Lighter Nguyễn Trang’s reflections on the second Light One Saigon – Light Day 7.7.2018
#GOOD_MORNING ????????
#Today is the #MOST_WONDERFUL weekend day ????
and #Yesterday was the #MOST_MEANINGFUL day of my life so far.
#07072018LightOne_SG2 took place after more than 1 month of implementation, and yesterday was day 37—the day the LIGHTERs harvested the “SWEET FRUIT” after so many days of “PLANTING AND WATERING.”
I'm Yuppie_Trang. I learned about the program through the YUPPIEs Vietnam community, and my reason for deciding to participate was: “Whatever I HAVEN'T DONE before, I WILL DO now, out of my duty to the Community, to Work, and to myself.”
So that ????THE MUSIC OF MY LIFE???? may ring out once before it is too late.
How will you know if you do not try,
How can we see success without taking action?
I decided to join the program's #Team_Logistic after first learning about it as a Volunteer tasked with following the Management Board's directions to DONATION POINTS to collect items. The management teams were already operating then, but after an offline coffee meeting with members of the Board, I realized I could do more than volunteer: I could help with management and take greater initiative in collecting items and transporting them to warehouses.
After a few days of excitement and enthusiasm, oh dear…
There are plenty of happy moments, but also plenty of fear and frustration ????????
#Happy because I get to contribute and connect the hearts of those who GIVE & RECEIVE. That is something to be proud of as a young Vietnamese person carrying the mission of “MAKING VIETNAM A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.”
#Scared: I worried that carrying such a bulky load on my motorbike might bring me face to face with the men in yellow uniforms. I was only a little scared, though—I figured they would be nice, stop me, ask how I was doing, and let me go ???????? But life probably isn’t that dreamy, so luckily I didn’t encounter any of them on the whole journey. ????????
#Frustrated: I don’t like doing things piecemeal, so when I take on collection points, I take a whole bunch—around 10. I contact everyone to arrange the most convenient times so my route is as quick and efficient as possible, *like a road trip*. But people say OK when I call from home; when I arrive, they don’t answer and even switch off their phones. There are people in the house, but all they say when asked is “I don’t know.” Oh, how disheartening.
But anyway, I've learned to stay calm in every situation, so I'll let it go ????.
There are also countless moments when you do not know whether to laugh or cry—things you only understand when you are on the logistics team.
Those were WONDERFUL experiences, and I bet TEAM LOGISTICS is LIGHTONE's most energetic team.
If you want to experience it, JOIN THE LOGISTICS TEAM IN THE NEXT LIGHTONE SEASON!
Then came #Yesterday, a #MEANINGFUL day, accompanying the program from early dawn until late evening — a complete experience.
Somewhere there is a saying: “How you do one thing is how you do everything.”
This is also part of Trang's ongoing journey of changing herself every day: “You must do things you have never done before.”
I woke up very early, got my things ready, and put on my LIGHT CHARITY shirt, ready to fight the “FINAL BOSS” round. After completing some tasks assigned by the team leader, I headed to Team 1's gathering point. As soon as I braked with a “screeeech...” in front of Má Hải's place, I saw the volunteers already carrying bags and bundles. Oh... how wonderful ????. They were quick and orderly, like a colony of ants carrying food back to their nest. Calls of “Keep going, keep going!” encouraged everyone and spread energy among us, helping Team 1 do an EXTREMELY GOOD job.
Well done, everyone!
Move with Team 1 over to Team 2,
Woaaaaaaa… Like a flea market — and it really is one ????????… It is 10 a.m. and the sun is scorching, but that does not discourage the LIGHTERs. Volunteers and organizers quickly spread tarpaulins and lay out beautiful trousers and shirts for workers at Tân Thuận Export Processing Zone, at just 2000 VND per item.
As the afternoon wore on, our Lighters grew STEADILY MORE TANNED, but the flame of enthusiasm kept BURNING HIGHER. We kept going until the very last moments.
Seeing the smiles of children whose mothers bring them to buy a new outfit, and of workers young and old, delighted to find shirts and trousers they love for just 2.000 VND, makes the flame within every Lighter BLAZE BRIGHTLY again. I know that is when the value of Community spreads ❤
At 20:00, when the sales program ended, we packed up the clothes, transported them back to the warehouse, and heard the preliminary results. They reflected all your efforts, determination, sacrifices, and tireless work. We applauded ourselves and everyone involved. The happiness was indescribable, an overwhelming emotion welling up deep in our hearts ❤
At 22:30, after tidying and organizing the warehouse, we said goodbye and headed home!!
Wishing all of you, our LIGHTERs, abundant HEALTH – PEACE – HAPPINESS ❤
Forever brothers and sisters! ❤
#LightOne_SG2_07072018
#Tan_Thuan_Export_Processing_Zone_District_7_HCMC
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#LIGHT_CHARITY
#Yuppie_Trang
#Yuppie_125
#Challenges
Reflections on Lighter Nguyễn Trang’s personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LightCharity.org/posts/1155263887955415