Feeding the Hungry CAS 2014

I forgot about this event. It was last year; we were still eleventh graders, and I still had that pixie cut. We were new to this subject at school called "character building" which taught us morals and well, builds our character. Our first project was social impact. It could be in any form, whether it be just a raise of awareness or a raise of funds. Other teams sold pins for charity and did the then famous ALS ice bucket challenge, but my group mates decided to do the classic: Feeding the hungry.

Nasi Padang is delicious and everyone deserves to eat it. With so much Indonesian culture wrapped into small paper packages, one bag would be enough to fill your belly. Really, it may seem like a bit in the picture, but I personally can only eat half. In it theres a whole lot of rice, with mashed potato cakes called "Perkedel", a boiled egg with some sort of curry sauce, fried chicken along with cassava leaves as the fibre source. We got about 30 bags and left off.

It wasn't hard finding people who needed it; Indonesia is filled with poverty. We targeted poor people with hard jobs, and mostly those of older age who still have to work. This was when we realised that we take things for granted; we're lucky that we can provide a nice retirement for our elderly family members, and that they won't have to pick up and sell trash just to gain a living. We're lucky that we can go to school unlike the children of these people in which their parents are unable to support their health, what more their education. We're lucky that we can still live with the ones we love most, as some of these people are separated with their loved ones as they would each need to find a source of finance in different areas of Indonesia.

Most of the people we gave the food to were thankful and nice people. There was an old lady who was also oh so kind to share with us her life story, and how she was just about to look for food somewhere when we "angels from above" came and filled her hunger. She told us that it's difficult to find food here in the city of Jakarta, as people like her can't afford anything but rice and egg. It was a beautiful coincidence, and we were sure glad to be able to make her smile. There was also a man who ate right after we gave him the food. It was lunch time by then and we were glad that our efforts were appreciated.


All the food was gone before midday, and it really speaks about Indonesia's poverty rate. Thirty people, just in the area of Pluit. While we were giving food to the hungry, we noticed a car that seemed to be following us. Watching from the back seat I realised that they too were giving impoverished people bars of chocolate, something for dessert after our meal. That really brought a smile to our faces. Perhaps we didn't only help the needy, perhaps we also inspired others to make a difference.

Learning outcomes checklist:

2. Undertaken new challenges
I suppose I was always a hermit; never did I leave the house, let alone speak to random strangers. This activity made me not only more social but also more aware of other people's issues aside from my own. This was my first time actually helping people directly, and talking to them instead of simply donating money from afar sure made a different impact. 

3. Planned and initiated activities
It didn't matter how we did it, we just needed to help people in some way. And though selling goods and making videos would be fun, my and my friends decided that it would be more personal if we did it the classic way. We brainstormed, created the plan, and initiated it all by ourselves.

4. Worked collaboratively with other
It was a team project, and I was glad that it was. I had a hard time talking to strangers, and with the help of my friends, I was able to gather the courage to do so. We also took turn giving the people food.

6. Engaged with issues of global importance
Poverty is a big problem in Indonesia, and some people do not earn enough even to eat. With our help, a few lucky people had good meals for the day, and we were glad to help them even though it was just for a day.

8. Developed new skills 
While talking to strangers, I learnt to come out of my shell, after the first few people we visited, I got braver and was eager to help more. 

Hari Raya Idul Fitri

A few of us with our beloved principal. And a very happy security guard.

Lebaran was nearby, which meant fasting was almost over. The Muslims would celebrate as they asked for forgiveness from their family and friends this time of year. For them it was like Christmas, the time of joy and happiness.

We live in Indonesia. And although we may not have the same beliefs and religion, we must respect with great honor  the values of others. Since most of the staff at school celebrated this wondrous event, we thought that it would be great to show a little appreciation to those we often take for granted. It was a great way to make others feel good about themselves, and also a brilliant way to start off our first CAS this academic year, with my batch finally at the top; finally the oldest students at school.

Thus we began collecting. There was no minimum amount, it was all a matter of how much you're willing to give. Whatever the amount was, it was highly appreciated. Along with some teachers, the now grade 12 class to chipped in a total estimate of RP4000000. This was divided among the staff at school, including security guards, caregivers, the cleaning service as well as technicians. Eventually, everyone got a share, even those who weren't celebrating this event as we wanted to make everyone feel equally special.

The best part was giving it to them. At first we called them to our classroom for distribution, but since some of them were on duty, we had to take matters to our own hands and track their location one by one. It was like a mission: Everyone must be found. Do not let anyone get on the loose. *Queue Liam Neeson* I will find you. And I will give your share to you.

Learning outcomes checklist:

4. Worked collaboratively with others
Since we had to track down every single one of the staff, it was impossible to do it alone or in one group. We split up and tried to find as many staff as possible, searching the whole school for security guards as well as cleaning personal.

5. Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Finding the staff was not easy, some even left the school to get lunch and we had to wait for them to come back, and we wouldn't stop until everyone got the little envelopes of joy.

6. Engaged with issues of global importance
Much like Christmas to us, this event is really special to them. It is our job as IB students to make them feel welcomed and accepted in their own little way, and this token of appreciation is a good way to start.

7. Considered the ethical implications of their actions 
Of course, as any other religious events, we must watch out for the words that come out of our mouth. We were sure to be polite and nice to the staff, as we did not want to offend any of them.

Circle of Life BTB Musical CAS

*Photos are not of the best quality x.x

Last 2013 our school Bina Tunas Bangsa had our first ever musical production, the "Bits and Pieces of Broadway", showcasing our students in an entertaining 2 hour long performance. This year, we were inspired to do the same but better. "Circle of Life" was a Lion King inspired musical performance, with a modern twist to it, including new pop songs that were popular during the period. The singing and dancing by children of the primary sector were spectacular, face painting making them look even more adorable. Their electrifying talents blew everyone away as nobody had expected such unification and capability in little children. Us eleventh graders on the other hand, worked as behind the scene ushers.

