STORIES & FEEDBACK

Training

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Published on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:46

Leadership Program
Date: Sept 2011 – present, every Saturday
Location: Vancouver

When I first signed up for Love Your Neighbour’s Leadership Training, I was expecting a classroom environment where everyone sits and listens while a lecturer explains points off of a PowerPoint presentation. I was wrong. This program’s goal is to teach members of the Love Your Neighbour Club to be better leaders with an emphasis on hands on practice. Whether it is leading a conversation, group activities or exercising, the training opened my eyes to how the little things in life can be proof of our strengths and weaknesses in our leadership abilities. I learned how the insides of our backpacks are a direct reflection of our organizational skills and how our ability to come up with a thoughtful strategy to distribute a box of snacks reveals the flaws in our planning skills. Leadership skills aren’t something that can be gained simply by listening to someone explains what a leader should be. Love Your Neighbour’s unique approach to create future leaders gives everyone the chance to step up to a challenge. Along with the encouragement of its friendly members, this training program has definitely brought me closer to my goal of becoming a good leader.

Liana Chan
UBC, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

I have joined the leadership program for a semester now, and I will continue to go. It's great to have a group of people who share the same vision and goals as me. Everyone there is very encouraging, making a great environment to easily interact with others. Not only that, but the program also provides body coordination exercises such as dancing, and martial arts. These skills allow us to have better interact with others.

Jenny Lee
Network Security Analyst

Enrichment Program
Date: Fall 2010
Location: Vancouver

Good experience to know more people and their stories. Helpful to listen and share stories with other friends.

Son Hoang
SFU

This is a good start of the entire enrichment program. We are now more prepared to take initiative in starting talks with new friends.

Angela Lin
SFU

Fundraising

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Published on Thursday, 01 March 2012 09:04

Vancouver Resource Society 40th Anniversary Gala
Date: June 20, 2012
Location: River Rock Show Theatre Richmond, BC

Once again the Love Your Neighbour Club came together to make a difference in the local community. This time more than 20 of our volunteers came out to support the Vancouver Resource Society 40th aniversary gala. Our volunteers were involved in every part of the event. From the preparation of tables to the greeting, checking in of guests and selling of raffle tickets, Love Your Neighbour was there. As a volunteer for club, I found the the gala not only meaningful because it raised funds for people with disabilities but it also provided young people, like me, a chance to put my time in making a difference while gaining skills.

Irene Lan
International Studies, SFU

The VRS Gala was definitely one of my favourite single events as a volunteer! The entire experience was exciting and it was fun to communicate with the guests, as well as make new friends among the volunteers. I thank the host for giving us an awesome meal after the event. And as if that wasn't enough of a vindication, I got to meet a Beatles tribute band backstage!

David Lim
2nd year Arts, SFU

Photo Exhibition “No Strangers in the World”
Date: Feb 9 - 18, 2012
Location: Tseung Kwan O Government Secondary School, Hong Kong

"...我被相展的相片深深打動我的心。因看見當地兒童生活環境惡劣，臉上失去希望，使我心裹也替他們感到悲哀。不過當我看見他們受助後的情況，臉上露出的笑容，使我更確信「施比受更為有福」，因為知道他們幸福時，我也感到十分幸福。"
...I was deeply touched by the photos displayed in the exhibition as I see the local children are living is such poor condition. The hopelessness on their faces caused me to grief for them. However, after I see the condition change and the smile on their faces after receiving help from Light and Love Home, this made me firmly believe "It is more blessed to give than to receive"
侯善鈺 (3D-11) TKOGSS Gr. 9

"對於今次的相展，我感到很震憾，因為我看到發展中國家的兒童生活的情形。...儘管他們每天的食物非常不充足，可是他們不僅沒有抱怨三餐不繼；反而積極地生存，這一點令我反思香港的孩子實在太幸福了，每天都有豐富的食物、讀書的機會，不用年紀輕輕就出外工作，也不用為自己的生活而擔憂。這令我學會珍惜自己的所有。"
I was very shocked when I saw the children’s living condition in developing courtiers from the Photo Exhibition ... Though they did not have enough food to eat at all, yet they did not complain about not having any and still strive to survive each day. This cause me to think how blessed children in Hong Kong are as every day we have abundant food, opportunity to go to school and do not have to work and worry about living. I learn to treasure what I have and not take things for granted.
劉嘉陽 (3E-10) TKOGSS Gr. 9

Baking for Charity Sale
Date: Feb 19, 2012
Location: Vancouver

It was so much fun to bake all together. This was also a good experience for me, because I really want to learn baking. And I met a lot of new and interesting people.

