My last day in Bogor began as each previous, a soothing morning prayer reverberating my room, followed by a quick shower, a fruit plate, and a few eagerly devoured e-mails from my daughter (doing an internship at Sound Strategies SEO in New York), and my boyfriend (away working in Europe). I laugh when I read through the e-mail because I can never remember what day it is in each location, much less the hour. I sent out a few photos and found myself a little sad that my time with the boys was coming to an end so soon.  

My eyes found the smiling faces of Anwar and Lisa (the dedicated Childfund faculty who had accompanied me throughout my visit), and my thoughts were set-aside for the time being as we began our adventure for the day.

On my third, and sadly, final day in West Java, Lisa was taking me to visit each of the programs that are funded through the Childfund foundation. It would be my opportunity to see the work they do in the community and for the villagers to get to ask me questions about myself or the U.S.

First we arrived back where I had originally met Lutfi and his family. The small school was in session with prime number pyramids on the white board and scratched in careful pencil in each childs notebook. They were all very shy when I came in. I sat down with the children on the thin rug that was rolled out over the smooth cement floor. It was very warm and I could feel the beads of sweat rolling down the center of my back. There was only one small fan that, even though electric, seemed to offer little more relief than a hand-held attempt.  The children became more and more inquisitive as I showed them where I lived on the globe and simulated flying airplane noises to demonstrate how I came to be there in Java. With some of the children practicing their English and some assistance from Anwar we talked about their school and their families and their hopes for the future. Four doctors, six teachers, two police officers, and one football player later they all squealed and clapped ‘never give up!’ in Indonesian and I was ushered on to the next program site.

Along with nutrition, pregnancy, and early childhood education, funds given to the community programs provide for music and dance that are deep traditions within the culture. Children learn traditional Balinese dance from ages 5 and up. I felt like some kind of royalty as I approached the second school and the children burst out to greet me. Whatever shy nature the first group of children displayed was made up is sheer joy and enthusiasm from this group. Over 35 children met me, hands stretched out hardly able to let the previous childs hand fall away before the next was grabbing mine and lifting it to their forehead. After the friendly formalities concluded, the music started and a group of the children raced into the large, open, plain white walled room with tiled floor. As I entered they had already begun their dance and I watched in awe.

There were 4 performances in all, each with a different age group and a different traditional dance. They were insistent in my attempted participation, obviously not knowing my complete lack of grace. After the dances concluded we sat and I answered questions about the magical far off land named, “California”.

Hysterically one of the older boys who spoke reasonably broken English said, “you Pamela Anderson.”

I couldn’t stop laughing long enough to be both flattered and insulted and I had to settle for a simple, smiling, “Tarima Kasih” Thank you.

Our day continued with more music, drums, children, and laughter, before concluding with a shared afternoon with families from the community who conveyed their personal stories of how they and their children have been impacted by all the work being done in their community.  It was wonderful and powerful, and it was my great pleasure to be privy to a collection of such kind and humble people.

Childfund International was an organization I just happened upon by coincidence really.  I hadn’t done my due diligence in researching the efficacy of the foundation or the nature in which they distributed their funds (although, luckily, they are quite ethical and responsible). I just spontaneously picked up a random picture, of a random child, that lived in a random place.

I have since come to know that it was my very good fortune to have done so.

Lutfiansaya is the first of several children I have sponsored and he is the first I have had the opportunity to visit. After such a wonderful experience here, I am very sure I will find a way to visit each of the sponsored families I have through the Childfund program.  I don’t fancy myself a spokesperson and I can’t stand sales pitches or pushy guilt trips…all that being said, if you have the means…this whole reaching out to help support families around the world, and finding ways to create new and wonderful connections, is worth far more than the $28 a month investment. I head back to Bali a far richer person than I was 3 short days ago.  My love and great appreciation to the Maulana family for their kindness and welcoming hearts.   www.ChildFund.org