Initially, the plan was to go to Hong Kong and Indonesia was actually my backup plan. I started looking for contacts via Rotaract.net (introduced to me by my predecessor, Director Kong), Friendster and also through the wonders of ‘Googling’.
It was then that I’ve managed to get into contact with a few Rotaractors from Hong Kong and a Malaysian studying at a Hong Kong Polytechnic University for help. The Rotaract Club that the club hosted last year, RAC of Hong Kong University, also offered to lend a hand.
The following is the initial short-listed places for us to visit :
1. Sheung Tak Child Care Centre (for hearing impaired children)
尚德幼兒中心 (為聽覺受損兒童而設）
2. Wan Tsui Centre
環翠中心
3. Morrison Hill Child Development Centre (SCCC)
摩理臣山兒童發展中心 (特殊幼兒中心)
4. Ebenezer Child Care Centre (for visually impaired children)
心光幼兒中心 (為視覺受損兒童而設）
5. Cheung Wah Special Child Care Centre
祥華特殊幼兒中心
Unfortunately, due to time constraints (it was mid June when I first got into contact with them and the trip was scheduled to be in December), all of them turned me down. It seemed that they needed at least a year’s notice for such visits. It was after a board meeting that I’ve decided to switch my attention to Indonesia. A quote from Rotarian Arthur “ If you feel that you are banging your head on the wall, then you should know that it’s time to stop or quit”.
With that, I was back to square one. Fortunately, a handful of Rotaract Clubs of Indonesia expressed their interest in helping. And that was how it all begun. ** To tell the truth, I planned to have this trip during the semester break of July 2009 but hey, why limit our goodwill trip to being an annual affair? So, here’s the news, the avenue is planning to organize two of such trips this term (fingers crossed).
Since the month of July, I have been keeping an eye on the rates of Air Asia. Waiting and waiting for the right time to get hold the cheap tickets. The opportunity came but I have yet finalized my plans with my Indonesian counterparts! The proposal and promotional posters were not done yet. It was in two the morning and there were just so much to do!
I would be having a lab session at 8am and with the remaining hours till then, the proposal was completed. I decided to ‘recycle’ the poster that Past Director Kong had used, with a few tweaks and all, of course. Not a glorifying thing to do – but pardon me for it was my first time coming up with a proposal and organizing such a trip.
The proposal was sent in that very morning and I managed to convince Student Support Service (SSS) to have it approved there and then. That was extremely relieving as generally, it would take at least a month for off-campus events to be approved and the Air Asia promotion was only valid for less than two weeks then. Tickets to Jakarta would normally cost around RM110-200 but on promotions, they were only RM 40-70 each!
That night, the posters were up with the help of the rest of the avenue. Of course, the worries of the tickets being snapped up still lingered throughout the ten odd days.
My first trip presentation during a club meeting went well although I had had some reservations initially. The respond was fairly good. Most of the club members thought of the trip to be a recreational one and when I got to the community service part, their expressions were a straightforward “No Way!”.
All in all, ten people showed their interest. They are:
1. Jasmitt Bhullar ( President of RACUTP 08/09 )
2. Aira Amira Abd Raman ( Secretary I )
3. Sandeep Ramakrishnan
4. Tan Xiao Ci
5. Lee Kuo Chun
6. Timonthy Ganesan
7. Suren Lim Sinnaduraj
8. Jasvinder Singh Gill
9. Nur Fathiah Bt Jasmari
10. Beshari
The original duration (10th - 17th December 2008) was extended till 19th December as we wanted to make a visit to the famous Borobodur at Yogjakarta. Luck was on our side – there was a ticket promotion going.
Hence, the flight arrangements were made and my focus was then shifted to the activities there. With the assistance of three clubs ( RAC Semanggi, RAC Gambir, and RAC Lippo Karawaci ), the first itinerary was outlined.
Special thanks to the Director of Funding, Rtr. Lee See for helping me recruit sponsors, both monetary as well as merchandise (colour pencils and stationeries for the children there). Besides that,I am very appreciative of Rtr Koong Xin Yi (of the Community Service Avenue) and her mother. They sponsored 40 story books and 38 pencil boxes – Thank you very much, Mdm Koong and Rtr. Koong!
Regards,
Jerry
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