The college world is full of twists and turns that must be passed. Difficulty understanding material, a busy schedule of taking care of assignments, and extra effort to be active in organizations and committees color the dynamics of today’s college students. This situation is often a barrier to limiting “this is my business” and “that’s your business.” Some may think about healing on the weekends after a busy week of lectures and all its dynamics. However, are all conditions like that and run monotonously without anything meaningful? No, in the Realino Learning Community in Jombor, we found a different healing experience that made our day meaningful and gave meaning to others.
We see and feel inspired that there are still people dedicated to street children, the underprivileged, and in limited conditions amidst the hustle and bustle of activities that must be carried out. That is what we see from Realino SPM, which consists of highly dedicated volunteers. They are present every week to provide all the attention for the little friends in Jombor. Each of these volunteers must have busy schedules and agendas. However, they still offer space, energy, and time to share love in a fun way.
Thankfully, we, the Pharmacy of Sanata Dharma University students, were allowed to participate on Saturday, September 14, 2024. That day, we came with all the anxiety in our minds and hearts regarding the material and dynamics that would be presented. Would it be interesting and captured by the children in Jombor? Although there were concerns, there was optimism that the event we had prepared would succeed. It turned out that when the dynamics were running, we found that the children there were fun, smart, and active children who welcomed the games and materials that we presented. However, that doesn’t mean that everything went smoothly. Of course, some children had their own conditions and tendencies and chose to enjoy themselves. Some others were reluctant to follow what we had designed and guided at certain moments. However, that was not a big deal because we knew that this was the phase for children to explore and express themselves so that they could not be limited just like that. From our experience in Jombor with them, overall, what was conveyed can be captured. Our material can be applied in everyday life and told to the family at home.
Healing for us that day was to seek new experiences and give our hearts to the children in the Realino Learning Community – Jombor. The Health Campaign is one form of intelligence and humanity. Our knowledge does not stop with us alone; it is spread to humanize humans further. Educating is not only the task of a teacher, but we realize that it is also part of our duty as pharmacy students who study medicines, including traditional medicine. For things that previously might have felt far away and never encountered by the children, we try to put them close to their eyes so that they are familiar and become part of their lives.
Through our experience in Jombor, we found God’s interesting design. In our reflection, God wants to show that the way to add value to yourself is not always by seeking academic achievement, enriching yourself, or pursuing a perfect GPA. Enriching others with experience is also a means of adding value to yourself through love. Another reflection is that in pharmacy, all experiments have results and parameters. In this service, some parameters increase the knowledge of the younger siblings through post-test results, discussions, and exciting Q&A. The smile of innocence from the children who learn new things is no less critical. Hopefully, this experience and dynamics will bring development to all of us. Finally, thank you to the Realino Community Service Section (SPM), who allowed us to join the service in the Realino Learning Community – Jombor.
Contributor: Alfonsus Stanley – Student of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Sanata Dharma University