Mentoring Rofi for 4 days

December 18, 2012. The young university graduates barely left me when Rofi "came on board" to stay with me for 4 days, replacing Irwan. Irwan had made a suggestion that I spend a few days giving Rofi the kind of mentoring that he had received from me early last year. He said that it would benefit Rofi a lot, as it had benefited him and made a big change in his way of thinking and appreciating life. I said okay, and Irwan went to Gilbert Camp #2 to accompany Ahmad and to help setting up our small library for the kids. Rofi is one of our 16 sponsored children. I met him about 8 months ago when I was attending Irwan's High School graduation in the small village of Gringsing. At the graduation, I gave away 2 door prizes for a 4-day getaway to the "big city" of Semarang. Rofi, the leader of the students body in his school, picked one of the 2 lucky numbers. For 4 days in May 2012, I got acquainted with Rofi a little bit. Not enough to know him since my attention was divided for 3 other teenagers at the time. During the visit in May last year, I asked him what he wanted to do now that he had graduated from high school. He said he needed to be looking for a job to help his family, but he had a problem with one of his eyes. Apparently while helping his neighbor fixing their roof, something had gotten in his eye and it got infected. He had tried to go to an eye doctor, but the doctor could only do so much. He still had a blur in his vision and said it looks like there's water. So I took him to a specialist in Semarang. With some eye medication, he continued his regular doctor visits, and he felt a bit of improvement.

In the photo shown here, Rofi is the one on the most left. Rofi continued to be in touch with me via email till after I returned to the United States in June 2012. He said he was looking for a job but couldn't find any. Didn't know what to do since there was not many jobs available especially for high school graduates. The only factory in his town didn't have any opening. My heart ached for him. I had sent him to a driving school in Semarang, I thought with a driving license, he could be more competitive in his job hunting, especially in Semarang since the city is booming. Not many people his age know how to drive. Cars are very expensive, most people ride motorcycles. After he finished his driving course and got his license, his job hunting had not resulted in anything. I had told him that I was going back to Indonesia in November,2012 and we could talk. It's been 2 months now since Rofi joined "our family". I had offered to send him to a vocational school where he could learn some technical skills in 3 months, after which he could go hunting for a job again, or even start his own little enterprise as "the handy man who can fix many things". He said he would like to attend a computer college like Irwan does.

The Three University Graduates Who Call Me Mommy

December 15, 2012. Three young people, fresh graduates from the University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta arrived in Semarang. I had reserved a hotel room not too far from our house for Titus and Videz because there aren't enough rooms for everybody at our place. But as soon as they arrived, they asked if they could spend the nights with us instead of staying at the hotel (even though I was paying), even if they had to sleep on the floor. I could feel the spirits in them when they said that they wanted to be part of "the family", and I should have known.... for it is part of the Indonesian culture to be in their "comfort zone", that is: " it's fun to be under one roof". Our "son", Irwan, had put a deposit to hold the hotel room, and although it wasn't refundable, at the end it was worth to cancel the room. We had such a great time at our house for 4 days. Once again, I was surrounded by young university graduates who are smart, trained in critical thinking, and thirsty for information and advice. We brainstormed about every topics such as world politics, government policies, social challenges, future education, career planning and also ....their current romantics. We had discussions after discussions till midnight sometimes till early the next morning .... and at every meal time possible. We also had lots of laughter. I am so blessed to have them. Having them was one of the best entertainment in my life. By the time they left me to go back to Yogya, they all called me Mommy. Thalita, the Vice President of Yogya Debate Forum,whose dream is to become an Indonesian Ambassador asked me if she could

stay one more night .... how could I refuse such a bright young woman ?

