Workcamp 2023 in Retrospect

by Kory Ngo

I can think of no better way to kick off my recap of the 2023 work camp than with the profound lyrics of the great rapper cô Nancy: "On the first day, the walls were bare. There was work to do everywhere." These words could not have been more accurate. The walls needed three coats of paint, the classrooms lacked furniture, and the world's most elaborate playground was yet to be constructed— more on that later. After the first day, many of the teams were able to finish painting the first coat of the walls, as well as tape off the border between the light and dark blue hues that made up the two-tone color scheme of the classroom. It truly amazed me to see the teamwork and unwavering determination displayed by my fellow work campers, who efficiently tackled the tasks at hand despite their limited experience with the painting equipment.

The second day brought more of the same, as the walls still required additional coats of paint. However, the way-too-sticky masking tape ripped off patches of paint, adding several hours of tedious touching up. Nonetheless, the teams persevered and not only completed the painting but also began working on each room's unique murals. Co Duy-Loan's message of "adapt, adjust, and accommodate" remained a guiding principle throughout this year's work camp, as each team encountered its own array of obstacles. Team Six, to which I belonged and which won "Best Team," had the most complicated mural to paint and received the wrong measurements, causing the artwork to be off-center, leaving a significant amount of empty space on one side. However, our team came together to craft a design to fill the blank space. Thanks to the collective diligence of the team, the artistic ability of Grace and Mèo on the improvised artwork, and the invaluable contribution of Tâm Oanh, a talented and hardworking LSMSE scholarship student, our team managed to complete a large portion of the mural by the end of day two.

As I woke up on day three, I naively thought to myself, "Alright, all the hard work is done. I'll wear some normal, clean clothes today. Might as well wear some socks and flip flops too!" Little did I know that this would turn out to be the most challenging day yet. Removing the stencils revealed that the tape had ripped off more paint than anticipated, leaving an imperfect rendering of our mural. Drips of paint had seeped beneath the stencils, further complicating matters. The morning session turned into a delicate touch-up operation, with our team painstakingly using fine-tip brushes to rectify the damage. With our backs aching and fingers cramping, we finally completed the mural by the end of lunch. Believing that our day's work was finished, I stepped outside to catch some fresh air, only to discover a partially built playground. But let me clarify, this was no ordinary playground; its blueprint boasted a three-panel rock climbing wall, a two-part ropes course, and a double set of monkey bars, among other features. Seeing that the outdoor team needed help, I took off my socks allowing me to fully lock into my flip flops and got down to business. I ended up spending the rest of day three and the entirety of day four working outside in the sun alongside other work campers, team leads, and local Vietnamese construction workers. Both days, the playground team was the last on the bus, drenched in sweat, clothes stained with oil paint. Perhaps the most rewarding part of day three and four came when the Vietnamese workers expressed their gratitude and said they would love to have me on their team. As a veteran work camper, praise from the locals is about the highest honor one can receive. Whether it was my ability to lift heavy objects or my newfound resemblance to them with my flip flops and egregiously tan skin, their approval of my hard work meant a great deal. By the end of day four the playground stood tall, adorned with vibrant paint and a hand-laid brick border ready to be filled with sand. Will I get PTSD every time I look at a playground now? Possibly. But all the literal blood, sweat, and tears poured into the playground was well worth it though after witnessing the joy of the local children playing on it.

On the fifth day, we opened the school doors to the local community for a series of workshops. The workshop day of every workcamp always proves to be the most impactful to me. Of course, throughout the first four days, I know that the work we were doing was for a good cause, but it is not until the masses of students from the village flock into the classrooms that I truly begin to grasp the magnitude of the impact that this school will have. I was part of the team teaching 2nd grade, and witnessing these bright kids confidently draw and write about their future occupations was truly inspirational. Teachers, doctors, and pilots emerged from their imagination, despite their remote upbringing in the village. After lunch, there was a soccer game against the local villagers. Nothing else more needs to be said about that.

On a more serious note, as I reflect on yet another transformative experience at work camp, I am astounded by how it continues to impact me throughout all these years. This being my fourth trip with Sunflower Mission, it certainly had all the familiar symptoms of a work camp: awkward “hellos,” sketchy scaffolding, and a variety of less-than-ideal conditions. Yet, it still provided for a completely unique and memorable experience, as this year’s group of work campers fostered the strongest and closest relationships I have witnessed. Through facing adverse conditions, the extraordinary power of unity shined, and unbreakable bonds were forged, further propelling the collective success of the group. By the end of the work camp, the awkward “hellos” between strangers turned into heartfelt “goodbyes” amongst a family bonded for life.

After that unforgettable work camp, I take a step back and look at all the incredible memories made, and there’s only one thing left to be said, “Oh my lordy lord.”