On September 7th, 2024, our Philanthropy Club, led by President Cinthaqu Anjani, proudly completed its first charity visit to the Bhakti Mandiri Orphanage in Cibubur, East Jakarta. This was a meaningful milestone for the club and its members, as they took their first step toward making a difference in the community.
Before the visit, the Philanthropy Club organized a donation drive, inviting contributions from the entire University of Jakarta International (UNIJI) and Jakarta International College (JIC) community, including students, parents, and staff. The response was overwhelming, with donations ranging from used clothing and toys to books and other useful items. These donations were then carefully sorted by the club members to ensure they reached the children who needed them most.
On the day of the visit, four engaging activities were planned to bring joy to the children at the orphanage. The first was an English introduction class led by Raoul Spies, where the children were introduced to simple phrases in English, sparking curiosity and smiles. Next, Denaira Yusmika captivated the children with two delightful stories, told in both English and Bahasa, which had the children listening attentively and responding with excitement.
Gabrielle Saputra and Jayden Dinata then brought energy into the room with a K-pop dance cover class. Both the children and our students enjoyed learning and performing the fun dance moves together, filling the space with laughter and joy.
One of the more hands-on activities was a soap-making class, led by Diana Joesoep, Gwen Hartono, and Ni Putu Marcelya. This session was specifically designed for the older children, where they learned how to make soap bars using everyday household ingredients. It was a creative and practical activity that we hope will be useful for the children and the nuns who take care of them.
Throughout the day, the students connected with the children on a personal level. It was heartwarming to see our students show patience, kindness, and compassion as they spent time with children from different age groups.
The visit ended with a shared lunch, where our students and the children sat together, exchanging stories, talking about their hobbies, and bonding over their experiences. It was a proud moment for us all as we saw these friendships blossom.
We’d like to take a moment to congratulate the Philanthropy Club for their hard work and dedication. We’re also incredibly grateful to the children and staff at Bhakti Mandiri Orphanage for their warm welcome and for allowing us to spend such a memorable day together.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to bringing more joy to children in need as the Philanthropy Club continues to grow. See you in the next update!