Early Christmas Party in Semarang

Friday, December 7, 2012. With my best friend Endang, I went to an early Christmas party, the merriest I had ever had in Semarang. I met nice people who were mostly expats. If you are a westerner, you can expect that when you party with the expats you get to drink at least wine or beer. Most Indonesians don't drink and alcoholic beverages except for beer, are relatively expensive in Indonesia. If you are a visitor and you want to enjoy a meal with wine, you would have to go to a hotel's restaurant with a bar. In Bali and Jakarta, however, you might find some high end restaurants that serve wines. Ian and Sandra (husband and wife) from Australia were so generous to throw a very nice party at their beautiful home. Located on the hill of Semarang (literally on a cliff), a bit tugged away from the traffic, their home has a spectacular view of Semarang. Many of the guests were expats who were also members of Semarang Hash (cross country run). The foods that the hosts served were not typical Indonesian, the recipes are defintely "imported", hence some of the ingredients. Many of the guests are foreign investors who, in partnership with local businesses, make various goods such as furniture, candles, eye glasses, garments, which are exported to European countries, Australia, and the United States. Ian works as a general manager of a prominent hotel in Semarang. That same evening Endang and I were invited to another couple's home, Judith (a Phillippina) whose husband is French. They are renting an old colonial house (built during the Dutch occupation in the early 1900's), in Candi (the oldest elite area of Semarang). Again, we all had a grand time with them and their guests. Lots of laughter. Judith loves cooking, and her husband does share his bar with guests .....

Shindu's Visit

December 10, 2012. Recepient of the Gilbert Family Scholarship, Shindu Alpito, a photo journalist, had a 3-day orientation session at the Gilbert Camp #1 in Semarang (Dec. 10 - 13, 2012). He got acquainted with children of the Gilbert Camps and we discussed about his study plan for the rest of his academic calendar, and his future goal. Shindu told me of his early childhood memory, when his parents gave free math lessons to children in their neighborhood for many years. Free education has apparently instilled in Shindu's heart. Inspired by his parents, he dreams of building a school of literacy to provide basic free education for underprivileged children and adults. A week after his visit in Semarang he began his community service (required by every university in Indonesia) as part of the study program. Students community service is organized by the university which he/she attends, which consists of approximately 30 to 50 students in a group. Such community service is intended as a field study from which they learn about what a community needs, as well as how they may apply their knowledge to benefit the community. While Shindu was in Semarang, I took him and our "son", Irwan to visit my old neighborhood where I grew up. I was so thrilled to have found 2 elderly ladies whom I have known since I was a child. After 30 years of absence.... photo shows Lik Yem, Lik Djum and I after we all wiped our tears. Lik is the short form of Bulik, a javanese word for auntie. The name Yem is short for perhaps Samiyem or Tukiyem and Djum may have been Djumilah or Djumini(we have never known their full first names).... just guessing from the common javanese names I know. I promised them I will come back to visit the rest of their children and grand children.

First Experience at a Book Store

December 2, 2012. The parents of these children have never been to a book store in their lives... and so it goes on to the next generation. Today, for the first time, they experienced what it's like to be in a book store and were allowed to bring home some. Never been to a library,for there is none in their village. If they don't like to read, it's possibly because reading is done because it's required (academic / text books only, means obligation). They don't have much of an exposure to reading materials other than what the teacher uses in the classroom.

First Time to McDonald

December 2, 2012. Today, I am a mama duck again ... "herding with love" 6 children from their small village to the "big city" of Semarang.... going to a mall with an escalator ...on which they were having fun riding .... The 5 grand children of the caretaker at the Gilbert Camp #2, Tri M (15) ,Tika, Watik, Agus, and Rochid and Tri H (9) who lives by our residence. Their eyes were full of joy and curiousity once we got inside the Ciputra Mall. They have never been to the city, neither have they been to a mall. They almost couldn't believe their eyes when we arrived at McDonald. Spontaneously they said: "wow ! It's like on TV !" It was their first time at McDonald. All 6 of them were standing in front of the photo menu by the counter, and all of them ordered items that looked familiar to them, either fried chicken with steamed rice, or fried eggs, sausage, with steamed rice ... or anything that comes with rice. Then I reminded them that they didn't have to eat the same thing all the time. Now it's the opportunity to try something they hadn't had before, something different that's McDonald. Tri M picked sausage mc muffin, and all the other kids picked the same thing ... children are just too precious .... they continued to amuse me. Then the little boy Rochid (9)asked me if he could also have the steamed rice with fried chicken. I said "go ahead" ... and the rest of the kids spontaneously wanted the same thing in addition to the american item. We ended the day in the mall with a photo session with the McDonald Clown.

