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.
Indonesia 2012 / 9
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.
Indonesia 2012 / 13
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. Indonesia 2012 / 15
16 / The Journey of Love
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.
Indonesia 2012 / 17
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.
18 / The Journey of Love
This is Indones
sia.
Indonesia 2012 / 19
20 / The Journey of Love
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. Indonesia 2012 / 21
22 / The Journey of Love
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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Indonesia 2012 / 25
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. 26 / The Journey of Love
This is Indonesia. ...they believe that educating their children is the key to building a brighter future.
Indonesia 2012 / 27
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. Indonesia 2012 / 29
Connecting People with Communities in Need
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