Blogging by Ben
This morning, team AY split up into small groups for breakfast, with teams going to different eatery's nearby our hotel. Due to my inability to speak Chinese and the lack of quality restaurants open at the time, I chose to eat at a Seven-Eleven, which offers more "real" food options in China than it's American counterparts. My meal was surprisingly mediocre.
This morning, team AY split up into small groups for breakfast, with teams going to different eatery's nearby our hotel. Due to my inability to speak Chinese and the lack of quality restaurants open at the time, I chose to eat at a Seven-Eleven, which offers more "real" food options in China than it's American counterparts. My meal was surprisingly mediocre.
After we ate breakfast, the group embarked our bus, lovingly dubbed the 'muricamobile (named by Raquel), and was instantly grateful to the air-conditioned interior. Soon, we were on our way to the headquarters of Chinese non-profit Greenovation: Hub. Their office complex is reminiscent of Silicon Valley, located on a sprawling campus with lots of trees, coffee shops, and hipsters (or at least the Chinese equivalent). G:hub's mission is to ensure that a every person has access to clean water, safe food, and fresh air. The major focus at their Guangzhou location is to improve water quality and security throughout China; they accomplish this by both providing life-changing water filtration systems in remote and poor communities, and raising awareness about the overall water crisis situation by empowering local citizens to test their water quality.
After listening to a thought-provoking presentation about G:hub and the work that they do, we were given the opportunity to test water samples from the Pearl River. The results were surprising: most group's test revealed the highest amount of pollution of the 5 point scale the government uses.
After listening to a thought-provoking presentation about G:hub and the work that they do, we were given the opportunity to test water samples from the Pearl River. The results were surprising: most group's test revealed the highest amount of pollution of the 5 point scale the government uses.
It was really powerful seeing villagers tasting filtered water for the first time -- Jannike Allen, AYLP participant, responding to a video that was shown detailing the instillation of water filtration system in a rural village. | Greenovation: Hub approaches water security issues through multiple different approaches. A lot of people try to approach problems in one particular way, but with G:hub, they see that you just can't do it one way. They see that action and education are equally important. I really appreciate the effort and bravery that they put into their work. -- Rudi, AYLP participant |
After Greenovation: Hub, we enjoyed a delicious Chinese lunch at a nearby restaurant. Shortly thereafter, we drove to the Guazi House in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou, an art gallery/cultural preservation center where we painted ceramic plates and enjoyed the relaxed summer atmosphere while learning about the Chinese culture.
It was one of the most charming places I have ever been too. - Katie Lan, AYLP participant
To end an already great day, Team AY indulged ourselves in a Buddhist vegetarian meal, which included delicacies such as mashed and fried taro sculpted to look like a chicken and a glutinous/soy/meat substitution dish shaped like a fish.
Despite only being half way through the program, VIA's AYLP trip had provided me with a transformative and life-changing opportunity for me to grow as a leader and a responsible citizen of the world while surrounded in a group of like-minded peers, mentors, and friends we meet along the way.
One major skill that I have learned during the trip so far is how to live in the moment, and how to be flexible to what life brings me. Prior to the program, I always wanted to have a set goal in mind, a set schedule in place, or a set process in motion. However, I realized that this "locked-down" ideology was hindering my creativity, that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity could be unlocked to it's full potential if I came into each day inquisitive and with an open mind. Instead of just racing to the door that I wanted to open, like a cheetah closing in on its prey, I now have time to see all the other doors, all the other opportunities that I would have previously missed. In essence, if you go into an experience knowing exactly what you want the outcome of it to be, you will likely only get that outcome, at best. However, if you go into an experience not knowing your exact goals, then it will allow for more creativity, happiness, and personal growth.
One major skill that I have learned during the trip so far is how to live in the moment, and how to be flexible to what life brings me. Prior to the program, I always wanted to have a set goal in mind, a set schedule in place, or a set process in motion. However, I realized that this "locked-down" ideology was hindering my creativity, that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity could be unlocked to it's full potential if I came into each day inquisitive and with an open mind. Instead of just racing to the door that I wanted to open, like a cheetah closing in on its prey, I now have time to see all the other doors, all the other opportunities that I would have previously missed. In essence, if you go into an experience knowing exactly what you want the outcome of it to be, you will likely only get that outcome, at best. However, if you go into an experience not knowing your exact goals, then it will allow for more creativity, happiness, and personal growth.
Additional photos by Nate Ivy: