare time - rapping and dancing - quite entertaining. Finally,we got to work, mixing mortar and moving cement blocks. Then we helped continue construction on the school library walls. Unfortunately, I was of little help in this process. Applying cement to bricks - mortaring - is a skill I do no possess. Period.

Some kids helped us work and then wanted to play and joke, all the while loving to have their photos taken. One asked for my gloves, and I learnt it was to in order to play goalie in soccer. I gave them to him unhesitatingly, and he immediately became the most popular kid among his comrades. We taught each other some songs and games; for example, we taught them to sing "Rocky Top." They particularly liked the "whoo" and would giggle excitedly each time we got to that part of the song. I felt so happy to have touched the lives of such happy, friendly children, even in the smallest way.