青年大使@馬紹爾群島－Day 2

2010年7月27日　牽起手，不再有距離。

今天是交流課程的第二天，雖然昨天下午大家已經有先彼此認識了，但為了加深台灣青年大使與馬國學生的互動與熟悉程度，還是不免俗的透過簡單團康遊戲，讓大家更加認識。

p1. Kulas 的勇敢表現。

Kulas 是青年大使的隊長，這也是我第一次看到他主持活動。

我來到馬紹爾四個月後，才逐漸克服英文口說的障礙，對於Kulas而言，甚至對於所有青年大使而言，要馬上使用英文主持，也不是簡單的事。可是，身為隊長的他在第一個活動挺身而出，最為隊員的表率，讓我非常欽佩！而且我發現他有帶著"大抄"，聽說是前一晚按電子辭典按到很晚呢！

p2. 小鐵參與遊戲的過程。

p3. 馬紹爾學生參與活動的過程。

雖然大家語言不同，但在Kulas以及其他青年大使互相協助的情況下，加上比手畫腳的最原始的溝通方式，其實青年大使和馬國學生還是玩得很盡興。在破冰的團康活動之後，原本就已經很熱情的青年大使以及不怕生的馬紹爾學生，很快的都彼此熱絡了起來！

接著，就回到教室，由我的好兄弟 Savi來說明接下來兩周的課程囉～

Savi 的英文很好，除了擔任照相工作之外，也協助許多活動的翻譯。我想，這除了跟她的主修相關之外，男朋友也幫了很大的忙吧～哈！

p4. Savi 認真的解說課程。

下午，是最開心的時候吧！

青年大使開始交馬紹爾學生原住民的樂舞－阿美族宜灣部落樂舞。大家張開雙手，台灣人，馬紹爾人，美國人，不論什麼膚色什麼人種，牽起彼此的手掌，交叉，大家就隨著歌聲連結起來了～

雖然馬紹爾學生第一次不太能跟上樂舞舞蹈的步伐，但重要的是，歌聲與笑聲已經融化了種族和語言的距離，所有的文化交流在這一刻，開始慢慢的發酵。我想，因為彼此握起雙手，讓日後的彼此學習與了解感受，更加的深入！

p5. 阿美族宜灣部落歌舞教學。

p6. 原住民樂舞練習。右一：青年大使Ipulu。

看吧～Ipulu真的很白，跟馬紹爾學生膚色有滿大的差距！

這時候大家就可以回到前一篇文章了～看看照片裡的Tuku，真的是非常的黑，難怪大家都說她是馬紹爾公主，而此次回來是返鄉探親～哈！

英文好，或許可以達到＂溝通＂的目的，但我想不一定有＂彼此交流＂的過程。

人和人之間的了解是很特別的，語言，只是一個管道或工具；然而更重要的是，能不能讓對方感受到＂心＂。這些東華大學的原住民用微笑，用歌聲，還有用心，讓馬紹爾學生感受到努力與付出，還有彼此想要學習與交流的強烈意願，成功地讓彼此的心打開，也讓日後交流的過程更加動人與美麗。

青年大使@馬紹爾群島－Day 1

2010年7月26日，兩個禮拜的快樂時光，從今天開始。

青年大使抵達馬紹爾時間是2010年7月26日凌晨，休息之後早上便到中華民國駐馬紹爾群島共和國大使館與大使、參事與秘書見面，並簡單討論為期兩個禮拜的規劃。接著，下午便到CMI(馬紹爾學院，College of the Marshall Islands)開始彩排，並進行開幕典禮。


