We started the set up at Tsung Tsin Christian Academy at 2 pm where we were warmly welcomed by Jenny, the LC Coordinator of the school. Jenny had arranged everything we needed from the venue to logistics support. Our logistics had arrived safely in Hong Kong. It was now time to begin the set up.
When doing the set up, we had to consider a few factors – Would our HongKong colleagues be able to understand us? Especially Najeeb ….whose Cantonese lessons had gone somewhat awry. The only words he picked up were… ‘Lei Hou Lang’ (You are beautiful) and trying his luck with random HK girls (He hasn’t had any luck yet)
Fortunately, we had printed out Chinese versions of the entire LC Cycle. The Chinese version covered vital LC terms such as AOC, CF, Dialogue, and Reflection More importantly, it also gave a brief overview of the actual LC Cycle and an authentic LC project by St Anthony’s Canossian Primary (SACPS). This would most definitely benefit our Cantonese speaking audience and provide them with some idea of the LC process.
We also thought that it would be great if our HK colleagues knew more about our education system and the type of work we do in TN. So our set up included a mini TN Booth where we proudly displayed TN’s VMV. A full list of TN programmes and services (TWA, LC, Workshops, TC, Publications. Chinese versions of course) was also displayed neatly.
We realized that letting our HK counterparts know about TN would be mutually beneficial. (Future partners for TC 2010? –with TC potentially going international in 2010? More sources for overseas TWA?). The possibilities for deepening present partnerships and building new ones was truly infinite. We drooled at the prospects - One booth. Many potential partnerships. The amazing power of leverage.
The key question…’How do we make our HK colleagues actually read the booth during their tea break?’ What would make someone on a workshop to read a booth display? In capitalist Hong Kong (and pretty much anywhere else in the world), the answer is simple. Lure your audience with prizes and goodies. So one of our strategies was to have a short quiz for the participants after the tea break.
Participants who answered correctly would be given a TWA pencil or a limited edition (that’s what they would be told anyway) OLive post it pad. Even the prizes carry the TN programmes (TWA, OLive). The prizes may be tokenistic but the participants would always remember TN.(Speak of a marketing gimmick!) The quiz would also act as an energizer after the break. (Just imagine the participants rushing to answer questions about TN to get their hands on the limited edition OLive post-it pads and the highly coveted TWA pencils!)
Beyond just telling our participants about TN, we also felt that it be useful to inform our participants about the larger Singapore educational landscape. This would provide them some background information and context. We planned to show the MOE corporate video and planned to give the MOE corporate brochures (these are the latest versions which CCD so generously let us use) to anyone who wanted to find out more.
It was close to 7.30 pm by the time we finished our set up. Despite the long day and not having taken any dinner, we did not feel tired nor hungry. We had greater issues to worry about.
On our way home, several thoughts ran through our minds, ‘Would our HK teachers understand us? Would they fall for our marketing gimmick? Would too many teachers rush to answer the questions? Were we prepared for the chaos? Would Hong Kong know about TN? Most importantly, would Najeeb finally get lucky?
Another long and exciting day beckons tomorrow. Join us in our HK adventure. Watch this space.
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