“You will help me in the youth segment.” Said Mr Lusman the Development Director of Happy Hearts Indonesia (HHI) to me on the first day of my internship. Then, he explained from A to Z about the works that I have to do in the youth segment. In short, the youth segment is part of the partnership department in HHI. HHI partners with many corporations around Jakarta to facilitate their Corporate Social Responsibility through our school rebuilding program. However, since 2016, HHI started to engage with international schools across Jakarta to partner in a number of school rebuilding projects as well. Through that explanation I understood that my job will be about approaching schools and its students, sending emails, arranging meetings, doing a presentation, and attending school’s events that are related to our partnerships. The first week being an intern, I had to make a presentation on my own and present it in front of Mr Lusman and other colleagues. Two weeks later, Mr Lusman came with the big news that he needed me to do a presentation to the students of Mentari Intercultural School Bintaro for their next school rebuilding project with us. Honestly, I love speaking in front of the public. I always get thrilled when given the opportunity to speak in front of people about something I mastered. The thing is I had to use English and that was exactly what I was scared of the most. I understand English, I speak in English sometimes, I read in English, but when it comes to speaking in front of so many people that are fluent in English, I always get nervous. However, the show must go on, so I had to find a way to make myself calmer. Thankfully, it went much better than I expected. After that first presentation, my intern life in the youth segment was about attending meetings and events of HHI’s school partners. On February 18th, I attended the meeting with Sekolah Pelita Harapan in Karawaci to talk discuss our partnership. Two days later, Mr Lusman, our Communications Manager, Elsa and I came to Sekolah Harapan Bangsa to interview some students that just got back home from their volunteering days at the school they recently rebuilt with HHI in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. The recorded interview is going to be used both by HHI and Sekolah Harapan Bangsa to promote our work in providing education facilities in remote areas of Indonesia. The next month, there was only one meeting at National High School Jakarta that I had to attend.
Raffles Pondok Indah Festival
Speech by Mr Lusman on the Raffles Pondok Indah Festival.
In April, I finally had the experience of attending a fundraising’s event at one of those schools. The event was called Raffles Pondok Indah Festival which was held by the students of Raffles Pondok Indah School. I could see how excited the students were to raise funds for our school rebuilding project. There was a bazaar of foods and beverages as well as some stage performances by the school’s band and dance club. The event brought back my memories from six years ago when I was still in high school. As one of the student council’s members, I am familiar with all kind of school’s events. I was involved in various activities from orientation day for new students to preparing a big concert. Therefore, I know how hard it is to raise that amount of funds. Back when I was in high school, I had to raise 150 million for a big concert and it was already very exhausting for a high school student. Impressively, although the students of Raffles Pondok Indah School had a h igher fundraising target, they still managed to put up big smiles all around instead of showing a tired or confused face. I was honestly amazed by them.
Me in the Service and Action Event by Global Jaya School.
On May 2019, another interesting thing happened. After spending a lot of time approaching other international schools and sending out tons of e-mails, finally, a school got back to us and invited us to open a booth at a school’s event in order to have an opportunity to meet the students in person. So, on May 24th, I went there alone with some merchandises and banners in hands. I set the booth up as soon as I arrived and waited there for around two hours before some students visited our booth and seemed very excited to know more about Happy Hearts Indonesia and what we are doing. During the lunchtime, Ms Ocha, the Service of Action Coordinator of the school invited me to come to her office to meet another teacher and talk more about our works. It was an amazing experience to represent and introduce Happy Hearts Indonesia and of course, to do my part in expanding our network in order to create a greater impact. After having those experiences as an intern in the youth segment, I can say that I have learned so much. I learned how to do a good presentation, to connect with new potential partners and to maintain a good relationship with our existing partners from Mr Lusman. I am sure that these experiences will be useful in my future.
The most recent fundraising event held by Mentari Intercultural School Bintaro. Those kids were the audience in my first presentation. How time flies!
So, if you love to meet new people, build a network, and make a good presentation, you can also join HHI as an intern. Just stay tuned on our social media because HHI will always announce an internship opportunity from time to time. For now, you can support us in rebuilding schools for those in needs by donating, collaborating or volunteering with Happy Hearts Indonesia. Read more in here about how to help us improve the quality of education for Indonesian children. Written by: Dinda
Raffles Pondok Indah Festival
Speech by Mr Lusman on the Raffles Pondok Indah Festival.
In April, I finally had the experience of attending a fundraising’s event at one of those schools. The event was called Raffles Pondok Indah Festival which was held by the students of Raffles Pondok Indah School. I could see how excited the students were to raise funds for our school rebuilding project. There was a bazaar of foods and beverages as well as some stage performances by the school’s band and dance club. The event brought back my memories from six years ago when I was still in high school. As one of the student council’s members, I am familiar with all kind of school’s events. I was involved in various activities from orientation day for new students to preparing a big concert. Therefore, I know how hard it is to raise that amount of funds. Back when I was in high school, I had to raise 150 million for a big concert and it was already very exhausting for a high school student. Impressively, although the students of Raffles Pondok Indah School had a h igher fundraising target, they still managed to put up big smiles all around instead of showing a tired or confused face. I was honestly amazed by them.
Me in the Service and Action Event by Global Jaya School.
On May 2019, another interesting thing happened. After spending a lot of time approaching other international schools and sending out tons of e-mails, finally, a school got back to us and invited us to open a booth at a school’s event in order to have an opportunity to meet the students in person. So, on May 24th, I went there alone with some merchandises and banners in hands. I set the booth up as soon as I arrived and waited there for around two hours before some students visited our booth and seemed very excited to know more about Happy Hearts Indonesia and what we are doing. During the lunchtime, Ms Ocha, the Service of Action Coordinator of the school invited me to come to her office to meet another teacher and talk more about our works. It was an amazing experience to represent and introduce Happy Hearts Indonesia and of course, to do my part in expanding our network in order to create a greater impact. After having those experiences as an intern in the youth segment, I can say that I have learned so much. I learned how to do a good presentation, to connect with new potential partners and to maintain a good relationship with our existing partners from Mr Lusman. I am sure that these experiences will be useful in my future.
The most recent fundraising event held by Mentari Intercultural School Bintaro. Those kids were the audience in my first presentation. How time flies!
So, if you love to meet new people, build a network, and make a good presentation, you can also join HHI as an intern. Just stay tuned on our social media because HHI will always announce an internship opportunity from time to time. For now, you can support us in rebuilding schools for those in needs by donating, collaborating or volunteering with Happy Hearts Indonesia. Read more in here about how to help us improve the quality of education for Indonesian children. Written by: Dinda