Janie Tyugay
SFU Business Administration

Baking was a good experience. It was great, fun team work for an excellent cause.

Rachel Lam
UBC Biology

A sprinkle of sugar, a cup of flour, and a handful of volunteers could make trays of baked goods. I’d say all these make an opportunity for a better future for those who needs it. Volunteering has never been sweeter.

Jane
SFU PDP programme

UBC Photo Exhibition - "No Strangers in the World"
Date: September, 2011
Location: UBC, Vancouver

Feedback:
"The picture captured their expressions well"
"The girl in Nepal who never smiled - very burdensome life"
" Could see that children are very happy to be in school"
"Portrait of a bare feet, half-naked child. Would not see something like that in Canada."
"Inspirational and could really sense the impact of volunteering is Big!"
"The part about happiness not costing is very true but easily forgotten"
"Girl and buffalo, left a deep impression"
"how tough labour is in developing countries"
"It's realistic glimpse of humanity"
"Fetching water...a resource we take so much for granted"

Documentary Photo Exhibition - "Along the Way"
Date: Sept, 2010
Location: Crystal Mall and UBC, Vancouver

The Documentary Photo Exhibition held at Crystal Mall and the UBC Bookstore has been a great success. Many who came were touched by the needs around the world and expressed interest to take part in the charity work. See what one attendee wrote on her blog titled "photography can make me cry" by Myra Madrilejos, UBC

" I would like to provide some feedback about the exhibit. Unfortunately I missed most of the talk. The video documentary and posters around the room were very touching and showed the true story of the living conditions and hard times in all these countries. Clearly your groups work is having an impact and is appreciated by the people there. Hopefully some of the areas that you help out in will be benefited enough that they can eventually have higher living standards so that in the end they no longer need your help."

Dustin Dunsmuir
SFU

Social Gatherings

Details

Published on Thursday, 01 March 2012 08:57

Amazing Race
Date: Sept 29, 2012
Location: Vancouver

The race was tiring but really fun. It is a good way to meet people and get to know them. We really did explore the great places in Vancouver. Our club should make this an annual event. I had a great time! :)

Micah Mendoza
Langara 1st year

The game was well-organized and very enjoyable. Our winning principle was: If you can’t do Sudoku quickly, just outrun the other groups!

Jesse Lo
Master student

Hiking Trip
Date: May 26, 2012
Location:West Milford, New Jersey

I was impressed that even though we were such a large group, we took appropriate safety measures, helped each other to get through obstacles, and shared water and food when others ran low. Although there were some that I just met for the first time, the whole group felt very close and warm. Not only was the hiking trip fun and challenging, I also made some new friends! This was a very memorable trip!

Stanley Chau
Network Engineer

今日行山時面對一個又一個的艱難令我有更加深的體會。好像我們人生亦都要面對好多的艱難才能達到最後的終點。今日完成一個艱難的路都是一個成功。所以無論人生遇到甚麼難處都不要放棄~繼續走下去~到最後必苦盡甘來。

Phoebe Chai
Human Service, CityTech

I have just finished my final exam last week. However, all of my worries and pressures were not yet released. I was fortunate enough to join the hiking trip, it allowed me to become closer with nature. The air was fresh and the landscape was glorious. I also enjoyed the time when we eat durian together. That made this hiking trip very exciting. Although it rained, that it not affect our joy. I became much more relaxed after the trip. I hope I can join the hiking events in the future.

Alan Fung
Social Work, CSI

UBC Lunch Gatherings
Date: Spring 2012
Location: UBC

I would like to say that lunch gatherings have been very enjoyable and warm. I always enjoy the company of everyone in Love Your Neighborhood. The club has really enriched my first year experience in Vancouver and UBC. From meeting new people, joining a 5k run to hearing amazing volunteer experiences of the others, I have been truly grateful to be part of this club. Thank you!

Yzah Macalintal
UBC

World-wide Gathering
Date: Oct 22, 2011
Location: Vancouver,Canada; Toronto, Canada; Suva,Fiji; New York, USA; Cape Town, South Africa

U of T Feedback:

• Good event, it was very exciting to hear about what other LYNCs around the world are doing.
• It was a very informative gathering. I was surprised to see that there are actually so many Love Your Neighbour clubs around the world. The different things other clubs have been doing motivates me to help out and do more to help the community. I hope we can do more international collaboration as well as large-scale events.
• The event was good despite the technical difficulties and the video lagging and freezing.
• It is really nice to see so many people around the world willing to volunteer to help others.

