Journey of Love - Indonesia 2012

JOURNEY of

Humanitarian Affairs

DENPASAR, BALI Indonesia 2012

2 / The Journey of Love

Connecting People with Communities in Need

Indonesia 2012 / 3

4 / The Journey of Love

INTRODUCTION

D

iscover the splendour of Indonesia - its 17,000 islands, 300 native ethnicities

and 700 distinct dialects. Rich in nature and culture, Indonesia is globally recognised as a popular holiday destination with some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, mountains and jungle.

...they joined hands to show their valiant spirits and found ways of surviving in the post bombing economic downturn.

What many forget to perceive is that behind this tropical paradise, this image of an island of resorts, lurks abject poverty amongst the very people who are presenting the beauty of their land to the world.

This is Indonesia.

Indonesia has been struggling with issues like poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource distribution among regions. While the country shows some economic growth in recent years, there are still considerable challenges remaining. In a population of 237 million, more than 28 million live below the poverty line. And while Indonesia 2012 / 5

the poverty rate has been falling,

a

over 65 million that live above the

nalists

poverty line are vulnerable of falling

moment as ‘Paradise Lost.’

into poverty at any moment due to

However

the slow pace in poverty reduction.

Indonesians

also

slow

in

growth

comparison growth.

face

dards

have

divide

between

in

economic living

took

stan-

to

the

who

considered

away

from to

hands

the

and

spirits

show

and

economic downturn.

farm workers and fisherman are unable to tap into opportunities offered by economic growth. 95% of people in rural communities remain poor.

To add to their troubles, the Bali bombings of 2010 had ramifications that changed the lives of its people. The tourism sector was gravely affected, and those reliant on tourism revenue suffered. A torrent of grief was unleashed as many died and were injured. The idea of Bali as 6 / The Journey of Love

did

in

a

home

they

joined

their

found

poor

this growth spurt. Small farmers,

locals

Bali

home,

surviving

from

and

fight. With the help of tourists

the

benefitting

this

courage

have-nots has only increased, the scarcely

jour-

referring

the of

and

not allow them to fall without a

improved, haves

vanished

perseverance

very

employment to

While

a

haven

the

post

valiant

ways

of

bombing

TOUCHING HEARTS

H

hub, but soon lose their hearts to the people. Spend-

umanitarian Affairs in looking ing

beyond Indonesia’s paradisiacal

some

quality

time

with

image saw the battered courage of its

the locals has gone on to change

people and the disparity between the

the direction of many lives. Our

poor and the rich. Consequently, we

volunteers

during

decided to encourage volunteerism

experience

all

in Indonesia and revive the spirit of

Indonesia has to offer, but are also

this country. The organisation has put

made to realise a harsh truth. While

together

and

the place serves as an attraction to

compelling volunteer projects, espe-

people the world over, the very

cially in Bali, Indonesia. Our program

locals who live there can scarce

in Indonesia offers a variety of ways

afford

by which volunteers can contribute to

country

humanitarian efforts by caring for

With

abused or disabled children, partici-

volunteers are more than ready

pating in community development and

to

service programs, or teaching at local

the

schools.

offer a chance for them to enjoy life

several

meaningful

Volunteers are usually drawn to Bali in Indonesia for being a tourist

to

the

enjoy

and this

engage poorer

the

its

program

beauty

their

own

attractions.

understanding, in

that

our

activities

with

communities

that

again as they are meant to.

Indonesia 2012 / 7

This is Indonesia.

8 / The Journey of Love

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

S

taying true to the thrust of its motto

of

communities

reaching in

need,

out

to

Humani-

tarian Affairs makes use of its programs

to

benefit

the

local

people. We make sure that its aspect of the program and each activity we conduct supports a certain cause related to the community.

Humanitarian Affairs collaborates with various orphanages in Indonesia to organise meaningful programs for their children to many places of interest. More than 800 children has benefited from our reach-out programs.

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WATER THEME PARK

A

team of 60 Humanitarian Affairs international volunteers paired up with

one to two local Balinese children from an orphanage and took care of their welfare during the trip to the theme park. Both volunteers and the children were truly excited to begin their day. For many children, visiting such a prominent theme park was a once in a lifetime experience which they were very excited to undergo and the volunteers felt like they were reliving their childhood.

Their day was spent exploring the many attractions of the park from its river slides to lazy river activities. Together discovering the water delights created a bridge between the two groups and they learnt how easy it is to communicate with others even if you do not share the same 10 / The Journey of Love

Indonesia 2012 / 11

language, religion or background.

Indonesia. Since the disadvantaged

Our volunteers remarked on seeing

locals can barely afford such expen-

the joyous faces of the children that

sive recreational activities, Humani-

sometimes we tend to overlook

tarian Affairs provides them with

and take for granted simple, plea-

similar opportunities as the ones their

surable

in

more wealthy counterparts enjoy.

today’s fast paced world where one

Our volunteers participated in a

tends to be self-absorbed and lose

special outing with 160 orphaned

connection

around

children and took them for a fun-

them. However, such a visit to the

filled water adventure of river tubing

theme park and the interaction with

and water-rafting.

the children taught our volunteers

Spirits were high and hearts were

moments,

with

responsibility,

especially

others

conscientiousness

and most importantly, the need to appreciate the smaller joys in life.

WATER SPORTS

A

ctivities

like

water

tubing

and water rafting are some of

the newer yet costly attractions in

12 / The Journey of Love

soaring as the volunteers and children felt an adrenaline rush when white water rafting along the Ayung River. Such activities in the water allowed our volunteers to forge a bond with the local children, as they sat in the rafts and tubes together.

Spirits were high and hearts were soaring as the volunteers and children felt an adrenaline rush when white water rafting along the Ayung River.

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MARINE WALK

V

olunteers also brought some

of the most relaxing activities children

local children to experience the

can experience. After all, many tend

Marine Walk. A new experience for

to take a warm bubble bath or hot

most of the volunteers and children,

shower to relax. Similarly, we find

they put on their wetsuits and head-

that water play relieves tension by

gears with nervous excitement as they

encouraging

ventured into the depths of the ocean.

their emotions with all the pouring,

Walking on the ocean floor was a

pounding, and whooshing.

surreal moment for them as they glimpsed of marine life up close.

After

perceiving

to

release

In addition, the children during their time experiencing these wa-

unique

ter sports develop social skills as

ocean life, volunteers spoke to the

they play cooperatively; learn about

children about what they had seen

teamwork and how to share space,

and asked them to name as many

fostering learning in crucial develop-

sea creatures and fish as they could.

mental areas. The volunteers learnt

In this way, the children had a chance

the beauty of bringing happiness

to discover a new realm and learn

and

more about marine life while making

and showed them in this manner

friends in a fun-packed outing.

that each and every one of them

Water play is considered to be one

is special and loved.

14 / The Journey of Love

the

children

joy

into

these

little

lives

Water play is considered to be one of the most relaxing activities children can experience.

This is Indonesia.

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OUR MISSION The mission of Humanitarian Affairs is to empower young

people and facilitate those youth who are passionate about positive social change. The organisation was established with a vision to set an action based example for young people interested in making a difference to those less fortunate than themselves. It aims to translate their intention and ideas into action, and provide comprehensive exposure for the development of well-rounded future leaders.

Humanitarian Affairs seeks to create a drive and sense of purpose in young leaders by equipping them with the rights skills and tools to spark a generation of dynamic individuals paving the way for the larger social good.

This is Indonesia.

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SUSTAINABLE INCOME

A

ctivities that Humanitarian Affairs volunteers experienced with the local communities, such as

Paintball, Bali Bike and the Marine Walk, which were all businesses run by the locals, provided sustainable income to the local community. Humanitarian Affairs provides support to small local businesses so that they can stand on their own feet, something that enhances the life of the people and improves the overall development of the country’s growth and economy.

At the same time we are very aware that the poor and underprivileged lack resources and the means to enjoy the basic joys of life. It is a sad irony that many cannot take pleasure in and partake of the wonders that Indonesia offers to international tourists. So whilst we conduct programs to promote local organisations, we also reach out to the deprived youths and children and offer them a chance of some normality in their misfortune riddled lives.

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This is Indones

sia.

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DISCOVER UBUD

W

e engaged “Bali Bike Baik�, a local Balinese business, to organise a cycling

tour in Ubud so that our young volunteers and the disadvantaged communities from various orphanages around Bali could experience the beauty of their landscape and surroundings.

The two groups cycled alongside one another for 5km as they witnessed the true culture and essence of Bali.

Even the volunteers felt like children as they cheerfully biked past rice terraces and temples, observing traditional Ubud houses, after which they enjoyed mouth-watering local food for lunch. The cycling tour left the volunteers mesmerised by the magical beauty of Bali, and the children got an opportunity to rediscover their land and introduce their culture proudly to the visitors. Many tales of individual countries and experiences were shared, forming a warm bond between the two.

