I Wonder about the Stories

It has been several days since I recorded an entry and I may not be able to post this blog. In each city that I travel to, I seem to have some internet issues. Right now I’m in my room in Shenzhen and will try to post when I reach Nanning tonight or find another solution.

A summary of the past few days.
Friday, March 19
Authentic Learning Projects and supper with Kuby's parents

On Friday afternoon, I walked the city of Hong Kong for about 4 hours. It was a great walk where I saw among other things a bird garden, a Baptist University, and the Avenue of Stars. On the Avenue of Stars, I was interviewed five different times by students from a catholic middle school. These students had developed a questionnaire for tourists to practice their English. When the interview concluded, they took a picture which will be included in their final power point presentation. I gave them my card and asked them to send me a copy of their final work. In exchange I received a souvenir for my participation in their authentic learning project. It was exciting to participate in some creative education on a Friday afternoon in HK.

Later that day I had dinner with Kuby's parents, a younger sister, and Kuby's father's business partner. Again it was excellent food and great conversation. In fact the business partner will visit me in Hamilton this summer with his two children. We were able to talk about life in HK and education in Canada.

March 20, 21, and 22 in Shenzhen

Alice and I left HK by ferry to Shunde Port on Saturday morning. The weather was very foggy and humid. It was interesting to see the contacts of large container ships in the same waters as small Chinese fishing boats — a picture of the traditional alongside the modern. This seems to be the story of Shenzhen. There are so many people hurrying from place to place. Everybody is trying to make a living with one foot (or maybe toe) in the old world and another foot in the ultramodern.

As I observe all the people, I can't help but wonder about their stories. I wonder about their families and the role men and women assume or try to break away from? How do the millions of people of Shenzhen find fulfillment in life? Where do they find value? Although they live in a very modern city that is growing at an exponential rate, I still see much of the traditional life occurring alongside the modern.

Yesterday, I had lunch with a young international agent who said he came from a family of three brothers. When I asked about the one child policy, he said not everyone abides by the policy. His parents had to pay a substantial fine when they had more than one child. At supper, I dined with Alice and one of her friends. This friend works for the government and was in charge of the propaganda division for one section of Shenzhen. Her only child is attending school in Hamilton. She missed her son very much but felt that a Canadian education was important for his future.

Through Alice, I have also met parents of potential students for HDCH. Again I hear of the love these parents have for their children and the sacrifice they will make for a good education —similar values of the parents of HDCH students.

One of the highlights from the past three days was a visit with Aize and Marioka Smit, a couple who attended the same church that Petra and I attend in Hamilton. They have been in China for the past two and a half years teaching English and hosting a small group in their home each Sunday. They are doing very well. It was good to see where they live and work. The other couple in the picture above, also teach in China and are part of the small group. The school pictures above are of the school where Aize and Marioka teach. The sign is one of the many sayings that are throughout the school.

It is time for me to go. Today, I move on to Nanning. Hopefully the internet connection will work better for me there. This entry is being posted by Petra whom I miss very much. Thank you my love. I sent this entry and photos to her through Skype—a wonderful solution.