OCIP trip to Batam, Indonesia (cont.2)

Day 3

After a hearty breakfast, we set off to the orphanage. When we got there, we split into the building and teaching groups and started doing the tasks that we were allocated to. For the building team, we continued with our usual practice of making cement and plastering the walls. We got better at it as compared to the previous two days. 

For the teaching team, we had sports lessons today. We started off with ice breaking games like whacko. Initially, we were uncertain on whether the kids would cooperate with us but we came to realize that our worries were for nothing as they participated actively. We also played H2O where we observed how caring the children were towards each other such as when the older children took good care of the younger ones.

Playing Whacko

Playing H2O

We then had lunch and interacted with the children. We were much closer to the kids as compared to when we first met them. However at the same time, as we got closer to the children, we started to worry about how the children would feel after we left. Will they feel abandoned? Nonetheless, we will still appreciate each and every moment we have with the kids.

Playing an Indonesian childhood game

One memorable experience today was when we were picking the litter on the ground before we left. Picki, a kid from the orphanage, was curious about what we were doing. After demonstrating to him (despite the language barrier) using hand languages on how to clear the litter, he was able to pick up what was conveyed. His enthusiasm told us that it was not because that the children did not want to throw their rubbish properly but that they were not taught and that they did not have proper dustbins to dispose their litter.

As a team, we decide that we are going to conduct a session where we are going to inculcate good habits such as proper disposal of rubbish and sharing of toys tomorrow. 

Hopefully the next few days will be even more fun, fulfilling and enriching! 

By Loh Yi Ting, Rachael Ng Zhi Jun, Liang Qian Hong

5th Saints Advocate

OCIP trip to Batam, Indonesia (cont)

Day 2

From a fifth advocate's journal

"Dear journal,

'Selamat pagi' (good morning)! We said it out loud and waved at the children under the bright morning sun. Smiling broadly, the children waved back at us. I told myself it would be a smooth day ahead. I was very excited as today was our first time to teach the children.

Walking to the construction site

In the morning, some of us had the chance to teach the children geography and simple dance lessons. The rest of us were to do construction work like plastering the cement. Although plastering the cement sounds like a simple task,  it was actually quite challenging to make the cement stick nicely and smoothly on the wall. We did not do it right at first but we pressed on and were able to finish the task ahead of time. Although it may sound cliche, we came to understand the wise saying 'Practice makes perfect' more deeply. At the same time, we appreciated the work of construction workers more as the seemingly little things that they do matter.

Plastering cement on the wall

Lunchtime, to me, was the most exciting time because of not only the food but also the fact that all of us could play games with the children. We were really impressed by how they played happily with the simple things that they had from rubber bands to styrofoam cups. On the contrary, we are always uttering 'I am bored' while we have more things to play than they do. We realize that sometimes we are so busy finding happiness in the pursuit of materials that we forget to find joy within ourselves and everything we have.

Playing with the kids

Finding the locations of the countries

Selamat makan

We ended off the day after finishing plastering half of the room. Looking at what we have done, I could not help smiling proudly. I knew that I had made right choice to go on this trip."

By Nguyen Linh Lan
5th Saints Advocate  

OCIP trip to Batam, Indonesia

Day 1

After we had reached the orphanage, the tour guide led us around the area. We noticed that almost every child was relatively skinny and the conditions of the orphanage were poor. For example, the huge fan in their cramped room was full of dust and was not airy. This made us feel guilty of taking our comfortable homes for granted. On a bright note, this has taught us to be more appreciative of our good living conditions we are blessed with and nurture our empathy towards these children, giving us greater motivation to bring about positive changes in their community. 

After that, we were led to the construction site where we will be building an orphanage. The builder briefed us on how we should make cement and plaster it on the wall. 

Making cement at the construction site

Plastering cement on the wall

Cleaning the equipment

We went on to distribute our tasks in order to complete today’s work efficiently. Although it was physically demanding, we worked together and persevered, as well as reminding one another to have frequent water breaks. This taught us to step out of our comfort zones and cooperate with one another. Teamwork was indeed most important during the course of work as cooperating with one another well ensured efficiency and work quality.

Interacting with one of the orphans 

Despite our flagging spirits after plastering cement on the wall, we enjoyed our day as it was worth our efforts

After we had our dinner, we gathered together to discuss about our team goals and precautions that we should take. Eventually, we came up with three key goals for the team. The first one is to help the community, hoping to bring smiles and provide more knowledge to the children, as well as finishing the new orphanage. In addition, we aim to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order to distribute tasks more efficiently while building relationships, ensuring that nobody is left out. (including non-OCIP troopers) Last but not least, we hope to increase efficiency by being on task and have this sense of urgency, striving to give out best in helping the orphanage.

Overall, it was an eye-opening and fulfilling experience for us.

By Kwee Si Min, Grace @ Guo Jia Wen
5th Saints Advocate