OCIP trip to Batam, Indonesia (cont.5)

Day 6

In the morning, when we reached the orphanage, the kids were expecting us again with their unforgettable smiles. One of the kids, Wahyu, immediately came over to greet us excitedly. We then remembered that today is our last day and we will not see the kids anymore.

One of the kids was really happy when we arrived

 We then set off to prepare for our construction work. We started by first hacking and removing the soil in order to level the ground in front of the house. It was hard work but every single one of us contributed. We split into two different groups, one in charge of hacking the ground, while the other is in charge of removing the soil. The latter formed a human chain to increase the efficiency, which proved that teamwork does play an important role in our everyday lives.

Hacking and removing the soii

Passing buckets of soil

Pouring the soil to the nearby area

In the afternoon, we went to visit the orphanage, where most of them live. One of the orphanage kids, Pikki, led us around the orphanage, and showed us their living quarters. The condition that they were living in was beyond our disbelief. The way they dispose their waste is very unhygienic and may pose a threat to the people living in the orphanage. Pikki also showed us many other places, such as the rehabilitation centre, the prayer rooms, and their own rooms. The room was clearly not properly kept clean and unsuitable for children to live in. At that moment, our heart went out to them, and we realized how hard their lives have been. Pikki also mentioned to us that there was a thunderstorm yesterday, and that one of the roof has collapsed. The trees were also uprooted and the place was in a mess.

After lunch, we went back to building the wall until 3.30pm. When we finished our building, we felt a sense of accomplishment and felt satisfied that we had done something for the community over there in Batam. The feeling we felt was indescribable, and there really was a stark contrast to when we first started building it. After that, we went in for one last dance together with the children. It was then where we realized how hard it would be to part with them. It was an enjoyable experience where everyone had fun, and we knew that we could not get it anywhere else. We said our goodbyes and well wishes. Some of them asked if we were going to come back, and many of us had to fight back our tears, and put a strong front until we left.

Passing the bricks to build the wall

Builiding the wall using cement and bricks

We learnt many lessons today while building and bonding with the children. We learn to persevere as the hacking of the ground was really tough and we took a lot of time to level the ground properly. From leaving the kids, we learn to let go of our bonds with them. The feelings are inevitable, but we learn to be strong when a challenge confronts us. There really is no other way about doing it, except to do the best you can.

Dancing 'Waka Waka' with the kids

One of the kids was crying when we were about to leave

The 5th Saints Advocate and the kids at the orphanage 

We plan to gain inspiration from this OCIP trip and bring across the message to the students in SAJC. One way that we came up with was actually to have a simulation of the conditions that we saw in Batam. This is to allow the students in SAJC to better understand the hardships that they have to go through, and learn to appreciate the life that we have right now.

Sharing our inspirations during debrief

 Overall, this OCIP had been a meaningful experience and one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We gained a lot of meaningful lessons while at the same time strengthening the friendship within the FIFTH. We will apply what we learnt in this OCIP in our Advocates’ journey so as to become a better servant leaders and community builders.

The end of our project

By Chua Perh Nian, Stanley Ivan Alexander and Vincent Setiawan

5th Saints Advocate

OCIP trip to Batam, Indonesia (cont.4)

Day 5

We set off to the orphanage after our breakfast. When we reached the orphanage, the children were already there waiting. We continued our construction work of leveling the rest of ground. The construction work was not an easy job as it required lots of physical strength to mix the cement with sand and the mental strength to keep on going.

Mixing the cement

Leveling the floor

After leveling the ground, we went around the village for a tour while waiting for the cement to dry. We realized that the structure of the houses around the orphanage is very similar to the land properties in Singapore except that it is not as well furnished. There was a provision shop and we bought some food there such as crackers and iced green tea which only cost 10 cents in Singapore.

