by Rachmad Iqbal Bhayangkara, YES 2013-14, hosted with AYUSA in Arizona

Each year, the Indonesian YES Alumni Association conducts a short training with new alumni to help them use the skills and knowledge they gained during their year in the US to improve their own communities.  The new alumni then decide on a YES Fresh Returnee Project to be implemented on a national scale.

This year’s new alumni national project, called YES Melangkah (which literally translates as to take steps), was recently implemented around the country. The goal of this project is to introduce youth to English language, volunteerism and intercultural learning. The project was conducted in 20 chapters across Indonesia and involved various activities for students with disabilities, orphans, and boarding school students. More than 400 youth and volunteers participated in this program with the help of more than 70 YES alumni.

The alumni engaged the children in fun, interactive activities to teach English and promote intercultural understanding by sharing American culture and stories of their experiences in the US.  Alumni introduced concepts of intercultural learning by discussing stereotypes of American culture and society.

In Bogor, West Java, YES alumni conducted activities on several themes: Sharing dreams and goals – talking with students about what it means to set goals and work towards achieving them;  Know your Environment – the importance of preserving the environment and recycling; and Know your Culture – this activity aimed to re-kindle interest in preserving local culture. Unleashing their creative side, alumni in Bandung visited students with special needs and conducted skills development activities such as arts and crafts, singing and quizzes.