就是從這一刻開始，慢慢感受到這群原住民小朋友的天真與活力！

p1. 活動開幕式青年大使的表演

開幕典禮在馬紹爾學院的二樓一個中庭，而日後兩周的課程也都是在馬紹爾學院舉行。先是青年大使的唱歌跳舞，帶動起全場的氣氛，冷場、尷尬與陌生，都在溫暖的歌聲與熱情的舞蹈裡，消失。取而代之的，是大家的掌聲與歡呼聲。（當然，有一半的歡呼聲是來自於台灣活潑的青年大使們～自嗨！哈）

p2. 與馬國學生的交流（前：小鐵/中：Ipulu/後：Tuku）

開幕活動結束之後，便到一樓的教室開始進行簡介。由范媽主持，除了介紹台灣與青年大使之外，也介紹了孕育這群小孩的地方，東華大學。接著，青年大使便與將近25名馬紹爾學生開始互動。

p3. 與學生互動狀況

這位「華特小姐Tuku」的英文實在是@#$%^&哈！但她卻非常勇於開口，向馬紹爾學生介紹自己，非常勇敢的用微笑去克服一切困難，不過，我想應該不是她的笑容克服了困難，而是她實在太像馬紹爾人了，所以這些馬紹爾學生應該覺得格外親切吧！哈～

p4. 在海灘的交流時光（左：Tuku/右：小鐵）

晚餐時間，由中華民國駐馬紹爾大使館宴請青年大使，海邊BBQ。這兩位青年大使（Tuku與小鐵）從四點多就在飯店的海邊唱起歌來，還有一群完全不認識的當地人一起聆聽，一起歌唱。這兩位真的是充分展現青年大使的特色：年輕、活力與不怕生！

p5. 左：馬紹爾查凱爾總統，中：中華民國駐馬紹爾群島共和國令狐大使

除了馬國相關人員一起出席之外，馬紹爾總統查凱爾先生也一起出席，並接受青年大使致贈的禮物－米酒，但卻包裝著手工的原住民外衣，非常精緻！瞧馬國總統笑得多開心阿～哈！

p6. 馬紹爾學院Erik夫婦與青年大使Savi與Tuku

用餐過後，大家便開始聊天，我和馬紹爾學院的學生事務長Erik和他太太同桌，而我右手邊則是坐著彼睞老師、Tuku與Savi，可別看Tuku笑的這麼開心，她最常轉過頭來問我：「他在說什麼？」哈哈！

青年大使第一天的行程，就在歌聲與歡樂的交流聲中，於美麗的海灘夜空下畫下句點。

Loren

2010.8.12

2010 ROC Youth Ambassadors in the Marshall Islands

十個月之前，「台灣」兩個字對我來說，只是個國家的名稱。然而，當我在馬紹爾群島共和國協助國際援助工作與外交工作近十個月後，「台灣」對我而言，有了更重要的意義。能夠在國外為國家做事，讓外國人更了解台灣，讓台灣形象更好，讓我感到非常榮幸。



2010 台灣青年大使@馬紹爾群島

2010 ROC Youth Ambassadors，青年大使是外交部近年所積極推動的文化交流計畫之一，透過派送大專院校青年學子到邦交國進行短期的交流活動，與邦交國學生進行知識、文化與語言上的各種交流。而今年，派遣到馬紹爾群島共和國的青年大使是來自國立台灣東華大學，由三位老師帶領六位原住民學生所組成，進行為期兩個禮拜的交流訪問。

幸運的是，而該次專案中，大使館劉秘書則是指派我前往全程協助青年大使，協助工作包括：對外擔任青年大使與馬紹爾學院（馬紹爾對口單位）所有交流溝通事宜、對內則是擔任青年大使與大使館的溝通橋樑，並且主要負責8月6日所舉辦的成果發表會一切規劃事宜。

這是我第一次和原住民小朋友相處這麼長的時間，從第一天的活動開幕式，就可以強烈感受到他們的熱情、活潑與主動。兩個禮拜以來每天的朝夕相處，也讓我對他們更加認識。

團員介紹

Director
L.J Fann

大家都叫她「范媽」， 有著很直接的性格，有時會講出很好笑的話，有時會做出很搞笑的舉動，一點都不像是嚴格而嚴肅的教授！和每個學生都相處得很好，有些學生還會開玩笑地叫她「胖麗娟」（不過我想應該是口誤）哈哈！
（為了保護當事人，以不露臉為原則～哈）


