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Project Stargazing: Bandung Charity Day December 2012

Posted by admin 30 - December - 2012

A HEART THAT SEES BRINGS ENDLESS JOY

“Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful.”

– Helen Keller, world-renowned deafblind author

 

Everyone deserves a bright future

We’ve always believed that everyone deserves an opportunity to become whatever they aspire to be. Indeed, we shouldn’t be “locked-up” by our physical limitations, nor should we be discriminated upon because of it. The Humanity Forum, as our name suggests, always aim to pursue the highest potential of a human being regardless of age, sex, race, or physical capability.

With the latter factor closely in mind, we and our partner, w3-o design+interactive lab of Singapore, sought an endeavour which we have almost never dealt before – visual impairment. While we’ve engaged able-bodied yet underprivileged individuals, we have yet to encounter those with physical disability and we thought this is a learning opportunity that can be mutually fulfilling.

 

Project Stargazing: Reach for the stars

And so, PROJECT STARGAZING was conceived. The project essentially anchored on the premise that awareness of visual impairment in children is quite low. Of course, it has been said time and again that our children are our future, thus, we felt that these kids deserve even more help. Indeed, every starry-eyed kid has a dream to be something great, thus, although they lack the gift of sight, they have the gift of vision.

Specifically, Project Stargazing was created for visually-impaired children, of which the students of SLBN Bagian A (tunanetra) Bandung in Indonesia is our first beneficiary. We wanted these kids to realise and be inspired with the belief that they can chase their dreams. With our help, these dreams can truly come true. As novelist and poet Margaret Atwood proclaimed, “An eye for an eye only leads to more blindness” – so kindness, on the other hand, lead to enlightenment.

 

Preparations in Singapore

We knew this would be the most daunting endeavour we will encounter yet. We all had difficulty relating with able-bodied individuals, so imagine engaging with the visually-impaired where we will be challenged not only to communicate, but also at times, need to physically interact with them, like for example, help guide them as they walk.

That’s why we thought it necessary to equip all volunteers with some basic knowledge in interacting with blind people.

We were fortunate to have Cassandra Chiu, a well-known visually-impaired person in Singapore and a friend of one of our volunteers. Accompanied by Esme, her Labrador guide dog, Cassandra graciously gave us short lessons in how to walk with the blind, what to do when we want to assist during, for example, having lunch – even how to give them direction for the games that we are going to play.

Cassandra gives a crash course to THF volunteers.

Cassandra gives a crash course to THF volunteers.

 

Cassandra and Esme, her working dog.

Cassandra and Esme, her working dog.

 

A buffet lunch is in fact one of the high notes of the activities we were about to conduct. You see, most of the time, on a daily basis even, the children will be given a “set food”. This could be a common practice in their dormitory and perhaps their home, which is of course quite understandable as it will simplify a lot of logistical issues. Hence, for the children to have “an opportunity to choose” is nothing less than a luxury for them. This activity gives them an opportunity to feel no different from any other able child.

Cassandra likewise served as our consultant for the games that we were preparing – giving us advice on each game’s feasibility and whether or not it was sensible and to some point, even sensitive.

These games ranged from the mentally-challenging to the action-packed. Some examples:

Balloon stomping
A balloon is tied around a person’s legs as well as a bell that helps in locating the person wearing them. Players will then have to stomp and burst each other’s balloon until one person with a balloon is left.

Baloon Stomping game.

Baloon Stomping game.

 

Race Relay
This game was played both on land and water, that is, the grassy open land and the swimming pool.  This works like any relay race wherein one person completes a run from one end to another after which, a team mate follows. The difference though is there is a rope tied from each end to guide their path. Again, the first to finish wins.

Race Relay game. The rope is to assist the kid in getting a direction.

Race Relay game. The rope is to assist the kid in getting a direction.