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This is In

ndonesia.

PLAY THERAPY

H

umanitarian

Affairs

emphasises

on such playful yet educational

activities during its volunteer program not just because it is a simple way to have fun.

We realise that play is important for the emotional, social, cognitive and physical development of these children, as essential as education is. In addition to being vital for general health, such forms of play develop life skills for children and communication skills when interacting with peers, family members and towards strangers as well. We are opening up sport and fun activities to these underprivileged children who lack access to such play opportunities which is a developmentally crucial component of childhood.

We expose our volunteers to every aspect of undergoing volunteer work through different means so that they Indonesia 2012 / 23

understand that big or small, each gesture of goodwill makes a difference to the lives of the needy. Volunteers were especially proud to wear the HA t-shirts provided by the organisation. These were specially designed for our volunteers and purchased from an organisation started by the widows of the Bali bombings. Each brightly coloured shirt therefore served as a symbol of hope and love for the Balinese community, and in this way the volunteers felt like they too were actively a part of a movement to do greater good. By exposing the delegates to the tragic circumstances of such women, we enlighten them to a world beyond where they too can play a part.

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BALI CHILDREN FOUNDATION

H

umanitarian Affairs also works with the Bali Children Foundation, who focus on providing quality educa-

tion for the disadvantaged children in Bali. Sharing a similar ideology as us, they believe that educating their children is the key to building a brighter future. Together with the Foundation, a fun day of activities at the lavish Canggu Country Club was organised by the volunteers for the children from the Foundation.

Brenton Whittaker, the founder of the Foundation, personally welcomed the volunteers to the club and introduced them to the local children who would be their playmates for the day. The volunteers immediately got into organising mode and put their planning and communication skills to the test by facilitating all the outdoor games in a manner that would be enjoyed by their little friends. They managed to organise activities such as volleyball, basketball and even successfully coordinated an array of water games in the swimming pool. By the end, their efforts bore fruit since the children thoroughly enjoyed their day as well as the company.

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This is Indonesia. ...they believe that educating their children is the key to building a brighter future.

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However, our volunteers’ experi-

the kitchen and the team spent the

ences encompass a lot more since

afternoon chopping vegetables, mari-

we expose them to different aspects

nating chicken and preparing noodles

of the community’s culture. Bali’s

to feed about 700 individuals. They

vibrant people and culture ensure

managed to work together to cook

that evenings and weekends are as

up a delectable meal that was highly

enriching as the local volunteer

cherished by the villagers.

projects. The volunteers during the program were warmly invited by a local Balinese community to join them

THE EXPEREINCE

from the Desa Mendoyo Pauh Takud

T

Village organised traditional Indone-

thing constructive for those who are

sian games and activities as well as

deprived, we gathered them togeth-

a cultural sharing session, especially

er to distribute provisions of rice,

for our young leaders.

cooking oils, biscuits, sugar, milk and

for some fun festivities. The villagers

These activities exposed the volunteers to the culture of Bali and taught them about the local customs and practices. They also learnt to appreciate local culture as they listened and joyously danced to the music played

o make the volunteer witness the joy that comes with doing some-

other essential food supplies to 450 families in the village. Our volunteers also had the opportunity to offer their physical strength in aid of the village in constructing a house for a slum dweller whose house had collapsed.

by a traditional Balinese group. Such

Volunteers

an acute bond was created that when

together to carry wood, gravel and

it was nearing lunchtime, the volun-

sand to strengthen the house’s foun-

teers themselves offered to prepare

dation and also built proper flooring

lunch for the entire village. Each

for the new home. While this task was

volunteer was delegated a role in

not an easy one and drained many of

28 / The Journey of Love

tirelessly

worked

the volunteers, they felt a sense of accomplishment in the knowledge that the family that the house was intended for can live more comfortably with a roof over their heads.

Volunteerism is indeed an act of value in Indonesian culture for both natives and foreigners alike. Rich in culture and beauty of its land and people, this island nation will take hold of your heart. Volunteers here find themselves feeling useful and engaged, mentally, culturally and physically.

By volunteering, you’ll have the opportunity to truly absorb yourself into one of the world’s most exquisite and exotic places. And, by doing so, you’ll leave this tropical island with more a true insight into Indonesian society, culture, and an experience that you’ll never forget.

Whether it be cooking for locals or spending time giving love to children from orphanages, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference and contribute to society and bring joy to the forgotten people of Indonesia.

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Connecting People with Communities in Need

Writer : Anam Hamid Layout : Pixelkeet速