Selvie's Reflection

Being part of TOOP Yunnan made me realise that it is the passion and heart to serve and help that really matters. This whole service learning was not like any other service learning that i had had before-things did not go as smoothly as i thought it would be. We started from planning, raising fund, discussing the programmes, pilot test and when we were ready to go, the school did not give the green light due to the H1N1 pandemics. Then, we decided to go to Balai yet it was so unfortunate that a ferry sank, so again we had no choice but to cancel the trip. Nevertheless, it is our passion to serve that keep us going and made the one day Balai trip possible.

Although, the trip is really really short as we only spent less than 5 hours in the village, I indeed learnt valuable lessons from it. When we had just reached the village and had lunch with the children, there was this thought that struck me. Being an Indonesian myself, It struck me when I realise that those children that we were going to help and interact with are just like any other underprivileged children that I often found in parts of Jakarta. Honestly, I had never had the thought to help those children and i guess it is mainly due to my upbringing that made me thought that the chinese Indonesian and the native Indonesian are not related and majority (at least in the place where I stay) do not really care about each other. In short, we are just so segregated. I kind of felt the irony that when there are needy children around me I do not bother to help them but when i am so far from them, I allocate a time to take a trip down to their village just to interact and help them. at first, it was awkward to me but after a while i found out that the people there are so warm hearted! The children were so enthusiastic in interacting with us, the villagers welcome us and allow us to take a closer look to their lives. It dawned on me that I should start helping those needy around me and encourage my community to do so too-helping others despite our differences!

Besides, i also touched by the strong community spirit that they have. The people there know almost everyone in their village and for them having friends around them is something that makes life their colourful and enjoyable. It is very different to our society, where people are so ignorant to others around them. Indeed, we need to learn to appreciate simple things in our lives from them and we may have a better and happier lives just like them who live happily and comfortably despite lacking in material comforts.