We were lucky to be invited to the Dungguan Annual Dinner this year. Spouses do not normally attend, but our hosts graciously included me in several of the invitations.
Dungguan is city in mainland China about an hour and a half train ride from Hong Kong. It is the site of a manufacturing facility Steelcase runs where most of the Asian products are produced. Many or most of the workers are considered migrant workers meaning they are not from Dungguan but from other parts of China. Quite often these are rural workers who move to the cities to find more opportunity. Because this makes up most of the work force, companies provide room and board as part of worker compensation. Therefore, these people work together during the day and live together at night. Because of this, there are many opportunities for group activities and performing which were shown off beautifully throughout the evening.
Wishing Fortune and Prosperity Brightens Your Year of the Snake.
We had four hosts who did an admirable job presenting the evening in two languages. I am always amazed at the ease with which they can switch from Cantonese to English and back.
As is always the case, the food was plentiful and delicious. The carrot temple was a work of art.
And the conversation lively.
Following dinner the entertainment began. There were dance groups, skits and individual performers. Everyone who performed was an employee or in a few cases children of employees.
One of my favorite numbers featured the children of the employes. A young man played a beautiful piece of music on his violin while two groups of young girls danced. It was a sweet and beautiful moment.
Another big part of the night is the Lucky Draw. I love this tradition. All of the workers are given a number and throughout the evening guests are invited to come up on stage and pick some lucky numbers for the prizes to be awarded. Most of the prizes are cash, but there were also some appliances and a big screen TV up for grabs. First to draw was our friend Zing.
She pulled a group of winners from the "magic" box.
Perhaps the most impressive bit of entertainment during the evening was a group of men and women who read a poem. What made this so impressive was the fact that one year ago these workers could not speak any English. In their off time, workers who were fluent in English tutored them. They met several evenings a week and within one year were able to perform a group recitation. Many of these workers had not been around English speakers prior to joining Steelcase which makes it all the more astounding.
Group photos were being taken throughout the evening.
Next it was ken's turn to do some Lucky Draws. He had a nice group of winners who were all thankful for his "choices."
Another dance group heralded the arrival of the God of Fortune. He comes with the new year and gives gifts to all in the hopes of bringing good fortune throughout the new year.
And for those of us from the U.S., there was even a familiar sight to bring us smiles.
Every variety show needs a hula dancer in drag to provide some huge laughs.
There was one final song and the last and biggest lucky draw equal to 6 months wages.
A few more photo ops (including our choice for "shirt of the evening"), a group photo with a sampling of the workers and then off to Hong Kong.
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