Leader
Sawmah－阿美族

Sawmah，因同「少罵」，是原住民的名字。團隊的領隊，就是她篩選出這六位來自原住民部落的天使，將溫暖的歌聲與歡樂帶來馬紹爾群島。


Coach
Bithai－阿美族

彼睞老師，主要負責後勤協助，是Sawmah的先生。先前是運動國手，打球、跑步，各種運動都非常在行。這段日子裡也和彼睞老師聊了不少事，是個很nice的老師。


Capitan
Kulas－阿美族

隊長，第一天看到他的時候，感覺是個很木訥的人，沒有太多話，也並不是很亮眼。但在這兩個禮拜來，感受到他一直默默的努力：英文不好，每天晚上就一直查單字、練習隔天的講稿；雖然是第一次和外國人互動，但他卻會鼓起勇氣，在氣氛很冷的時候挺身而出，讓整個活動更加順暢。


Member
Iron－阿美族

像鐵一般的女人，是她給自己的期許。
Iron非常調皮，很愛扮鬼臉，也非常的man。在我拍攝的照片當中，她總是非常愛搶鏡頭，偷偷在照片的角落張大眼睛、吐出舌頭～哈。負責影片拍攝的她非常認真，在期末成果展上熬夜趕工，將每段精彩的影片完美呈現在大家面前。


Member
Sky－鄒族

很帥氣的女生，也很好相處，主要負責活動的舞蹈和運動項目設計。她和馬紹爾學生一起編排的「節奏籃球」超級帥氣，也非常震撼，是晚會當天高潮之一，深受馬紹爾學生與來賓喜愛！


Member
Ipulu－魯凱族

別名「章魚妹」，因為她總是能做出很多東西，包括：十字繡、串珠與染布等。
Ipulu又稱「文具店」，因為她總是能生出紙、剪刀、膠帶與蠟筆等東西～哈。她是個非常細心的女生，期末會場佈置也因為有她的協助而更加完美。


Member
Tuku－魯凱族

有人稱她為「馬紹公主」，因為她實在是太黑了！哈哈～而且大家都是笑稱她是「返鄉」；也有人笑稱她是「馬紹爾火車」，因為她把頭髮放下來時，真的太像「動力火車」了！Tuku非常有精神也很有活力，歌聲非常嘹亮，每天總是能聽到她的聲音，為大家帶來精神。

還有，我必須說，她的英文不是很好，自己笑稱「華特闖天下」最常講的一句話就是「what?」然後就露出和黑黑皮膚超級對比的白白牙齒，傻笑！在夏威夷時，有人問她是不是黑人？而在機場，總是有不同的人問她是哪人？在馬紹爾，大家則是笑稱她是當地人！


Member
Savi－漢族

主要是負責拍照和攝影，整個活動過程和Iron搭配，並剪接成果發表會的影片。

非常男性化的一個女孩，和我自稱是兄弟，也非常成熟，總是能和我聊不同的事，包括出國念書、其他事情的觀念與看法等。有個在美國的「未婚夫」，每天都把他掛在嘴邊，非常的閃！哈～

這群小朋友真的很活潑，和他們一起工作整個就感覺年輕很多！

也很開心能和他們一起工作：）

Loren

2010.8.11

來自台灣的天使

天空灰濛濛的一片，馬紹爾機場瀰漫著不捨的氣氛。
一大群馬紹爾學生圍繞著九位來自台灣的青年大使
其他人的眼淚在最後一刻，無法克制的崩潰。

2010 ROC Youth Ambassadors in Marshall Islands.

六位來自台灣原住民部落的大學生，以及三位同團的老師們，組成2010年台灣青年大使，來到馬紹爾和當地學生進行交流與互動。在這兩周裡，我主要是協助他們和馬紹爾學院所有溝通與事件處理，並且協助8月7日的成果展順利進行。

