19th Mar

Today is Saturday. Last night my old students of my previous company came back to Vietnam from Japan because of expiring contracts. Today I met one of them. His hometown is Ha Tay. Ha Tay was a one province before but it was merged with Hanoi four years ago. The development plans are proceeding in some parts of this district, but the rest are still extensive fields.

Because he came home for the first time in three years, many relatives visit his house to say hello to him continuously.  About thirty his relatives got together for lunch.

 

This is a special meal called ‘an co’. People generally eat this meal on traditional festival, wedding party etc.

While we were eating lunch, I noticed that I was the only one woman eating lunch inside the house. My student told me that women are not allowed to get into the house while men are eating. I’m special because I’m a guest.

When I looked around, women were cooking, serving or washing dishes at the kitchen outside.

While the men were drinking alcohol and laughing loudly inside the house, the women were washing dishes quietly outside. I got a little worried about this clear inequality.   

Lifestyle of rural areas is totally different from that of big cities. For me, it seems to be a little bit inconvenient, but at the same time, it also seems to be very happy because one village is like a one big family.

Elderly women in Vietnam often wear purple clothes and wear a hat, dye teeth in black color. I think their style is simple yet elegant.

He is so cute!! But he kept shooting at me!!

18th Mar

Today I initially planned to visit Nguyen Dinh Chieu school again but it was canceled because the staff are too busy. Although I introduced myself to the headmaster on Monday, he is too busy to deal with my request. Today, his secretary introduced other teacher to me to arrange all schedule, so I had to explain my research from scratch. I’m glad I still have one month to do the research.

2:00@ Old town area

Being depressed and feel rushed, I went out for shopping to refresh myself. In this area, each street has the name of the product which is sold in that street. For example, almost all shops in Silver Street sell silverworks, shops in Tea Street sell teas. I bought warm clothes at Clothes Street.  

I feel like I’m facing some difficulties in my research. When I asked about the welfare services yesterday, one of them answered ‘All associations are always concerned about us and try to share our difficulties’. It was just like a model answer. Although I tried to ask from a different angle, a complaint or an anxiety was never expressed. However, despite their positive words, the expression on their faces was dark. I couldn’t feel at ease and accept their words as it is.

Are they really satisfied with the current condition?

They are quite humble and rarely express their feelings. I thought that six weeks may be not sufficient to get their real voices.

In my country, I have evaluated the systems or things by comparing to others. But in here, I thought it is difficult to evaluate the systems or conditions since there are very few things to compare.

17th Mar

Today’s plan… P.M. Training Centre

9:00@ internet café

Because something is not right with the Internet of my house from yesterday, I decided to go to Internet café near my house to send E-mail to the school. I got into one building without seeing the signboard because I found many computers inside. But actually it was a school teaching computer skills not the Internet cafe. I was so embarrassed when I noticed it but the owner let me use the Internet for free.

13:30@Training Centre

In the afternoon, I went to the Vocational Training Centre to interview and distribute questionnaires. But today’s plan has ended in failure. Although I informed that I’m going to interview a girl from Bac Ninh province today, the different four people were waiting at the meeting room. Moreover, school officials also sit with them. I wanted to interview individually so that I can elicit in-depth information that they may be hesitant to say in front of other people. When I asked about national welfare services, the youngest girl answered that she doesn’t receive anything. But the school official corrected her answer right away. I couldn’t proceed to ask further.

The questionnaire was also unsuccessful. The school officials checked my questions before distributing and I was advised to change some questions. They pointed out that I’d better not to use the word ‘national’ or ‘government’ in the questionnaire. So I didn’t distribute it today. I should have been more careful about the usage. The hundreds of papers were ruined.

Today, I felt the fundamental difference in ways of thinking between Vietnamese and Japanese. It does not appear when we socialize with individuals, but it becomes clear when we deal with an organization. I thought I knew this country and people well but I was unfamiliar with this point.

I’d like to ask about the efficiency of national welfare services for people with disabilities. But if I ask about it directly, I think that the answer except ‘very sufficient’ can’t be expected.

I should have thought about the feature of the communist countries before making the questionnaire. Now I need know that things I take for granted in Japan is different from that in here.

15th and 16th Mar

15th Mar

I didn’t have any plans today. In the morning, I spent time watching TV with host mother and father. They already retired their job and always at home.

After the quake, some of my friends in Japan and Newcastle sent message for me through Facebook. But the use of Facebook is restricted in this country. After the breakfast, I tried to open this web page but failed. According to my Japanese friend in here, Vietnam nation wants to prevent the people from absorbing a foreign philosophy. I’m not sure if this scheme is working, but it’s just inconvenient for me.

In the evening, I met some old students of the previous school in Hanoi. I’m glad that they still remember Japanese. They are my first students. Four years ago, I didn’t have any experiences. Moreover, I’m younger than the students. But they still call me ‘teacher’ and treat me with some respect.

