Dear reader,
In this post I would like to share you my experience during my volunteer experience in the Newcastle, North East England. I was still very thin back then. It has been 2.5 years ago, but the memory is still embedded crystal clear in my mind. Hope y'all enjoyyyyyy it!!
Introduction
to British Council and UK School Games
When I shared the announcement about the
British Council competition with my mentor, his response was “There will be a
lot of applicants, but go for it. Imagine how you would feel if you are
selected as the winner.” The winner of this competition would go to North East
England for representing Indonesia being the young leaders and volunteers there
in September 2010, at an event named UK School Games.
I made an application, went through the
interview, and then I was thrilled to receive an email telling me that I had
won. My mentor was right about the feeling.
Indonesia and ten other countries were
included to take part as volunteers there. These countries are known as
International Inspiration countries. We all flew from around the world to
Newcastle.
Newcastle is a really beautiful city; there
are many trees but the weather is really cold there.
The delegation from Indonesia was the
second arrived there after Nigeria. It was really interesting to meet other
young leader from other countries. I chatted with some of them at the first
dinner, and it was so incredible knowing and learning the differences in
cultures between II (International Inspiration) countries.
Already friendships were beginning.
The
Opening Ceremony
I was the “lucky” one to represent the II
students to stand on the stage at the opening ceremony. While I took a part in the
general rehearsal, I met and took a photo with Amy Williams. She is the gold
medallion for Winter Olympics. What a great experience!
The opening ceremony was fabulous. That
evening was glorious with music, laser, parades, and the media. Even though the
weather was really cold for me, I did well for
my job, and I am told that I may have appeared on BBC and ITV.
Volunteering
at The Games
Being a volunteer was a new role and new
job for me, this was my first time.
On the first day, I did well for being the
operator of electronic scores board in athletics. Watching some disabled
athletes and how they struggled to earn a medal was incredible for me. Their
fighting spirit was a magic moment for me.
The second day, I was assigned to volunteer
in the volleyball tournament. It was a really exhausting day, 9 matches in a
row without any break for me. The most interesting part was when I was given a
smile by the official for mopping the floor, although the coach of the London
team in the last match protested to me that I was mopping too much. I enjoyed
so much the second day of my volunteering.
The third day was interesting for me, I was
assigned to be ball boy in field hockey. After the matches finished, I had to present
the medal to the winner.
Seeing the happy faces and disappointed
faces of winning and losing the matches showed how great was their spirit for this
school games. Though I realize that sport could unite all people from many
differences and make them happy.
Friends
for Life
Saying goodbye was the hardest thing. When
we had to say goodbye, tears were running down our faces. We realized that in
just one week we had already become close friends.
We chose a name for our relationships,
“friends for life” since we are separated by distance, time, and cultures, but
nothing could stop us having this relationship.
Would y'all like to hear my personal strive to enjoy this experience? Wait for my next post!
See y'all until then. :)
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