Anh Giàu

2 comments

by Ghani Ibrahim

My tour of duty on Pulau Bidong started in 1989.  I was an English teacher for 6 months before I was tasked to setup business studies course (was it ‘Kế Toán Thương Mại) for the next 3 years.  I still remember my Vietnamese teachers – Mr. Hung, Mr. Duc, Mr. Kiet, Ms. Pham, Ms. Phuong, and Ms. Ma, who lectured in my classes – Introduction to Economy, Account, Marketing, and Management.

We had a good time. I still remember how our open day was well organized by our teachers and the classes were fully booked within first hour.  Then came the graduation ceremonies, filled with songs, dances and of course speeches. The surprised birthday party they threw for me and the hand-made embroidered pillow case still hung on my wall till today.

I still remember the melody of songs we sang during those formal and informal functions. I was given Vietnamese name by them – “Anh Giàu” (might misspelled) which means ‘rich brother’?

For your information, I went to Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) many times since I joined this Salam Malaysia Foundation.  We started with two projects; to build capacity of Art and Culture Department in Hanoi University and assist homeless children project in HCM City.

I wish I had Vietnamese speaking people to practice the language, I was once spoke.

By the way, how did you trace my existence? I have been wanting to get in touch with ex-Bidong, whether refugees or workers for old time sake and to know how they are doing. And if I can get some news of my former students, it would an answered prayer.

Ghani Ibrahim
 ghani@salam.org.my

Posted with permission from the author.
Ghani sent the above article to Lamvi Dao on August 08th, 2008