Happiness is in your ability to love others
-Leo Tolstoy-
Jakarta, February 13th, 2016 – Valentine’s Day, sometimes identified with chocolate, flowers, or a card to our beloved one. This moment was used by volunteers from AUSCI; an alumni network by University of Southern California to share with our students in a Rumah Belajar (Learning Center). This program was delivered through educative activities at Rumah Belajar Cipinang.
There were approximately 35 students divided into 3 groups and accompanied by 3 volunteers from AUSCI. They made flowers hand-crafted from paper with a chocolate ball center. The volunteers also taught students how to make a good greetings card, so they might give the card to their parents.
After making chocolate flowers, students and volunteers had lunch together. They got to know each other until an atmosphere was established seemingly melting with friendship. Towards the end of the event, one volunteer told how they were educated in foreign countries. Of course, the students were also keen to listen, the volunteers provided encouragement to younger students to not be easily satisfied with the value they get in school, and to be more active in learning, especially to focus on learning English as their capital to study abroad. Volunteers explained that, if they got a good education they would certainly get a better job too.
Volunteering activities can trigger the spirit of students and open their minds to the fact that there are many people who prepare for their futures by studying diligently. So the students were pushed to become better people. The volunteers and students are the children of a nation who fight for a better future for themselves and their country. The volunteers were all working professionals.