The day started off with the usual stuff, meeting and walking to H.O.M.E. together. Great time for bonding as we walked and chatted along the way. :) Oh ya, H.O.M.E. stands for the Humaritarian Organization for Migration Economics, which is a local NGO aiming to help migant workers who have encountered problems while working in Singapore.
When we reached there, we were greeted by a very big-sized dog (besar!). Hmm, kind of scary! Anyway that was secondary… We were there before the Indonesian domestic workers arrived and so we had some time to adjust and get comfortable with the small but cosy area. We decided to stand and let them sit instead. This is definitely not the “tibetian” culture where the tribe sits and the guests stand. :P
The domestic workers arrived shortly and we began the session with a photo-taking session! Haha. Then Chia Nee led a short round of introduction. I’m really sorry that I couldn’t remember their names (one is nina I know… help anyone?). With the ice considered broken, we kick-started the session with some basic terms of addresses led by Rosie and Tsiat Siong. The workers were really good at pronouncing, just that they had some trouble with daughter. We tried ‘nu’, ‘nyu’ but they couldn’t do it. I guess it has got to do with the natives accent. *Oh, I think we tried ‘nyi’ at a later part, and it worked pretty well.*
When we reached there, we were greeted by a very big-sized dog (besar!). Hmm, kind of scary! Anyway that was secondary… We were there before the Indonesian domestic workers arrived and so we had some time to adjust and get comfortable with the small but cosy area. We decided to stand and let them sit instead. This is definitely not the “tibetian” culture where the tribe sits and the guests stand. :P
The domestic workers arrived shortly and we began the session with a photo-taking session! Haha. Then Chia Nee led a short round of introduction. I’m really sorry that I couldn’t remember their names (one is nina I know… help anyone?). With the ice considered broken, we kick-started the session with some basic terms of addresses led by Rosie and Tsiat Siong. The workers were really good at pronouncing, just that they had some trouble with daughter. We tried ‘nu’, ‘nyu’ but they couldn’t do it. I guess it has got to do with the natives accent. *Oh, I think we tried ‘nyi’ at a later part, and it worked pretty well.*
Group photo. :)
Next up was the Simple Conversational Dialogue by Winston and me. Hee, I was in charge of writing the pin yin and had issues with some words. Guess my Chinese is getting rusty! Many thanks to those who corrected me lest we impart the wrong stuff to them. :P
Michelle and Yuan Xin taught the fundamental contrast, and I feel they did well as they cite daily instances whereby the phrases learnt would be useful. Interestingly, for Chinese whenever it’s the opposite we add a “bu” and for Bahasa Indonesian, we add a “tidak”. The beauty of languages huh. :)
Lastly, Sze Yin and Yao Yang led the teaching of the song "Ke Ren Lai". The domestic workers picked up the melody really fast, and I felt so tone-deaf compared to them. I couldn’t catch the tune of Bintang Kecil (small stars). Apparently I think most of us couldn’t, except for maybe Winston whom Nina pointed out especially. Lol.
They are writing the lyrics to Bintang Kecil.The session was fruitful in my opinion as we managed to learn some basic B.I. I hope the workers find it a great learning session as well. I remembered nina because she was the most diligent one, actively copying down notes, asking questions and throwing out suggested Indonesian expressions to teach us. Best student award goes to her definitely! Haha. The others were not bad either, their notes were all filled, and they looked genuinely interested which is both heartening and encouraging. :)
Alright, this seems to be a long post! Shall end it with a picture we took before we left. Cheers!
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