IVAN CHIOK

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Week 1, Day 4

Today was a half day class as we will be departing to some places as part of the time table program in Dalian for the immersion program. A brief explanation could easily round up the places we visited. Instead I had something in my mind since the day I stepped into Dalian that I hope to share and raise up about. Although Dalian is considered one of the most livable cities in China, the presence of poverty still lies in many areas of Dalian. The differentiation of the rich and poor were clearly shown as the rich is really rich while the poor were really poor. One memorable scene hit my heart most during a walk to a not far away restaurant during the night. What I saw was a few dirtily dressed children squatting around and playing with a puddle of water collected by the broken road holes/gaps right in the middle of the street traffic. I felt a sense of sympathy for the kids as questions started to come into my mind. Why isn’t they studying and playing in such a dangerous area? Why didn’t their parents stop them from playing on the road? Why are they dress in such a manner? Why are they playing with rain water that is muddy and dirty? Is that their so called toy for the poor? Is there anyone to help save them from where they are now? But one thing that I was really sure and clear about them, was that they treasures what were around them and make use of every opportunity around them, even though they may not have much. To them even when they are poor it did not prevent them from being happy. Just like the few kids playing in the middle of the road, it clearly shown and proven to me that money is not everything and there are more to do in life that could bring happiness in life and things shouldn’t be taken for granted even if it can be as simple as a puddle of water.


Dalian Immersion Program Chiok Jun Hua Ivan Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Experience and Product Design navipro@hotmail.com April 2009 May 2009	Thursday, April 23, 2009 Week 1, Day 4 Today was a half day class as we will be departing to some places as part of the time table program in Dalian for the immersion program. A brief explanation could easily round up the places we visited. Instead I had something in my mind since the day I stepped into Dalian that I hope to share and raise up about. Although Dalian is considered one of the most livable cities in China, the presence of poverty still lies in many areas of Dalian. The differentiation of the rich and poor were clearly shown as the rich is really rich while the poor were really poor. One memorable scene hit my heart most during a walk to a not far away restaurant during the night. What I saw was a few dirtily dressed children squatting around and playing with a puddle of water collected by the broken road holes/gaps right in the middle of the street traffic. I felt a sense of sympathy for the kids as questions started to come into my mind. Why isn’t they studying and playing in such a dangerous area? Why didn’t their parents stop them from playing on the road? Why are they dress in such a manner? Why are they playing with rain water that is muddy and dirty? Is that their so called toy for the poor? Is there anyone to help save them from where they are now? But one thing that I was really sure and clear about them, was that they treasures what were around them and make use of every opportunity around them, even though they may not have much. To them even when they are poor it did not prevent them from being happy. Just like the few kids playing in the middle of the road, it clearly shown and proven to me that money is not everything and there are more to do in life that could bring happiness in life and things shouldn’t be taken for granted even if it can be as simple as a puddle of water. 12:00 AM ·