We must say that the word generous might be such an understatement for Teman Baleton. A few days before, we announced the idea of #BaletonBerbagi on our Instagram, whereas Teman Baleton are able to participate for this event. This event itself is called #BaletonBerbagi, an event where us from Baleton connects Teman Baleton and these loveable children through a social organization named Teaching Saturday. To be precise, we opened the opportunity for you guys to participate in giving charity for children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and also victim of sexual abuse from Yayasan Vina Smart Era.
Based on our point of view, most of the time children with HIV and sexual abuse experience are discriminated by society. We do know that their illness or traumas are most likely non contagious, not to mention that each of it can’t be transferred by air or a single touch. But still, it seems like that there’s a prejudice, attached to their social status that pushed people away from having friends with them. We believe we should see them as whole, a human who needs to be treated equally without looking at their past nor their illness. They do have the same chance and rights to live among the society. In that case, we decided to bridge them, making sure that they have a place in society by the help of this charity event.
During this charity event, any kinds of charity are welcome, we opened the charity in a quite short period of time. Yet little did we know, Teman Baleton really showed enthusiasm for this charity event! The fact that we have plenty of charity to share, made us even more excited. It was an honor to be trusted by so many large-handed persons. Thanks to all of Teman Baleton’s support, we were able to held this event on Saturday, March 27th. Located in West Jakarta, we visited Yayasan Vina Smart Era to see these adorable kids and give them what has been trusted to us. Strolled down the narrow alley, in such excitement with a hint of nervous, we slowly heard the giggles of these children we were about to see. A warm welcome was given to us when we finally reached Yayasan Vina Smart Era house.
Stumbling tiny feet and high-pitched chuckles were the first things we heard when we stepped into the house. We thought that these kids might be confused by our presence, a bunch of strangers with things they carried along. But we started to introduce ourselves and on what purpose we came visited them on such a sunny weekend. Boys and girls, tall to short, fair skin to dark skin, all of them looks different to each other but we were unable to ignore the fact that these children are friendly to us! We clapped, sing along, and played together. They were far from the word ‘shy’.
Very young and energetic, not to mention that they were kind and highly-cooperative with us; a bunch of strangers they have never seen before. During the entire event, it felt like they considered us as a longtime friend of theirs. We became friends in instant! Even though we were gapped by age, it did not stop them to be friendly and welcome our presence. Those types of greetings are a real eye-openers for us. These kids are soft-hearted and humble. Some of them might get some horrifying abusive treatment from their relatives, or have to live up to the fact that they have HIV inside their veins for life, but they managed to be friends with us.
They had a terrible past during their earlier stage of life, the comorbid they earned since the day they were born, or multiple traumatic events they received from their parents. Other than they were sheltered in Yayasan Vina Smart Era, the thing they have in common and what matters for us is their fiery spirit to live. We were stoked by their willingness to live, they could just be so fed up with life and not living their days to the fullest, spending their day on couch or bed doing nothing. But instead, they were able to live life, making their day even better with some activities. Most of people might see them as ‘malfunctioned’ or even straight-rejects since they have HIV or barely-recovered traumas, but you have to know that none of them deserves to be seen that way.
That day was an insightful day for Baleton, we were lucky enough to meet young and strong children figures we cannot mention they name of. They really taught us on how to stay humble to other human being, no matter what or how they see you. Their smile ensures us that we should stay positive, giving moral support to each other without seeing any other stigmas. Very innocent of us, the first we came we thought we were the ones who carried belongings and will left that house empty-handed, but the truth is we left that house with even more meaningful belongings; a lifetime lesson.
These #BaletonBerbagi was a meaningful experience for us, but none of this would happen if it’s not because of Teman Baleton’s help! We gained more and more each day thank to your help and participation. Not to mention Miss Bella and Miss Ai from Teaching Saturday, major shoutout to them for bringing us to get to know the kiddos from Yayasan Vina Smart Era. A lot of help we received, we are out of words on how to describe these grateful and happy feelings of ours. Hopefully, this journey we’ve been telling will bring some impact to you, dear readers, stay positive!
