ROTA (Reach Out To Asia), a non-profit organization for education, regularly organizes volunteer assignments in developing countries in Asia, including Indonesia. This time ROTA sent 20 volunteers from Qatar University to do volunteer work in Bayat, Klaten, Central Java. Muhammadiyah Primary School (SD MPK) was chosen as the place for their activities. Titian Foundation (Titian) staff assisted ROTA in preparation, arranging activities, and coordinating between ROTA and SD MPK.

These volunteer activities were conducted on April 7th – 12th, 2018. Volunteers were divided into four groups and presented workshops on Arabic language, computers, environmental issues and some sports activities. Aside from classroom activities, the volunteers also did some renovation work. Volunteers repainted, organize books, and decorated the school’s library so that students can comfortably read in the library. In addition, the volunteers also helped renovate the school’s kitchen and donated sports equipment.

In between their jam-packed schedules, volunteers allocated some time to take wooden batik workshops and play with children at Titian’s CLC. On the last day, the volunteers held a community activity with the Women Farmers’ Group of Jarum Village. Not only did they make compost from organic materials, the volunteers also planted various kinds of vegetables, such as chili, mustard and tomatoes. (SSD)