The Gilbert Camp No. 2

Semarang, November 30, 2012. Thirteen years ago I came back to my hometown Semarang, Indonesia to stay for 6 months. Living at the farm house was quite peaceful. I love the cooler temperature on the hills. Located about 35 miles southwest of Semarang, it is an easy drive which takes about 40 minutes from the airport. A married couple who lived behind the farm house used our land for their own sole benefits, and in exchange they live in our house for free.... this doesn't make sense to many people, especially in the western culture.. because they get to use the land for free, and they also get to live in our house for free, with free utilities as well. On top of that, they also receive a monthly pay. So where is the exchange ? Here, on the island of Java and possibly on most of Indonesian islands, people would prefer living together as a large family under one roof than living in a larger space but without their family. The javanese has a motto "Better starved than being separated from family". If they receive a compensation, however, they would live away from their family. For a job they do. Amusingly enough, the couple's family live only 300 yards away from our house, the house that they "guard", for a fee. For so many years, there is nothing in the house that needs to be guarded. My family had made the arrangement for the couple to live there so that there won't be a "stranger" living there unwelcome.

They found me odd when, in 2001, I lived there without my family, but only with a driver. An unmarried woman, and a driver. My parents (mostly my mother) came to spend some weekends with me. I had friends coming to visit often. Unlike many friends of mine, I did all the housework myself just like I do in the States. The driver did some handyman's job to fill his time when I didn't have any errands. This small household did't last long. A month later I "adopted" a sister, Audrey, 21, a French major at the State University of Semarang where I graduated from. She took one of the guest rooms. Giving her free room and board, and sometimes free transportation to school, I received the benefit of practicing my French when she was around. The University and I had set up an exchange, I was allowed to participate in any French class in exchange for teaching English. After six months, I was ready to return to the States, and Audrey too, had a different plan. She was moving to East Java to join her sister. The house was later rented out for 3 years before we began to use it again as a weekend house. We enjoy the simplicity in that community. We grow cassavas, peanuts, bok choy, and according to its season, harvest jack fruits, rambutans, and petai beans (the famous stinky beans). The couple who live free at our farm house didn't really take care of the house, however, we refer to them as the caretakers. The place is a mess, as though the caretakers deliberately ruined it. Our family every so often tried to sell it, but then we love the fruit trees so much, and we ended up pricing it high just to be curious. Great if it sells, fine if it doesn't. In the meantime, the drought was taking place. The well doesn't produce water anymore for a few years, and the community must carry water with jugs on their motorcycle from the mountain springs. So, In 2011 we dug an artesian well on our property to provide clean water for the house and for the community as well. It has been used mostly as a community well. Three of "our sons" (Irwan, Rofi, and Ahmad) are now spending so much time together there, learning how to renovate a bathroom and fixing leaky roof from the contractor that we hired. They also enjoy getting involved in the community and helping small children with little projects after school and in the weekends. Our farm house is now referred to as The Gilbert Camp #2. I would love to see a mini library there for the grand children of the caretakers. There are 5 of them who always show up whenever I come to the house. They are Tri M (15), Watik (14), Agus (13), Tika (10), and Rohid (9).... four girls and a boy.

Our "sons" Rofi and Ahmad

Week Four, November, 2012. It has been 8 months since "our son" Irwan moved to our home to join the Gilbert Family. He's doing great in school, majors in Graphic Design at STEKOM (school of computer science and electronic technology) Semarang. He never missed any class (according to him, which I believe). Proud of his academic performance during the first semester, he showed his grade report to be between B+ and A-. In the meantime, "our son" Rofi who was still living with his own parents in the town of Gringsing was ready to join our household and wanted to bring his friend, Ahmad. Rofi and Ahmad went to the same high school where Irwan attended and they all graduated at the same time in April of 2012. After a week of staying at our residence in Semarang (we frequently refer to as Gilbert Camp #1), they both occupied our farm house in Gunung Pati to find a new inspiration while trying to find a college that Mitch and I can afford to send them to. Upon our sponsorship Rofi has now gotten his driving license, which makes him a proud young man. For a month or so, he was trying to find a job with the driving license, but couldn't find any, so he came back to me and I told him that we can sponsor him to a one-year vocational college such as STEKOM where Irwan is attending. He is interested in taking computerized accounting. The date is set for him to start school on March 1, 2013. I told him that after he is finished with the one year program, he can find a job and with his earning he can continue on to other educational programs. Ahmad is a new member of the Gilbert Family who is yet to adjust to the new living condition in the city as supposed to a farm in the village, and for us to be learning about Ahmad as well. We like him fast. Good mannerism, calm, seem to be the most mature of the three boys. I have not yet met his parents, but our sons Irwan and Rofi have. Apparently their parents know each other. Ahmad and Rofi love the farm house in Gunung Pati, now we call it Gilbert Camp #2. There they met the grand children of the care takers. Five of the grand children who would soon be "our sponsored children" as well.

