First Experience Being an Education Volunteer

I don't know where the thought that moved me to become a volunteer came from, is it because of my background as an education student or something else? I'm not sure. At that time, I only wrote down something I wanted to do in my life in my diary, which was to become an education volunteer. I have started to actively seek information related to organizations and communities that are involved in volunteering through social media, I am also looking for information about how I can join in it. Several times I tried to apply and participate in the selection in the hope that I could be accepted but I failed. In the middle of 2021, I was able to get that opportunity.

Met new friends

       

The activity carried out by one of the social communities operating in 74 regions throughout Indonesia is indeed a pleasure for me because I can meet and get to know new people. The first day at the location, I did feel uncomfortable because maybe I didn't really know each other well enough to seem like a group. But after a few days of spending time with them, we didn't want time to pass quickly, so we wouldn't be separated. In fact, almost every night after the evaluation activities were finished, we always chatted together until late at night. It's really fun to be able to tell stories and share experiences with those who of course have different backgrounds. Especially at that time, I was still in the third semester and didn't have much experience, I learned a lot from the experiences of those who were more senior than me.

            Studying with children in 3T areas

        

Meeting children is certainly not a scary thing, but learning with them where we also have to be tutors for them certainly gives a different impression. Feelings of restlessness and nervousness just appeared because I was afraid that my presence might not be accepted, I was too dull, or something else. The thought suddenly disappeared when my fellow volunteers and I had just stepped into the school gate. They were so enthusiastic when they saw our arrival, they cheered for us, their hands clenched up and jumped even when there was their teacher in class, instantly I couldn't wait to study with them. It's true that during the learning process they were very active in discussion activities and answering questions, even when we held learning activities at the village hall after school, they must have gathered at the village hall about an hour before and always welcomed us to the road when our transport car was seen. Even though they live in 3T areas, it does not make it difficult for them to continue to be enthusiastic about learning to achieve what they expect. Of course, this is what makes us always excited to continue learning with them.

            Learn from the local community

Besides making new friends and knowing how it feels to study with children in 3T areas, I also learn a lot from the people there. The difference in customs and culture is certainly one of the interesting things to know, seeing that we also come from different regions. On the first day, we studied at a coffee plantation because the area is often called a coffee-producing area. Many of the coffee they process has been distributed out of town and even abroad. In addition, we also learned with distributors of Etawa goat's milk, there we learned how to milk Etawa goats and a good time to milk Etawa goats, the milk products are also widely distributed outside the city. After two days of study with entrepreneurs, the next day we learned the history of their regional origins, customs, and culture of traditional food. The people there are also very welcome to our arrival, they always help us while we are there. Even on the last day, the middle-aged mother who owns the house we live in sheds tears when we are going home. It's tough to leave the people who have made us feel comfortable in that place, even one week seems to go by so fast. It was a very extraordinary first experience, I hope we can meet again.