완도에서 만난 특별한 인연과 성장

During the camp, I was often asked the same question: “Why did you apply to the work-camp?” My answering was that I received a message from a friend who I had never expected to send me one: it was an invitation to a work-camp programme in which my friend was to participate as one of the camp leaders. But too hasty is it to conclude that her friendly words simply moved my mind to join when I was having a significant civil service examination for which I had been working on so hard to pass was ahead of me. The date of examination was due right after the work-camp programme; joining the 2-weeks programme inevitably means giving up the examination. So question, what encouraged me to prioritise her invitation and the work-camp over the examination?

At many times, the ‘work-camp’ means only some intense physical and mental labour: in the case of Wando it was educating incorrigible (?) children who seemingly are only willing to defy their teachers. At many times, it means poor accommodation-condition which location is remote from the major cities: the turbulent communal bedrooms with thunder-like snoring at night, only two toilets for 13 people and the spider-infested rooms. Interesting, nonetheless, is that, invariably, it always means the best that could happen to people like me. More of playing with kids rather than educating them, more of the vacation - playing, go swimming and parties at night - rather than the volunteer works and more of us, my dear friends, rather than of work-camp itself; within and beyond her warm and friendly words inviting me into it, the glimmering was the pictures of my bygone work-camp days… a pang of nostalgia for the days that, I believe, somehow shepherded me into Wando.

Feeling strange as I am sitting in my room alone musing on the days now passed by; I am trying to consolidate the whole story by penning about it before it fades away. But how do I delineate it or from where should I start? From the vivid romance, those sweet rendezvous to everything we have done together; as many as I wish to share, few is there I actually can… Although I can recall everything, there is just no way to convey the whole story to anyone.

Will I see them again… when the world is so wide…

It will take some time for me to get used to it… being without these mates. And it could be very hard for me… being far away. Nevertheless, I am grateful for that I was at Wando with them. Thank you… thank you… and thank you very much.