I remember when we first began to recruit members for the Cyberfair, most kids intuitively thought that it would mean legitimate access to computers and fun on the internet at school, and hence show high levels of enthusiasm—until we began to explain what it is that participants would be required to do, after which most of the kids scattered
off. Only the members that comprised the Expedition crew stood by their belief and dared to challenge themselves—despite being burdened with a steady stream of heavy workload, tight work schedules, and the severe rule of mandatory withdrawal from the team should work quality fail to meet demands, they persevered and improved, learning and growing in every event.
Seeing the kids working hard, we were at the same time happy and concerned. We were happy to see these kids aspire for excellence, dutifully and diligently complete their assigned tasks, carefully observe, show dedication, and express their ideas which they would put to practice. Yet we were concerned that they, facing increasingly difficult and heavy schoolwork, would need to set aside.
time to complete tasks from the team—seeing these kids go home after 8 or 9 pm from cram school only to log onto the internet to do research or to type out manuscripts, and receiving their emails around midnight or 6 to 7 in the morning, really makes my heart ache.
It may be that none of the kids performed flawlessly over the course of the project, but their dedication has been witnessed by all faculty members. I like reading the kids’ weekly journals the most, as I could see touching moments and signs of spiritual maturation in their writings. As the concept upon which our entire project hinges is “love,” something that children these days lack, I was particularly touched to see how the kids of the Expedition learn with each event how to better contribute, to care, to show gratitude and appreciation, as well the generous support and cooperation from every parent. Some kids exhibited exponential growth after participation in these events, becoming more mature and considerate. This goes to show that every person is gifted with unlimited potential, and that so long as one dares to try and face challenges, there’s always something to be earned regardless of the outcome.
Teacher Jun-kai Huang
By not doing one remains indifferent;
by doing one effects a difference.
Opportunities for children to learn are not pre-given, but must be created, and the Cyberfair happens to provide one such opportunity. Learning the right methods and acquiring the right attitude forconducting a research, learning how share and spread the message of love, all these the kids on the team managed to achieve; all of it was unanticipated, but
indeed all to the benefit of these kids.
Looking back to when it all started, when we found that the kids were still almost entirely oblivious of what Cyberfair was all about, were unable to empathize with Ms. Doremi and Ms. Emily’s charitable cause, and, selfishly detesting having to sell their handmade dolls for charity to someone else, deliberately made ugly dolls or committed other atrocities, or that they showed genuine reluctance and consequent dejection upon seeing dolls that they liked sold to someone else, we, without prior experience, were quite literally caught off guard. But, it is thanks to these discoveries that we could isolate and attempt to rectify these character flaws in these kids, and indeed such experience would prove to be invaluable for them.
For us teachers also, this journey has been rewarding and filled with touching moments. We were happy to see the kids grow, but also blessed to have so many people by our sides along the way; without the help and support of peers, the parents, friends, none of the project for the Cyberfair would have been possible. True to the words of Ms. Yang (husband of Ms. Doremi): “As for every small achievement one attains involves the help of so many, it is all the more important that we ourselves help others when we can,” we indeed must harbor a more grateful and humble heart.
Teacher Yin-ho Lai
Being the best you can be, full throttle!
The term “Cyberfair” quite literally did not exist in my life prior to all this, and when I initially tried to conceptually grasp according to my understanding what it’s about, I thought rather simplistically that it merely involved making webpages; things such as what to put in it, I had neither any bright ideas nor previous experiences. Hence, when
Jun-kai invited me, I was at first hesitant, but after several meetings with Jun-kai and Chiu-man and the former’s insistent persuasions, I, albeit somewhat worried, decided to join in anyhow.
At first I really felt myself to be no more significant than a menial, being unable to assist the kids in any way and learning what to do along with the rest of the students. Luckily, through learning from the guidance given to the students by Jun-kai and Chiu-man I was able to gradually have a better understanding of what I could do, and how interesting and exciting the Cyberfair is. Seeing the kids grow with each event was very fulfilling, and I look forward to all of them equipping themselves with even more advanced qualities for further research.
Winnie’s Mom
The internet, for us parents of this present age, is both enthralling and horrifying. Kids especially love to use the internet as a convenient tool for gaming or chatting, and tend to neglect the original purpose of the invention of the computer. To allow Winnie to have proper understanding of the merits and uses of the computer, I consented without hesitation when she asked if she could join the Expedition.
Over the course of the project, starting from coming up with a team name, proposing a research plan, making group presentations and keeping records of events, to interviews and charity sales, all of it moved our hearts deeply and profoundly. And, all of the kids finally learned what the teachers meant by “spreading the love,” which I suppose they would not have otherwise learned from textbooks.
Gaven’s Aunt
Gavey’s encounter with the Cyberfair
Gavey is the nickname for our Gaven. He's been highly dedicated throughout, always learning with joy and coming home eager to share everything at the Expedition with me, sparing absolutely no detail.
But, perhaps it can be said that Gavey has experienced twice the amount
of shock, as he was once on the verge of being kicked out of the Expedition. The teachers did give him a chance to redeem himself, eventually. After this lesson, he came to recognize that it was his own sloppiness, lack of concentration, and his failing to ask for proper assistance when needed, that led to his near-disqualification. It must be hence that I noticed that he work even harder to learn and leave a
good impression. In all this, he stumbled and fell to rock bottom, but climbed his way back up, and I’m sure that this experience will be an unforgettable lesson for him.
