From "Festival Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar",,, To Be Continued

I never thought that my life will take part in some positive action, Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar. It started about 2 weeks ago, my friend Sandra, one of the Pengajar Muda, contacted me and asked me to become a facilitator in Festival Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar (FGIM) on 5-6 October 2013. Since I still have education expo to attend on 5/10, I agreed to help on 6/10.

I was part of Kelas Orientasi (Orientation Class), where we introduce FGIM to visitors. The concept of FGIM itself was to create learning tools for schools in remote areas throughout Indonesia. We called it "Kerja Bakti" (working together) to create and send various learning tools that covers various subjects. Puzzles, books, videos and even encourage letters were created by thousands volunteers and ready to send. AMAZING!!!

What was good about this program? People registered themselves, paid the registration fee, and come to FGIM with spirit to help kids in remote area get better education. They will have learning tools to help them achieve their dreams, all made by volunteers. 

Well you can read about FGIM in internet. It was a big buzz. I would like to dedicate this post to my fellow volunteers at Kelas Orientasi. I could only participate on 6/10, so I have no idea about the crowd. From quick briefing, I had an image about the crowd we will deal with. My shift was 1000 - 1200 WIB. I was with Haykal and Tata in Kelas Orientasi 3.

Facilitators from Kelas Orientasi 3 left to right: me, Haykal, Tata

After we shared our duties, we were ready to welcome volunteers to FGIM. First 1 hour, it was Haykal's turn to be presenter. Next one was me. Basically, me and Haykal didn't stop talking for 2 hours!!!! Volunteers came like a tsunami in those hours. I admired how people very enthusiast to help each other.

Our shift was over, I decided to wander around the venue, considering what activities I could join. First, I chose Keping Pedia. The committees prepare a poster that need to be cut into puzzles and wrote a simple message to encourage students to study hard so they can achieve their dreams.

Next one, Surat Semangat. We wrote a letter directly to students in selected schools. Basically, we want to students know that lots of people pray for them and help them to achieve their dreams. On the envelope, we were asked to wrote down our address so the students can reply directly to us if they want to. Sorry no picture because too focus to wrote the letter hehehe.

I walked around the venue and took pictures of inspiration stories. While I read it, I felt my eyes got teary. I admired the spirits of teachers, students and also stakeholders to keep their spirit high to study despite their limitations.

Me and my fellow facilitators spent time with took pictures here and there. We even managed to had a picture with Pak Anies Baswedan, initiator of Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar. 

After FGIM, it didn't mean our togetherness also ended. We continue our interaction in WhatsApp group. This group was created to coordination between facilitator. Turns out, the craziest and loudest group!!! I enjoy every moment with them and hope to meet them again. So far, missed several occasions, but I'm sure I can meet them again. 

Thank you all!!!