Joint Campus Social Gathering
Date: Feb, 2010
Location: Vancouver

Combine great volunteering opportunities, friendly individuals, and dynamic, yet comfortable environment, and you are sure to get something good.
Joining a club at a university and going to the first general meeting are often coupled with a little bit of anxiety. But every bit of that anxiety and nervousness I had of going to Love Your Neighbours Club’s first general meeting was blown away when I actually got there. Despite the hierarchy of positions within the club, segregation did not seem to exist; everyone communicated openly with everybody, and everyone approached one another with respect, sincerity, and friendliness. Despite the close-knit image of the club, I felt comfortable and had fun being there.
The club was just as great as their promotions claimed they were, providing wonderful immediate as well as long-term volunteer opportunities, both local and global. It was very impressive that not even one person in the Love Your Neighbours Club seemed to half-hearted. Each individual seemed passionate and dedicated, and truly committed to the works of the club; it’s something you don’t see in every clubs, and really makes you believe in the goodwill of the people.

Kristine Hur
SFU

Overseas Missionary

Details

Published on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 16:24

Volunteering at Cape Town
Date: Summer 2011
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Working with children and working in teams aren’t something new to me, but I had fresh learning experiences in both areas when I volunteered in Cape Town. I helped to teach English and math to children who spoke little to no English and had difficulty focusing on schoolwork. The classroom was crowded and it was a challenge to keep the children under control.
In the beginning it was a frustrating experience, but it also trained me in different ways. I was reminded of the importance of not just getting lost in the process of doing work but also remembering the purpose behind that work; in my case, the real purpose was to help the kids feel there are people who care about them. I learned patience and persistence, to keep putting in my full effort to help these kids even when some did not appear they were making much progress. Team members also reminded me of common-sense advice on how to overcome communication barriers and keep the attention of wandering minds: use basic English and also project my voice.
Working in this team encouraged me to be a more supportive team member. The fact that we had a limited number of volunteers pushed me to take more initiative and ask others if they required assistance or if I could take on extra duties. I felt like more than just taking on extra work; it was fun to do things that I wouldn’t have otherwise done if I hadn’t asked to help. This is one thing I hope to keep on doing in the days to come!

Thomas Chuah
Software Developer

Volunteering at Costa Rica
Date: Winter 2011
Location: Costa Rica, Central America

Hi, I’m Katy, and I’m a member of the U of T Love Your Neighbour Club. I had a chance to go to Costa Rica (Central America) this past Christmas break with a team of LYNC volunteers. During our trip, we visited an orphanage run by a local couple. Their home was filled with orphans of all ages happily playing together and working together to take care of each other and to do house chores. We found out that, behind all those happy smiles, were many, many sad stories. The lady who ran the orphanage, Doña Amelia, told us a few of their heartbreaking stories. I was touched to hear how she and her husband managed to not just nourish these unfortunate children’s bodies but also their hearts through their genuine love and care. Hearing their stories, I felt very blessed—whatever problems and difficulties I have seem so small compared to what these children have gone through. Regardless of our different backgrounds, I am happy that I was able to bring joy and warmth to another person’s life through my love and care. I realized that though these children have many physical needs, they also need more people like us who are willing to love and care for our neighbours from near and far all around the world.

Katy Lee Law
Kindergarten Teacher

I went on a volunteer trip to Costa Rica for 2 weeks from December 2011 to January 2012. Not only did this trip widened my eye sight to see the different needs of this world but also demonstrated again the importance of volunteering and its rewards. Along with other volunteers, I helped local youth develop confidence and leadership. Throughout the two weeks, I was able to see their growth and improvement which reflected the impact of the work we were doing. Indeed, helping and caring for others, even people who were once complete strangers can give you a feeling of gladness and joy especially when you can see the benefits of your work first-hand.
We also had a chance to visit a local orphanage where we discovered many touching stories of children who have gone through very harsh experiences at an early age. Living in Canada, many times we take things for granted. I feel that everyone is fortunate in distinct ways and it is the willingness to help those who are less fortunate what makes a difference in this world.

Mario So
Youth Settlement Worker