In 2013, I didn’t finished my stories about my very 1st
CISV experience in The US for Step Up program. It was one hell of life changing
experience. Since then, I promised myself that it was not my last program in
CISV. So here I am now, five days after finishing my 2nd program (as
a leader) in China and yes, it’s Village.
Two years ago, I met this US Delegation who were attractive,
knows CISV well and very outspoken who told me that, “Village is magical for
me, it’s wonderful life changing experience”. I was thinking, how come a 14
years-old kid understand some part of their life has been changed when they
were 11? That’s how I encourage myself to be village leader. So, in January
2015 – a week after I finished staffing on Youth Meeting in Jakarta- I joined
the selection to be leader in Summer 2015. I was submitting to be village
leader. And in February (or March, I forgot) I got announcement from chapter
leader coordinator that I was selected as village leader and appointed to go to
China. Woohoo!
Even tough I have around 4-5 months preparation, the
challenge wasn’t become easier. 1st of all, I have to manage to get
leave from my office. Apparently, the camp will held on Eid holiday but I still
need 21 days in total so I took 17 days unpaid leave. 2nd, to
prepare the visa, dance and all knick-knacks for open day etc was not so easy
while involving four pairs of parents. As time goes by, I managed all the
preparation between my working schedule and personal life. It reminds me, two years
ago the US visa really got on my nerves and I almost gave up. Thank God, this
year way much easier :D
3rd, We sent 5 village delegation this year but we still missed out delegates to complete the rest. So my delegation was the last to formed and none of them ever joined CISV pre-camp. My work getting harder because we only had one pre-camp and one delegation time. Also, not to mention Razzaa quite busy with his football club so he sometimes has to skip dance rehearsal and meet other delegates.
As the last delegation to depart from our
chapter, I had
a chance to gain story and inputs from my seniors. How to handle
11-sometimes-spoiled-brats-kids, when the best time to have national night and
day off, how to deal with staffies, and other adult groups. Even though I myself
had CISV experiences, it was still new to me.
Finally, the D-Day is coming! And yes, our departure day was
on the exact same day on Eid celebration. It means, most of us had to skip the
prayer and miss the chance to meet our big family. Fortunately, it wasn’t a
biggie for the parents. We took Garuda Indonesia from Jakarta to Guangzhou for
5,5 hours straight and I don’t have to worry about transit or missing 1-2 kid
during travel time. Right after we arrived, there’s bunch of kiddos try to call
us and shout “CISV..CISV?” I wasn’t ready for any conversation that ti
me, but then I realized they might be delegations to the same camp. It was Italian and Germany delegations who arrived at almost the same time like us. Saw some friendly faces and my delegates started to be curious. After that, gotta to say bye to them because their host family ready to picked them and we will meet in three days. The boys, Jantara & Razzaa, went to same hostfamily while Marsya & Andari went to the other one. Apparently, leaders duty already started as we landed. We took most of delegates luggage to the bus and go to the campsite in Cang’an, two hours ride by bus.
After we had dinner, take a look at our campsite, Cang’an
Center Kindergarden, we meet (almost everyone) of leaders, JC and some staffies
and had some rest. The next day, Carlos, our beloved camp-director started the
training and getting to know each other. We sit in couple, and we have to draw
about our pair’s family, their daily activity, dreams and fears. As I remember I
have to draw about Chore’s (Mexican leader) activity as computer programmer.
Maddy’s (The US JC) family, Ilja (Germany leader) and WInson (local staff) future
dream. We had quite fun training
So, the beginning of our Evergreen Camp went pretty well, as we also passed the Evergreen Street which the inspiration of the camp theme itself. I will continue the complete story of the journey, the ups and down, the la
ughter and tears..
See you in the next posting!
