Amazing Life by the Sea

I still remembered my eldest sister recommended me to go Bali to volunteer a few months back. Soon after that, I found myself in Bali alone, an amazing place with lots of friendly people.

When I finally arrived at the foundation, I met lots of other volunteers from many different countries. I still remember my first lunch in the foundation, tempe with white rice! Tempe is local Indonesian food and it’s my favourite, always! I remember receiving a flower from my student and she helped me put it on my hair. I love the time when I walked around with the kids and listened to their life stories after class. I recalled teaching vocabulary about jobs, and I let the students think about what they wanted to be in the future. I was startled by how amazing all their dreams were. I wish I could be part of the journey.

Being an Indonesian native speaker, I had the advantage in conducting the lesson, mixing Bahasa and English. But other volunteers faced no issue in conducting their lesson too. There are variety of ways to conduct the lesson. Games, readings, music, and other activities will interest the students. I love how eager they are to learn English.

I couldn't find a word to express how amazing the trip was, from a terrible homesick to a feeling of being in a new home. I thought I would go there to teach the students English, but they have put an impact in my life more than what I did to them. The students might not be smart and rich, but they never failed to make me laugh and happy. I believe I could do so much more for them, and I guess I need them more than they need me. This experience has indeed changed the way I see things. Dollars and cents could not replace the effort and time I gave up for them and I did not regret it.

I guess if you put yourself to nature, you won’t be disappointed! So, BE A VOLUNTEER and make a difference in other people’s life.

Finally, thanks to Yayasan Widya Sari for the warm welcome. For the students, thank you for the space in your heart. For the other volunteers, thank you so much. Tremendous gratitude to my family for supporting me. Well, I am back to Singapore with lots of memories.