 

Guess What
There were a few variations of this game. One team placed objects of different sizes such as candies, green beans, beads and the like mixed with rice inside a shallow basin. Each object have different points wherein the smaller the object, the higher the points earned.
Players are then tasked to separate these object from the rice as fast as they can within an allotted time. Most point wins of course.
Another team’s version had the different objects spread on a surface. Players were asked to touch these objects and match them accordingly.

Guess What game.

Guess What game.

 

Ice Cream Making
This is literally a cool activity – ice cream making! Without using any machine but a simple ingenious use of materials like ice cubes, evaporated milk etc. and a plastic bag where the ingredients are mixed, kids and adults alike had fun mixing and shaking until finally seeing their creation come into all its cool and sweet glory.

Ice cream making, one of the most enjoyed activities by the kids.

Ice cream making, one of the most enjoyed activities by the kids.

 

While all these preparations were going on in Singapore, logistical arrangements for Bandung were also being done remotely. Great support were chipped in by volunteers from THF Indonesia, friends as well as from the school itself.

 

 

Bandung here we come!

The first day when we arrived was essentially a task to have a look at the locations where the activities will be conducted.

We had to make sure that all the activities we plan to do will be accommodated and that all the elements needed such as space and equipment is there. Indeed for the venue for the event, we had to ensure we know exactly what to expect so the games and other logistical stuff are covered.

Communication of course played a major role as we met with the head masters and the teachers and made sure that all the intended messages are conveyed to the children properly – among others, the need to bring a set of spare clothes and towel for the swimming pool activities.

Next on the list was transportation. We had to secure buses that will safely and comfortably bring the children (and as it turned out, their parents too!) and the teachers to the venue for a fun-filled day of activities.

Late night briefing in the hotel room.

Late night briefing in the hotel room.

 

Loading goody bags

Loading goody bags

 

 

Showtime!

Our first stop was at the school itself. It was a fun and enthusiastic crowd, a pleasing sight of about 77 energetic kids who were present that day.

It was quite an enlightening experience for most of us as we learned about the students’ daily activities. We saw the ways and means that they use to learn, like for instance, how they write Braille, a special language for the visually-impaired.

THF volunteers listens to a short introduction of the school in the classroom.

THF volunteers listens to a short introduction of the school in the classroom.

 

A teacher gives a demo to THF volunteer on how braille math works.

A teacher gives a demo to THF volunteer on how braille math works.

 

It was surprising to see some students, most of the big kids in particular, who were actually using mobile phones (Symbian software we were told) and that even some of them are on Facebook. Wow, this world is really connected now!

As a proof of how socially-connected these kids are, one of the teachers proudly related that the school in fact won a 17-hour online-chat marathon contest. How’s that for being tech-savvy?

There was also a demonstration of computer system that supports Braille printing. While not visually impressive, the fact that this kind of technology is available to these kids was amazing nevertheless.

Before we left the school for our activities venue, there was a brief handover ceremony of the angklung, the bamboo instrument that we donated for the school.

Official handover of angklung set, tradtional musical instrument made of bamboo.

Official handover of angklung set, tradtional musical instrument made of bamboo.

 

Games, food and fun galore

Finally, our two big and one medium-sized buses brought us to the activities venue, which was actually a clubhouse. In fact, there was even a marriage event/ceremony preparation happening at one area.

Inside one of the 3 buses.

Inside one of the 3 buses.

 

Overall, the venue looked wonderful and inviting – huge with sprawling open grass lawns. There was a big swimming pool for adults, complete with 2 diving board choices. There was also a pool for kids and a playground. It was a pleasure to see children, parents, teachers and our volunteers alike having fun together even at the playground.

The hall was big enough to accommodate all of us, with room to spare. Lots of room in fact for the children to perform. And boy did they perform! These kids are truly musically-gifted – playing instruments, singing with heavenly voices.

Breaking up into their respective teams, the volunteers with the help of the parents and teachers went on to play games and conduct various fun activities. The students were divided according to age, which of course was done to suit each activity.

Briefing time.

Briefing time.