結束了為期兩周的協助，來自台灣的青年大使於今天早上離開馬紹爾。慢慢地，把頭抬高，不讓眼淚流下來。在這兩個禮拜，慢慢地被這群活潑而開朗的小孩們所吸引，雖然每天很累，但卻因為他們的歌聲與歡樂，讓我覺得累的很值得，很開心！

這些來自台灣的天使，用他們的熱情，用他們的歌聲與舞蹈，用他們的微笑與天真，與馬紹爾學生真心的學習與交流，成功的和馬紹爾學生有了最真誠的互動，這也是為什麼，在離開的今天，大部分馬紹爾學生都到了。

很幸運也很開心，這次能夠協助他們，讓活動更加順暢，也讓台灣的形象能在馬紹爾更好。接下來的文章，希望有時間能用文字來記錄，這兩個禮拜來讓我難忘而快樂的時光。

Loren Wu,
2010.8.10

The ROC-RMI Vocational Training Program.

It is said that teaching a man how to fish is better than giving him a fish. The ROC-RMI vocational training program is the best practice to realize this spirit.

The ROC-RMI vocational training program

This project is divided into two parts. One part is about vehicle repairing, and the other part is about electric wiring. There are two professors come from Taiwan to teach the Marshallese people the basic knowledge and skills of these two fields. These two skills are more important to the Marshallese people than others. In addition, Taiwan donates some tools and materials that these project needed. It is great to support them software such as knowledge and hardware instead of money.




Lucky enough to participate in this diplomatic project.

Richard Liu, the secretary of the Republic of China (R.O.C) in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, told me to assist some details of this project, so I joined the meeting with the Marshallese Public Works officials. Only when I was involved in the diplomatic meeting and sat in the meeting room, I could feel that I stand for the Republic of China (Taiwan). It is really lucky for me to join the discussion of the international project even though I just sat and listened, I still concentrated on every detail to learn the way the foreign officials talked.



The most beautiful office in the Marshall

I have to say that perhaps the Ministry of Public Works office is the most beautiful one in this island. Colorful walls and great design make the environment happy and relaxing. I was attracted by the meeting room with lots pictures on the walls.

I am so proud while seeing the national flag of the R.O.C on other country.

There are total 50 students chosen to join the project. They all wore the blue uniform with the flag of R.O.C (Taiwan). This is a big project not only for the Marshall Islands but also for Taiwan. The project is so meaningful. It means that Taiwan has the ability to help other underdeveloped countries around. We are keeping moving forward, and we still are contributing to the world.

The national flag of Taiwan is printed on students’ uniform.

I designed the stands of fruits from Taiwan Technical Mission for the opening ceremony.

Dr. Lin teaches electric wiring.

Dr. Wu takes responsibility for vehicle repairing.

Loren Wu,

2010.07.25

A journey totally changes me life.

I will, or will not, come back to this small island again, but I know this stop in the earth of my life will strengthen my wills to make the world better.

I have never thought that I will fly a half of the Ocean Pacific and stay in a small island for almost one year! The period will definitely be one of my unforgettable memories in my life.

The route from Taiwan to the Marshall Islands

Heaven or hell? Where am I?
This is an island country called the Republic of Marshall Islands, located in the middle of the Ocean Pacific, and I stay in Marjuro, the capital island of Marshall Islands.

Majuro Atoll, The Republic of the Marshall Islands.

A business guy. What I did in the country?
On the moment I stood on the land of this island, I regarded this journey as a great chance to help some people or even only one person. Although I graduated from business school, I firmly believed that I can do something by my professional knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Followings are what I did during this period here.

1. Assisting diplomatic affairs.

(1) 太誼專案, The project of President Ma visited the Marshall Islands. (Marsh, 2010)

Sleeping on the sofa in the Embassy for entire week, I strived for the tasks with the counselor and secretary. Floor plans, motorcade routes, banquet settings, and lots of paper works I did for completing this project. In addition, I cooperated with the members of the National Security Bureau, who always wear the black sun-glasses and stand by the president. Moreover, I participated in a meeting with the officials of Marshallese ministry foreign affairs. It was quite interesting that I have never joined a diplomatic meeting like this.


