▲Who said we haven’t got courage?! Reaping the Courage Field in Summer School
In the afternoon of September 15th, gama-island, Gamania’s very own employee restaurant swarmed in dozens of college students. Unlike other students, they’re quite ready to settle down and wait for the school to start but chatted to one another about their courageous challenges and adventures that took place in the Summer School—their most precious reward for the summer of 2011!
▲The result show of the 3rd Annual Summer School was held in the employee restaurant in Gamania.
The 3rd Annual Summer School result show invited few distinguished guests to the scene, including the host, local celebrity Ms. Tsai Chamder, deputy Commissioner of Social Welfare Department of New Taipei City Government, Ms. Lee, Mei-Zhen, Chairman of the Foundation, Albert, CEO of the Foundation, Ah-Bin and Spokesperson of Summer School, Tommy Chen. The event started with a documentary film of one of the key events for this summer, “Courage” showing everyone the journey these members had sailing on this wind-propelled sailboat from Hong Kong to Taiwan. We could see how these members went through 3 difficult days of challenge: seasick, vomit, feeling weak, missing Taiwanese food and can’t even stand still. What’s worse, they had to sail through Typhoon!
▲One of the crew members of Gamania Courage, Ah-Bin shared his sailing experience with everyone.
▲Deputy Commissioner of Department of Social Welfare of New Taipei City, Ms. Lee also graced the event with her presence.
▲Host Ah-De and celebrity Tommy encouraged kids to maintain the passion and enthusiasm.
▲Members watched the documentary of Gamania Courage.
The audiences couldn’t help but marveled at the courage these crew members exhibited merely by watching the film. When the host, Chamder came on stage to share her own “Journey of Courage”, we felt extremely moved listening. Before the boat set off, the crew heard some rumors about the typhoon, but the captain turned off the radio and minded everyone not to dwell on typhoon. Fierce wind, rain and wave pounding hard on the Courage, some people even fell off the bed because of it. When the sailboat safely arrived in Kaohsiung Harbor, the rumor about the typhoon was then verified! One of the members, Chen-Huan declared with confidence, “Sailing on Courage from Hong Kong to Taiwan, batting against Typhoon really was the most severe challenge I’ve encountered in my life. I believe with this experience, I could get through almost all kind of challenges and tasks in life!“
Wei-Zhi, Tsan-Shuan and Ivy were on duty when the typhoon was closest, they waited on the deck for ages but the next shift didn’t come up. They later found out the shift could barely stand straight due to the heavy storm. Tsan-Shuan told everyone about her fear, “Our sail was broken, we’re all drenched, haven’t eaten anything in hours. We’re tired, hungry and cold. I almost gave up, wanted to let go. I could barely hold the helm but I stuck to it and it’s all because I thought of my partners in the cabin.”It was the true meaning of team spirit–the courage to stick up for others that moved every audience at the scene.
▲Member Zhi-Yun performed a rap piece he wrote for Summer School.
During the sharing session, the host was amazed at how these kids actually thought of “others” first instead of “self.” When everyone speaks of the changes taken place whether in the Courage or the school service in remote towns, they thanked their partners and others’ contribution and didn’t mention a word about their own! It seems like each one of them proved that their courageous post e-generation. They have all found their perfect positions through collaborating and helping one another.
▲Albert quietly made his way to the result show and listened to everyone’s sharing.
Tommy: Keep the passion going, remember that moment in time
As an adventurist as well as the spokesperson of Summer School, Tommy thought about himself at young age after hearing everyone’s sharing. He majored in physical education and seemed to miss many interesting activities and programs such as this. Now he listened to everyone shared their precious experience with such conviction in their eyes and confident tone of voice, he reminded everyone, “You must remember what moved you at that moment in time. This may fade away as time goes by, but you need to figure out a way to keep the passion going!” Tommy also encouraged the youngsters, “To learn to have a dialogue with yourself, the best way is to go to the Nature. Being one with Nature will let you understand more about yourself. ”
▲During the result show, Ah-Bin and Tommy shared their thoughts on the process of doing the challenge.
▲Tommy signing autographs for everyone.