Photoausstellung Saigon

Ich bin jetzt seit fast 2 Wochen in Saigon, der pulsierenden Wirtschaftsmetropole Vietnams. Meine Eindrücke und Gedanken nach 8 Jahren hierher zurückzukehren, fanden ihren Weg in meine erste Photoausstellung im SOZO (http://sozocentre.com), einem Café im Herzen Saigons, dass seinen Profit Hilfsprojekten zur Verfügung stellt.
Die Ausstellung ist zweigeteilt, in einen Saigon Impressionen Teil und einem Teil, der meinen Besuch bei dem Altenheimhilfsprojekt wiederspiegelt. Ihr könnt die Photos der Ausstellung betrachten, wenn ihr folgenden Links folgt: Saigon Impressionen oder Altenheimprojekt

Ich hatte noch keine Zeit den Beschreibungstext der Photos ins Deutsche zu übersetzen, hier also vorerst die englischen Fassungen für den Saigon- und Altenheimbesuchteil. Wenn sich ein freiwilliger findet sie zu übersetzen, wäre ich sehr dankbar ;-)

Impressions of Saigon

It has been 8 years ago since I've been back in Vietnam and I could barely recognize the streets which once had been so familiar to me. I was travelling from the far north to south until I reached Saigon (HCMC) where the changes are evident in each corner I turned. Everyday life was still on the streets. Numerous street kitchens, mobile food vendors and people having their breaks anywhere possible still depict the way of Vietnamese urbanisation, however there were new flavours - some delicious, some bitter – simmering in the melting pot of Saigon. Walking through Saigon I could not miss the signs of wealth and consumption. Big advertisement in front of shiny skyscrapers trying to tell me what I need to enrich my life. Ludicrously expensive shops, where I was not even allowed to photograph in front of the shops, provide luxurious products for tourists and wealthier Vietnamese. The economic success and the personal wealth liberated a part of Vietnamese society from the struggle to survive. I hope that people take on their responsibilities towards our society and environment since they have the power to make changes. In my opinion it seems to be difficult to grow the awareness towards society and environment of people who struggle to survive; paradoxically I have the impression that it is even worse with the richer part of society. I saw German style litter bins next to Vietnamese waste collecting carts, which are pushed by woman who sweep the streets. There's nearly no need for a recycling system because people sort the waste in search for material - aluminium, plastic, paper - which they could sell to big companies to make a living. I know that my folk are very concerned with their personal environment and the air pollution, thus you encounter people on motorbikes who wear mouth covers. I am concerned that it is solely on an individual level and not a concern for the whole environment. The Vietnamese government “educates” people through their own kind of signs. Fading HIV advertisement have today an artistic value but no real impact on Vietnamese youth, who barely know anything about AIDS. The presence of media is everywhere but I haven't seen any Vietnamese AIDS ads in TV. It would increase the awareness largely since the television is running most of the day in Vietnamese homes. Next to a huge construction site for yet another skyscraper I would find another evidence for change. The traditional Rickshaw driver is replaced by new transportation – such as “Xe Om” (Motorbike cabs), buses, taxis – and still exists only to please the tourist who likes to experience a different way of transportation. It is even forbidden for Rickshaws, but not for bicycles, to drive on main roads in Saigon because the governor likes to show a modern Saigon. The contrast is even more evident as I was waiting for a Rickshaw driver to pass in front of a shiny hotel with a porter. Saigon is definitely not the place for the tourist who seeks for an untouched place in Vietnam. He is welcomed with western style cafés and bars which have perfectly accommodated to tourism. The gentleman in shorts was even not bothered by street vendors approaching him every 2 minutes and developed a counting game while he was sunbathing. He told me that he counts how often he refuses the offers of one vendor. At the point of writing his record is seven refusals. It was quite entertaining to observe him counting and even more funny as he requested the country of origin from any tourist passing him. I do not condemn tourism, I see that it is a way to help people to help themselves and I hope that there will be more projects like “SOZO” which return the profits to the people in need.

The elderly home project

I was visiting one oft the two elderly home, a social project run by Vietnamese students, in July 2008. Every two weeks a group of 10 to 15 students gather and bring some presents - such as fruit or milk - to one of the elderly homes. They assist the staff in practical things such as preparing the lunch, however their highest merit is spending time with the elderly people by sitting next to them and listen to their talks as well as telling them stories of their lives. The visit left me with an ambivalent feeling. On the one hand I was overwhelmed by the warmth of the elderly people and their gratitude towards the students, because they met the elders needs of communication and interaction. Solely being with them and conversing on a regular basis helped to increase their confidence to live. On the other hand I was sad because I saw their physical and mental suffering. Speaking to them revealed that most of their relatives had passed away and their remaining children were not able to support them. Thus there would be seldomly anybody who visits and socialises with them. More visible signs of affliction is their physical pain caused by lying wounds or untreated diseases. Technically it would be feasible to treat the diseases, however there is a lack of funds to pay for the necessary operations.
If you are not constrained by time just stay another day and get in touch with the SOZO staff and their projects. It's worth for you and for the elderly to purchase one of the jewellery which are unique items made by the community. I am grateful that you already make a change by eating here and I hope that you will spread the word.