16th Mar 

Today’s Plan … P.M. print out the questionnaire

9:00 @ Hang Da Market

This morning I met Mrs. Nimura and her friend who have worked at the school in Da Nang city for two years. We met at Hang Da market. This market was a local market which was famous for ceramic. It was always crowded, a little bit messy and bustling market before. But now it was rebuilt just like a modern department store. The people who were running a shop here before are now selling items in tents outside. It is shame that traditional-looking places are vanishing.

Mrs. Nimura’s friend was sent to Vietnam as a volunteer of Japan International Cooperation Agency. She gave me a lot of information about education for children with disabilities in Vietnam.

12:00@ Mrs. Nimura’s house

Mrs. Nimura served lunch for us. After eating lunch, we are glued to the news of nuclear accident in Japan for a while.

15:00@Photocopy shop

In the afternoon, I went to the photocopy shop to print out questionnaires. Although I printed out more than 500 pages, it costs only two pounds.

14th Mar

Today’s plan… A.M. visit Nguyen Dinh Chieu school

                   Arrange the schedule of research

Interview a massager

9:00@ Nguyen Dinh Chieu school

Today I visited Nguyen Dinh Chieu School. Because this is the only one school for the blind in Hanoi, many international agencies often visit here to support children. This school also provides many kinds of vocational trainings such as massage, music, IT etc. At first, I met the headmaster of this school to introduce myself and my research. Before coming here, I heard that many procedures and documents are required to carry our research in this school. But actually, it’s not as complicated as it seems.

In the music training room, I found the speakers. These are from Japanese government again. This item might be useful to practice musical instruments, but I think there are things that are more important for children. In rural provinces, many blind children cannot get a braille text to study. Moreover, in Vietnam, only 3-5 per cent of blind children can go to school. How can we help the people at the bottom?

This is the braille class. In this school, blind children receive inclusive education with sighted children. But before studying in the mainstream class, they need to study braille so that they can study by themselves.

Once they have started to study in the mainstream class, it seems to be hard to catch up with classmates. This is the math class. The teacher writing a calculating formula on the blackboard but a blind boy sitting the near side of this picture cannot see it.

The blankets on the side desk in the picture are for a daytime nap. Not only children but teachers have an afternoon nap after lunch. They sleep on the desk! This is one of the unique customs in Vietnam.

11:00@massage room

After visiting classrooms, I went to the massage room which is attached to this school to interview a massager. The girl I interviewed was blind only in one eye. But she couldn’t go to even primary school despite the mild disability. It is sad that most of people with disabilities in Vietnam don’t think they can go to school.

13th Mar

Today is the first Sunday in Vietnam.

In the afternoon, I went for a coffee with my friends. This sidewalk café was very crowded with young people. Everybody sits on a small chair having a chat. This is the Vietnamese style! I really like this style.

In the evening, we had a dinner at my friend house. My old friends and their families said to me that ‘chia se noi buon’ (I share your sorrow) . Their thoughtful concern made me feel better.

We talked a lot to catch up. Today, I felt relaxed and unwind.

12th Mar

Today’s plan… A.M. visit a shop which sells the products made by blind people

              P.M. visit an office of Japanese NGO

9:00@ shop

This morning I went to a small shop which has started to sell the products made by the blind women. One sighted girl taught how to knit a mat by cloth for the blind women.

At first, it looks difficult for them but when they were used to it, they could make it skillfully. I think this can be a very good way to generate employment among blind people if once it gets on the right track. But there seems to be some disagreement between the owner and blind women. Because this is the first attempt for the owner to help blind people by selling handmade mats, it may take time to get a result and it is difficult to expect accurate profit in advance. But one blind woman said that it is difficult to gather people if they cannot get a salary right away. Also, in order to continue this project, the cooperation of Vietnamese volunteer is essential. But it is hard to find a volunteer-driven local people. I hope this will go well and lead to social independence of blind people.

13:00@ Old town area

Old town area is the central of sightseeing spot of Hanoi. It is always crowded with foreign tourists. I went there with Mrs. Nimura’s Family. In this area, there is a famous lake called ‘Hoan Kiem’. What is interesting is that many people were looking for one turtle in this lake. According to my friend, as that turtle have been sick, people want to give a medicine for him. In order to find one turtle, a large scale search project has been launched. Because a turtle is the sacred animal in Vietnam, they are quite serious. But for me, it’s just interesting!

15:00@office

We gathered at Mrs.Nimura’s office and had a tea. Her daughter served a handmade cake which was really nice. The engineer of braille printer in the blind school also came to her office, so it was a good chance for me to get to know each other.

17:00@my house

After coming back from her office, I was just watching the news about Japan’s earthquake on the Internet. The latest news informs that more than 10,000 people died and tens of thousands of people are missing. When I was looking at photos of the devastated areas, I couldn’t help crying. No matter how much the country develops, we are at the mercy of nature.

Is there anything I can do except praying? What should I do for my country?

I’m filled with the feeling of helplessness.