INVITATION TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T WIN THE SCHOLARSHIP

THE CANDIDATES WHO DIDN'T WIN SCHOLARSHIP GOT INVITED TO GILBERT CAMP Semarang, November 2012. After the University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta announced the winner of the Gilbert Family Scholarship 2013 on their website, I invited the 4 candidates who didn't win to come and visit me at the Gilbert Camp #1 in Semarang. Three of the 4 responded positive. They wanted to come and see me and spend 3 nights brainstorming. Meanwhile, I received an email from one of the 3, asking me what he could have possibly done better in the interview. I told him I would explain in person when he came to see me that week. The invitation is set for December 15th.

The Gilbert Family Scholarship 2013 .... and the winner is ....

On November 21, 2012 we came to University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta to interview the 5 candidates, namely Thalita, Titus, Shindu, Veki, and Sinta. When we met them in the hallway as they were giddily greeting us, I was already feeling guilty for 4 of them will be eliminated in the process of selection after the interview. As we shook their hands, I tried to make some connections with their letters of application, some of which we received not only via email but also international post mail or courier service. The Dean is a friendly man who is well liked by the students and some of the faculty members whom I previously met spoke highly of him. He escorted us to a room that he already designated and prepared for the interview. Each candidate would have a 20-minutes interview and there would be a 10-minute break in between interviews. We asked our general questions, then followed with necessary questions in response to their views and philosophy in leadership. Though English is not their native language, and they sometimes struggled, some of them are surprisingly fluent in speaking. Sinta tutors English while attending university. Thalita is very active in International Debate Forums. They both speak English quite well.

. Because English is not my native language either, I can relate to those who struggle and told them that their English is not being graded during this interview. It wasn't easy to select 5 out of 13 applicants .... and now we are going to have to select only one out of 5. I am very proud of my husband, Mitch on how he interviewed them; professional, asking tough questions, yet friendly and compassionate. I fell in love with him all over again.... after 8 years of sharing our lives together. It was a good time for us. Every one of the candidate hit the soft spots in my heart. I was really having a tough time making a decision.... we both were. It took us several days to make our decision. It was not till after Mitch went back to the States, on November 29th, when we announced the winner. And the winner is ..... Shindu Alpito, majors in photo journalism, winner of several photo contests, whose goal in life is to provide free education for the under privileged children and adults. Congratulations, Shindu !

Sponsoring a Student from University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

In August 2012, I contacted my friend, Lukas, the Dean of the Communication Studies, Political and Social Sciences at University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta expressing our interest in sponsoring a student. The drum rolled and by the end of September we received 13 applications. Based on 3 criteria: academic performance, leadership, and financial hardship, we selected 5 students for an interview which would take place on November 21, 2012 at the University. The Dean welcome our plan, and in October we finalized our trip plan for Indonesia ... to interview the 5 candidates on campus. This trip was very exciting for both my husband and I for we will be sponsoring a university student this time. After 20 hours of flying from San Francisco, Mitch and I arrived in Jakarta on November 18th, 2012 in the morning, then connected to a domestic flight to the city of Semarang (my hometown) on the island of Java. We had one day of rest to ourselves, on Nov. 20, and then on the 21 we drove 3 hours to Yogyakarta to interview the 5 university students who passed the screening. This was very exciting to both Mitch and I. The next day we flew to Bali and spent 2 nights there. Eating, diving, snorkeling, getting massage, walking along the beach, etc. The last day in Bali was not very enjoyable for we missed the flight and had to spend 1/2 day at the airport. The tickets were only refunded 10% because not only it was our fault, but we decided to go on and fly another airline instead of getting a replacement flight which would be the next day. The worse was from Yogyakarta, the road was so jammed, that it took 4 hours to cover a distance of only 61 miles. We arrived in Smg looking tired and joined my family for dinner as scheduled. It was raining so hard and we drove through a flood the height of almost to the floor of our car. Luckily was not for long, only a stretch of 200 yards. The food was good though the restaurant was almost closed by the time we arrived, so food was limited. The next day Mitch had to pack to catch his flight from Jakarta back to the States. By the time Mitch left, we had not made our decision yet, as to who the winner of our scholarship would be.