During our engagement in the cyberfair project, we had contributed a great deal of time, strengths and hardships. In return, we earned a lot more than expected. Here are the reflections of our team members to show how much we have attained our school vision: to experience, to learn, to serve, to care.
- Rewarding Experience >
- ExperienceThe most wonderful experience in life is obtained outside the classrooms and beyond textbooks.1.Create multi-cultural understanding
There are many tribal groups in Taiwan. Each of them
bears particular ethnic culture which includes dance, architecture, ballads, language, food, etc. Through the projects and programs of Exclamation Point, we were able to gain access to the customs and traditions of the aboriginal people. We were able to admire their arts and performances as well as gain personal contact. At the same time, we also found out that different tribes show different personalities. The Bunnan children show full energy and enthusiasm, while the Paiwan tribe is more reserved. On the other hand, we learned about their predicaments: cultural and traditional decline, environmental destruction, mass exodus of youth, economic deterioration. However, they still hold a positive and firm attitude to strive for the best.2.Experience charity work
From the tour in TECO headquarters and interviews with
the staff, we learned that doing charity work requires more than passion. There are many difficulties to overcome and a mastery of communication skills. We learned to organize charity through planning the Christmas Shoebox Project. We went through discussions of planning, poster making, route of promotions and collecting shoeboxes.3.Facilitate teamwork
Every team member has personal traits that deserve our
attention. Yang Yeh and Jiang Ni are competent in making decisions and working out problems. Teacher Dai is well organized and very frank with people.
We learned the importance of cooperation and how to resolve disagreements. During the discussions, it is crucial to articulate our opinions for others to understand. On the other hand, we should also show respect to the speakers. To work as a team really requires full responsibility, good communication, and adequate consideration. - LearnLearning is not the product of teaching but a product of the activity of learners. We learned different skills of communication shown as follows:1.Interview skills
Before we started interviewing people, we would go through all the interview questions over and over to make sure we had come up with the right questions. Then, as good reporters do, we framed the questions differently according to our subjects. When the subjects were kids, we would simplify our questions for them to understand. As for the adults, we would inquire further to get in-depth information.2.Presentation skills
We learned how to overcome stage fright and make speeches to real audience when promoting the Shoebox Project in many classrooms. We knew the descriptions should be solid and clear to the listeners. Our voices should be loud enough and the speech delivered in a moderate pace. Moreover, a genuine Christmas shoebox must be demonstrated so that everybody could get the idea. - ServeDoing services to others mean making altruistic contributions. With effective methods, we would be able to contribute to as many people as we could.
We promoted The Christmas Shoebox Project in our campus hoping to get all our teachers and students involved in doing charity work for the aboriginal children. We motivated people to donate stuff like stationaries, books, toys and snacks then pack up in shoeboxes that would be delivered as Christmas presents for aboriginal children living in remote places.
Moreover, we participated in the International Cyberfair Project with expectations of putting forward the remarkable works of TECO Technology Foundation and making known culture of our aboriginal tribes. - CareTECO Technology Foundation has inspired us to care for the aboriginal children. We responded through our actions: received the aboriginal children in our homes, campaigned the Christmas Shoebox Project, and attended aboriginal children performances.
“It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” We are able to support the aboriginal children with little good deeds like donating gifts or making greeting cards. We can do more by inviting people to make donations or giving the loudest applause in the Aboriginal Night Performance. Although we didn’t expect m our recipients to repay us in return, we were thrilled when they responded with thank you cards and photos with their big smiles. We feel a sense of fulfillment for what warmth and joy we are able to give.
A big smile or a word of affection can really make difference in life!
