On the second week of July, I had a chance to visit an
orphanage on the slum part of Jakarta with my coworkers. We had a break-fasting
event with the orphans and kids around the area. (p.s. This was a fasting month
in Indonesia, so around 6 p.m, it is time for them to break their fast).
During the event, I was playing guitar to entertain them
with some songs. I was doing fine until one of my coworker asked me to share my
story since she thought that I could inspire them with my story – coming from a
humble background and I could live my dream studying in the U.S. I usually love
to share my story and to inspire, but this time was different…
Speaking in front of the kids, I couldn’t get my words out
as usual. I couldn’t talk as passionate as I used to do.
At the end of the event, my coworker asked me: “Timmy, what
was wrong? You seemed very unsettled during your sharing time.”
 |
| The situation during the event |
Then I told her:
“It seemed to me it is unfair to tell them that I come from
the same humble background like them. I am very very fortunate to have both of
my parents, complete family, access to clean water every day. I mean, look at
them, some of them don’t have any parent, they don’t have access to clean
water, they live in a dirty area. My condition is very fortunate if I compare
it to them.”
It hit me that sometimes I kind of bragging about my
humble background. I love telling people that I have very humble background,
yet looking at the condition of the orphans; I am very very much blessed. That
day I learned that I should always be more grateful for my condition.