11th Mar

Today’s Plan : A.M.  Interview the vice president of Vietnam Blind Association

                   Arrange a schedule of interviews

             P.M.  Look for a place to stay

9:00 @ Vietnam Blind Association

This morning I visited Vietnam Blind Association. Although here is the head office which controls 43 provincial offices across the country, the building is a little bit gloomy and silent. None of my Vietnamese friends know this association although they always drive past this building. Firstly, I met the secretary to arrange the research schedule. She introduced me some person who is appropriate for the interview of my research. In order to interview them, I need to go to rural provinces by myself. I hope everything will go well.

After that, I interviewed the vice president of this association. He explained about this association and the situation of the blind people with enthusiasm.

13:00@ Hanoi City center

In the afternoon, Mr. Anh took me the city center to help me to find a hotel. Because I’m not good at negotiating, he was quite helpful. We looked around some hotels but I didn’t decide to move right away. I may change the house from place to place during six weeks.　

In this country, especially in Hanoi city, traffic congestion is a very serious problem. As the number of cars increased so much over the years, this problem is now more serious than it used to be. Buses, cars, motor bikes and bicycles have to go in the same lane. I used to go to school by bicycle when I lived here four years ago. But it’s too dangerous now.

 

20:00@ Police

Vietnam is very strict with foreigner since this country is a communist country. When foreigners stay at a regular house, it is required to inform police even if it’s a short term. This evening I went to police with host father to register my stay.

********************************************************************

Today, there was a massive quake in Japan. In the afternoon, I spent much of my time to make sure the safety of my family.

At first, the telephone line in Japan was not available because of the quake. But a few hours later, it finally got through and fortunately, everybody was safe.

Footage of Tsunami was just awful. I still can’t believe that this terrible disaster happened in my country.

10th of Mar

Today’s plan…A.M. Meeting with the representative of Japanese NGO

                     P.M. Visiting the Training Centre

This morning I was woken up by a call from Mrs. Nimura who represents Japanese NGO which helps blind people in Vietnam. I have known her for five years. She said she is coming here soon.

9:00 – 11:00 @My place

She came to my place with her secretary. Actually I didn’t expect that I can meet her today.

It was nice to talk to her about the present situation of blind people because she gave me valuable insights from the perspective from a foreigner and we can talk in Japanese!

According to her, it is difficult to get an honest opinion in a communist county. She said they are willing to answer what they have achieved, but hesitant to dig up the problems. But anyway it was nice to know these backgrounds before I carry out research.

13:30@ Training Centre

After eating lunch with the host family, Mrs. Nimura, her secretary and I went to the Training Centre which provides the vocational training for blind people.

We met the vice-president of this center and I introduced myself and my research. She is also blind but highly intelligent and a cheerful person.

Mrs. Nimura carried her handmade braille books. She is translating arithmetic into braille. It is originally a small thin textbook but when it is translated into braille, it became big thick five books.

In the braille printing room, I found a braille printer which was provided from Japanese government. This is a part of the foreign Aid from Japan. I’m glad that they were using it. But the engineer said that this has no manual and very few people can use it because its procedure is too complicated.

One thing I didn’t expect in here is the weather. I’ve expected in Vietnam in March is hot. But actually it’s still cold. When I told host mother that I only brought T-shirts from UK, she lent me warm clothes, scarf, pajamas, and even socks. So now I’m totally wearing in the style of Vietnamese.

9th of Mar

16:00@Bangkok airport

Even though it was a long journey from Amsterdam to here, I haven’t reached my final destination. Though I slept for a while on the bench in the airport, I was still so exhausted.  But at the same time, the atmosphere of South East Asia made me relax and I felt like coming back to home!

20:00@Hanoi

Finally I arrived at Hanoi. It had been two years since I came here last. Each time I come to Vietnam, I am surprised that how fast this country grows. I visited Vietnam in 2005 for the first time. At that time, I rarely saw cars in the city. But now, the number of cars increased obviously though the majority is still motor bike. The rapid economic growth of this country is quite visible.

I took a taxi at the airport and head my friend house.

21:00@My friend house

When I got to my friend house, her family gave a warm welcome to me. Her mother hugged me and served hot meal for me. As this is the house of my friend who I met in Newcastle, this is the first time to meet her family. But they treat me just as their daughter. Her parents call me ‘con’ which is a second person pronoun used when they call their own child in Vietnamese.

8th of Mar

15:00@Newcastle airport

I am waiting for the flight at Newcastle airport. This is going to be a longest journey I’ve ever had. There was a small trouble with my flight ticket. My final destination is Hanoi but the check in machine shows the flight to Hangjing. I have never heard of this city but it sounds like the name of city in China. Both city codes are the same “HAN”. So I couldn’t check in the flight from Bangkok to Hanoi. I have to try to check in at Amsterdam airport again. I hope I can get a seat and arrive at Hanoi airport on time.

I haven’t found a place to stay while I am in Hanoi. But two days ago, one of my Vietnamese friends in Newcastle offered me to stay at her house until I find a place. That was a very sweet offer because I will arrive at Hanoi at night. I’m looking forward to seeing her family soon.

19:30@Amsterdam airport

I had to rush here because boarding of next flight has already started when I arrived at Amsterdam. It was a bit of a pity that I didn’t have time to look around shops which sells cute Holland souvenirs.