(2) 敦睦艦隊 visited the Marshall Islands. (Marsh, 2010)

I assisted for arranging around 400 NAVYs’ transportation from vessels to every activity place in Majuro.


(3) 職訓計畫, The ROC-RMI Vocational Training Project. (July, 2010)

This project is about vehicle repairing and electrical wiring training for the Marshallese. I helped dispose some details about this program and about two professors from Taiwan. Also, I joined the meetings with the officials of Public Works and learn the convincing and communicative way in a diplomatic meeting.


Working with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Republic of the Marshall Islands not only can make good relationship between two countries but also truly help this country and the people by some projects such as the ROC-RMI vocational training project. It is quite meaningful to me and expends my mindset.


2. Marketing the agriculture to change people’s life.

The organization I work for in the Marshall is the Taiwan Technical Mission. Taiwan Technical Mission is supporting and training agriculture knowledge and skills for Marshallese people. My main task here is to market the “agriculture” and induce people to make their living by growing their own farm business.

(1) Arranging and assisting several marketing events.

These events such as fruit demonstration, cooking demonstration, and lectures will let the Marshallese understand that they can make money by growing vegetables and fruits. Besides, their health conditions will get better because of eating these natural things instead of meet and cans.


(2) Holding student visiting tours.

The youth is the future of every country. I try to educate young students the concepts of health, the knowledge of agriculture, and the basic operating of business. Not only do I tell students something but also inspire and encourage them have the brave to change their country.


3. Helping all kinds of affairs in the Taiwan Technical Mission.


The rest time I stay in Marshall is to support Taiwan Technical all kinds of affairs such as paper working, document managing, and so forth. Sometimes I have to work with Marshallese works or to manage them, it is a great oppotrunity to overcome the culture shock and modify my way and attitude to make things well.


Here, in the small islands, I try my best to apply my professional knowledge and experience on doing everything for the people, for the organization, and for the countries. It is no doubt that this journey is valuable and changes my whole life as well as my mind every time while seeing the smiles that Marshallese people response for thanking me a little help!



Loren Wu,
2010,7,24

How Will You Measure Your Life?

"How Will You Measure Your Life?"
This is the title of a great and thought-provoking article that a best friend sent to me.
And, it is also a great beginning of my blog.

Why I star to establish this blog?
I want to keep up my mind with my visions I set.
I want to remind myself every moment do not forget the goals of my life.

1. A sweet family.

I firmly believe that a sweet family is the power for me to keep realizing my dreams.


2. Keep learning and expending my mindset.

If I stop learning, I cannot make progress anymore. I always believe, and in my own observations and experiences, learning in the best environments will make me better and expend my mindset. Once I become matured and have abilities that I can help more people.


3.Try my best to make the world better little by little.

Perhaps I cannot make a giant contribution to the whole world, but I will try my best to make the world better little by little. With my professional knowledge and experience, I can help a person understand something, I can arrange a project going smoothly, and I probably can with some buddies create something to make the world get well.


I am not alone.
I can feel some trusts and connections from my friends even though we are not in the same country. I know that there are always someone who have the same dreams with me, to make the world better.
Of course, I am not alone.



In the end, I have to apologize for the one I loved.
Honestly, I really did the worst thing in my life and hurt the one’s heart. One of the reason establishing this blog is to make up my mind to be pure and to be responsible for myself.

I choose to dedicate myself into business, an industry can make the world better but it is also the darkest enviroment around the world. I, with the starting of the blog, vow to the one I loved and the one still trust me that I will never do something mean and hurt them again.


How will I measure my life?
I will be strong-minded to love the one I loved, keep growing to help someone, and try my best to make the world better little by little, step by step.



Loren Wu,
2010.07.23 @ Majuro, Marshall Islands