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.