Ten of us were in on it, me; Gabriella Wina, Jermysen Vendarwan, Dennis Oh, Kelvin Jordan, Anthonie Tjendana, Tommy Gunawan, Juanito Clement Tanjung, William Hartono, Devin Christian, and Denzel Andrews. We wore with such pride a black tee with an orange lion on its front, the symbol of the musical.

On Friday, 17 April 2015, we were given our uniforms and briefed with what each of us should do. Each of us were given a station to work at, some being in pairs, either guarding the music room, working the ticket station, greeting guests in the main door, and even roaming the 3rd and 4th floor looking for requested staff or students. As the parents who came were overly excited to see their children, we had to start working at 4pm, even though the show would begin at 6. The same happened the next day, with even more parents arriving early, most probably since it was the show's last day, and it was on a Saturday as well.

Sure it was tiring work, having to stand for hours straight with only a few sitting breaks in two consecutive days, but it was also insanely fun. With friends like these you start to forget about how weak your legs become and instead laugh and have a great time, even socializing with the staff and guests that came. During the show, when nobody else came to show their tickets, some of us went inside to make sure that the guests won't exit using the wrong door, and we helped maintain the silence of the audience as there were many younger brothers and sisters of the performers who were starting to create commotion. Me being one of the people who got to stay inside for a little bit thus got a peek and let me tell you. It made the crowd go wild.

Post performance we went back to our stations to make sure that the parents won't bring their children home straight away as the curtain call was still going on, and we had the honor of a new job: High five-ing the performers telling them they did a great job. I was blessed to be able to hi-five the young king of the jungle.

It was almost nine when all the guests had eventually gone, and since we were still young at heart, we snagged the opportunity to take pictures on the amazing set that was built, act all Mufasa and Scar on stage and ran away when we realized people were watching us. We were also provided with food, and as we dined we had a delightful exchange of opinions on who the prettiest kid actress was. I just love being friends with dudes.

And that was it. Two days, five hours each, and ten crazy people racing all the way to IB.

That was our Circle of Life the Musical CAS.

I don't know how to smile xD

Learning outcomes checklist:

1. Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth 

There were different jobs for each of us, with some having to greet the visitors, some having to hand out flyers, and some accepting the tickets in. At first I was asked to show the audience to their seats, but seeing that I'm not that good with talking to people, I was shifted to the ticket department. It showed where I was lacking and now I know where I need to improve myself.

2. Undertaken new challenges
I've been in a school performance before, but I have never helped in setting one up. This was really new to me, and I didn't know how much of a fuss it would be to work backstage.

5. Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Since some people came in late, it was up to me and my friends to show them the right way to the show and make them feel welcomed. We stayed in our stations the whole time and had glimpses of the show as we took shifts. 

7. Considered the ethical implications of their actions
Talking the audience was hard enough, but to know that these are also the friends and family of my school's students made it even more nerve-wracking. We were sure to be polite and nice to the people that came, making sure to not ruin the school's reputation.

Christmas CAS Dec 2014

December 5th, 2014- The grade eleven class conducted their first CAS, nervous and inexperienced with this IB task of theirs. The Christmas celebration was merry, classes performing songs and dances, filling the air with Christmas spirit. We set up three booths as a way of raising funds, including the photo booth, game booth, and the classic jail booth.

The photo booth, complete with a candy cane background and props for posing with, turned out to be a great success, with students, teachers, and even parents paying to take a picture with Santa, Mrs.Claus, and one of the pointy-eared elves. Many tested their aiming skills in the game booth, knocking down cans, shooting into holes, bouncing rubber balls into cups, and even catching fish! The jail booth was the most crowded of all, the curtained jail full of people, and even more were lined up to send their friends to jail, even our CAS staff were captured! Our main objective was to raise funds for charity, while at the same time having fun and spreading the joy of Christmas. I believe we achieved that.

I think that the MSHS students are all mature enough to see our CAS activity as something to enjoy, something mainly for fun and entertainment, and not something to use against other students. We are proud to say that our profit reached 3,000,000IDR, with the inclusion of what we earned from Christmas caroling earlier that day.

To say that this CAS had no problems at all would be a lie. We had a few small issues along the way, yet compared to the end result, they were insignificant. All that mattered was the time we spent, the effort we exerted and those long hours of cutting and pasting finally paying off. This was our way of contributing to Creativity Action Service. This was our Christmas.

 -Gabs, 2015. Spotlight News Articles

Learning outcomes checklist:

3. Planned and initiated activities
Our creativity was tested when we had to impress the entire student body, as well as parents and teachers. Some of us designed the Photo Booth, some built the jail booth and others set up the games. Our idea came mostly from previous case activities by our older batches, but we made sure to add some tweaks to the game.

4. Worked collaboratively with others
We wouldn't have been able to do this alone. The entire thing was a class effort, and everyone did their part so well that it brought the whole school together. 

5. Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities 
As we were assigned to our booths, we had to take shifts in experiencing the fun ourselves. Despite having breaks, the booths were constantly full and it was up to us to treat our customers right, even if that did mean working overtime!

6. Engaged with issues of global importance
All the money collected went to charity, supporting impoverished orphans to be exact. Unfortunately we could not meet them due to our tight schedule, but hey, its the thought that counts, right?

7. Considered the ethical implications of their actions 

We knew that some people wouldn't want to be stuck in jail for so long, so we made sure that nobody was in for more than 30 minutes. Many complained, but we did give them the option to bail out if they wished. We also made sure that the jail wasn't too full, just in case anyone with claustrophobia was in it.