EN-ID Blog
Summer vacations are often associated with relaxation and leisure time. However, for Kirana Ratomo, an 11th-grade student at Jakarta Intercultural School, summer became the beginning of a much more meaningful journey. Through her involvement as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, Kirana embarked on an inspirational path that not only had a positive impact on her, but also on many children in surrounding communities.
Meeting Habitat for Humanity Indonesia
Kirana’s journey with Habitat Indonesia began when she participated in a mission trip program at her church, IES Jakarta. Along with her mother and older sister, Kirana got involved in building homes in Mauk, Tangerang. Although she had no experience in construction, she felt truly appreciated by the supportive volunteer team.
“The team was so supportive, even though I wasn’t the best at building foundations or installing wires, they still valued my efforts. That’s what made this experience so valuable,” she recalls gratefully.
Kirana’s enthusiasm grew, and she continued to engage in various Habitat activities, including an internship program that brought her closer to the communities that Habitat Indonesia supports.
The Birth of Segar Hati Project
Kirana has a great passion for the arts, and it was here that her creativity made a significant impact. Seeing that many children in underprivileged communities lacked a space to express their creativity, she was inspired to start a social project that combined art with social activities. Thus, Segar Hati was born—a non-profit project focused on murals and building playgrounds from recycled materials for kindergarten children around Jakarta.
This project became an opportunity to introduce art as a medium of expression for children. Every Saturday, Kirana and other volunteers hold mural sessions at various locations, such as early childhood education centers, apartment complexes, and villages.
“Painting is the best way to bond. There is no right or wrong picture; everyone can be creative. I want children to experience the freedom to express themselves through art,” Kirana explains enthusiastically.
Read also: Digital Reading Corner: Enriching Learning Opportunities Together
A Journey Not Always Smooth
Although the Segar Hati project brought much joy, challenges were inevitable. One of the hurdles was running out of paint during the mural process, while the nearest paint store was an hour away from the location. Additionally, Kirana admits that she initially struggled with delegating tasks to her team.
“At first, I was a perfectionist and wanted everything done according to my own vision. But I’ve learned that teamwork is important. Now, I can delegate tasks more effectively and trust my team members,” she reveals, sharing the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way.
The Real Impact of Segar Hati Project
The positive impact of this project is evident, especially for the children involved. Kirana recalls how children who were initially shy and hesitant eventually became more enthusiastic and even started playing and joking around.
“At first, they were afraid to talk to me, but after we painted together, the atmosphere became more relaxed. That was a very valuable experience,” says Kirana, reminiscing about the moments of joy and laughter.
Kirana and her team plan to continue expanding the Segar Hati project. In addition to painting at early childhood education centers and apartment complexes, they aim to expand the project to children’s hospitals and other public spaces. Kirana hopes that more young people will be inspired to get involved in similar social activities.
“Try new things. I started by building houses, something I never imagined before. But from there, I found that stepping out of my comfort zone could lead me to extraordinary experiences,” Kirana shares as a message for young people out there.
Habitat Young Star: Becoming a Change Agent
Kirana’s story is a real testament to the fact that a small step can lead to a big change. With her passion and dedication, she not only contributed to the community but also inspired many people to try, share, and create a positive impact.
Habitat Young Star is a movement initiated by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia to involve young people as change agents. Through concrete actions, Habitat Young Stars directly contribute to volunteering activities, from building homes, beautifying public spaces, to educating the community about health and sanitation.
Become a part of Habitat Young Star and channel your energy and creative ideas to bring about real change! Click here to join: www.habitatindonesia.org/become-volunteer
(ss/kh)