Walking around the village

Sitting in front of the provision shop 

The kids in the village

Afternoon. We had the opportunity to interview one of the core staff of the orphanage. He shared about how the orphanage was purely non-profit and how he was inspired by a religious professor. They had come a long way from overcoming challenges both internally and externally-management of the students as well as resistance from the neighbouring village regarding the setting up of the orphanage. The calamity and humbleness of the assistant manager, coupled with his determination and perseverance of expanding the orphanage, were heartwarming and  touching for all of us. He also mentioned about his hopes for the children as well as the immediate plans for the orphanage. The emphasis on providing a solid education for the children was something that caught my attention as it reflected his selflessness and his unwavering dedication to the social cause of providing basic needs for those that are less advantaged in society.

The assistant manager of the orphanage

After the interview we continued with the building. We learnt how to construct the wall using bricks and cement. What struck us was the creativity of the workers in using the system of strings to ensure that the wall would be correctly leveled. It was simple yet extremely effective. This made us realize how simple but innovative ideas could have a large impact.

Constructing the wall with bricks and cement

Carrying the extra cement to the bridge

Sarah, one of the kids in the village

Our debrief session is about whether or not overseas CIP trip is more or less meaningful than local CIP trip. We had a discussion in a form of debate with proposition and opposition. Through this session, we learn that OCIP trips do have their benefits and limitations. The session also allows us to see the different perspectives and explore and reason how the differing opinions could come to fruition.

Discussion in the form of debating

Sitting in a circle for discussion during debrief

By Claudia Lim Jo-Ee, Ye Jingxuan and Nur Aqilah

5th Saints Advocate

OCIP trip to Batam, Indonesia (cont.3)

Day 4

Today marks the fourth day of the Fifth Saints’ Advocate OCIP trip! Yay!

Firstly, in the morning we leveled the floor. Next, we played with the children before lunch. During lunch break, we had a chat with one of the adults who stayed in the orphanage. Soon, I was off for the colouring lessons with the children and my CCA mates.

During the building session, when we leveled the floor, the work was hard. However, teamwork, cheering from the other Advocates and Teachers were the real morale boost to the others and I who were working under the hot sun in the morning!

Making cement to level the floor

Passing buckets of cements to plaster the floor  

Plastering the floor

When we were playing the games with the children in the morning, I realized that the children were respectful to us. The older boys there were really polite and gentle in their gestures and despite our communication barriers, we managed to communicate smoothly, regarding rules and regulations of volleyball and captain’s ball.

Moreover, I realised that the children cared for each other and always kept a lookout for each other despite the large age gap. There was a kid crying. A teenager stopped what he was doing and went to comfort him.

Playing an Indonesian traditional game

After that, we had lunch. It was a simple meal but we had a great time with the company of everyone. We had a chat with one of the residents. We learnt that he had been smoking since he was ten. Later, we found out that because cigarettes are cheap in Indonesia. Thus, there is mass advertising of smoking which leads to the popularity of smoking in Indonesia.

We also managed to chat with Sarah, one of the children living in the village nearby. She mentioned that she wanted to be a doctor in order to earn money to build houses and a swimming pool for her mother, sister and herself. She also mentioned that poor people cannot have a house. It is a wonder that a child at the age of six can have such deep thoughts. It makes us wonder whether children are truly as innocent and as ignorant as they seem.

In the middle of the photo: Sarah

After the chatting session, we had some free time to play with the children. Some Advocates chose to sleep as they were too exhausted. However, I decided to play with the children. Playing with the children reminded of my own childhood. It made me think back on all of my memories and I became nostalgic.  Moreover, the enthusiasm of the children was really infectious and I felt my weariness turned into enthusiasm as I continued to play with them.

I also learnt from these children how to be more open and welcoming to people, especially those whom I have recently met. Unlike me who would not be so warm to an acquaintance, the children were very warm and welcoming to us.  If such small children could be so friendly, why couldn’t I? Thus, I told myself that when I return to Singapore, I will be more welcoming to the new people I meet.

During lesson time, it was obvious that some children shared their things with others willingly while some did not. It was a good opportunity to understand their different personalities. However, most children were friendly to one another and were not hesitant in correcting each others’ mistakes.

I hope after this OCIP trip, I will appreciate the construction workers and kindergarten teachers as I had experienced what it is like to do their work. In addition, I hope that I will be more grateful to my parents as they care a lot for me.

By Narthana Anandan and Yurun Lin

5th Saints Advocate

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