 

A boy asks where the volunteers come from. We're from Singapore and Indonesia.

A boy asks where the volunteers come from. We’re from Singapore and Indonesia.

 

The natural icebreaker was swimming pool where, once the students dive in, shrieks and laughter erupt. Some of the activities that were supposed to be done didn’t even materialise as most students would rather just have fun splashing about in the water.

Catching plastic balls in the pool is challenging but super fun!

Catching plastic balls in the pool is challenging but super fun!

 

The high school boys have a great time in the freezing cold pool.

The high school boys have a great time in the freezing cold pool.

 

Walking together like a "choo-choo train"

Walking together like a “choo-choo train”

 

Lunchtime was another fun affair – great, plentiful and liberating in the case of most students. As mentioned earlier, instead of the usual set food that they receive, the students, also with the help of the volunteers were able to pick and choose the food that they want, and indulge with generous servings too.

Sumptuous buffet lunch.

Sumptuous buffet lunch.

 

Likewise, the games were nothing less than enjoyable, and at times hilarious. Some teachers even expressed their surprise as this was the first time that they saw their students truly having fun and having no care at all. Some students revealed previously unknown character traits which they didn’t realise was present in them, such as the perseverance to win the game no matter how hard it is.

 

Having a great time is not just for the lucky few. It's for everyone.

Having a great time is not just for the lucky few. It’s for everyone.

 

Wonderful performance by the kids.

Wonderful performance by the kids.

 

Ready for distribution

Ready for distribution

 

Volunteers’ voices

For most if not all the volunteers, this was an enlightening experience. When we set out to Bandung, the mission was to “enlighten” the students by inspiring them to realise that they can become better. The experience did it both ways as we were similarly enlightened and inspired by the tenacity of these visually-impaired students.

Here are some of their observations and thoughts and how things can be better for these kids:

 

“I spent most of the event just observing the kids – whenever we were not busy running around – and admiring their curiosity, cheerfulness and can-do spirit. They didn’t seem very different from regular kids at all, perhaps even more able in some ways. 

I think one thing that can be done to help blind kids or blind people in general, is to increase everyone’s awareness of the way they navigate life a bit better – just small things, like how they read and write or surf the internet, so that more games, applications, publications will be accessible to them.”
– Trixia

 

“I feel very fortunate in being able to help needy people. I also realised that we are blessed to see things. We should really take things positively, live happily and worry less.”
-Kok Wei

“If people without the gift of sight can live happily, we who can see should appreciate things around us even more.”
– Grace

 

“I felt real happiness during this event and hope the children felt the same. We really need to support them as much as we can. This experience gave me a lot of strength and inspiration that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
– Nandi

 

“From all the activities that we planned for the kids, what we didn’t anticipate was the massive enthusiasm from the children on the activities.
From the swimming pool to the outdoor games, we saw that these children enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Personally, I was involved in the pool games for the little children and the way they played together in the pool was such a heart-warming one.  To learn later that it was the first time most of them have been to a swimming pool made that activity even more memorable to me.
One thing that I personally feel is that we need to impart more knowledge to both the teachers and caregivers/parents so that they can go beyond normal school materials to teach the visually-impaired children. Having seen their thirst for knowledge, from journalism, cooking, language etc, I personally feel that they hope to reach out beyond their disabilities but society is limiting them to the social norm. After interacting with these children, I have come to acknowledge that vision is beyond just seeing.”
– Roberto

 

THF and SLBN-A Bandung

THF and SLBN-A Bandung

 

Our gratitude to all

Indeed, vision is beyond the ability to see as this experience has shown us.
We are indebted to our volunteers, supporters and friends who have given us the opportunity make Project Stargazing a reality.

  • All our volunteers and friends.
  • Cassandra Chiu & Esme
  • SLBN-Bagian A Bandung
  • Bumi Sangkuriang, Bandung
  • Mama’s Kitchen, Singapore

 

For more photos, kindly visit our flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehumanityforum/sets/72157632215621642/

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