Going around the globe within World Vision

After 14 years away we see each other again in LAOS!!

2010-05-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Min Sor, my Cambodian brother, was my staff in sponsorship back to 1996 in World Vision Cambodia. We worked together to set up sponsorship work in Cambodia. There had been a good and bad times we went together to help the needy children in Cambodia. We cried and prayed together to build the capacity of sponsorship staff both at National level and District level. We became a good friend and also God gave us the opportunity to travel overseas, America.

We had a funny experience there as this was our first traveling to Seattle, America. At the hotel we were so thirsty and we wanted to drink water but we could not find the glass. We complained about this situation because a nice hotel should have provided water to drink for its guest. When we rang the hotel receptionist asking about the water we were shocked by her answer. She simply just informed us that we could drink the water in the bathroom from the tab. Oh...we just laughed at each other....my goodness we could drink water there....ha..ha..ha..we felt like a villagers coming to the city. Anyway thanks God as he had a chance to meet again in Vientiane, LAOS.

Min Sor, is now a lecturer of ASDEC institution whom he has provided and shared his leadership to NGO staff including World Vision. I was so blessed by his sharing about his many different leadership roles in the past years (Country Directors of Habitat in Phnom Penh, Country Director as RoomToRead, Founder of local NGO, etc.)
What a wonderful event meeting an old friend again after 14 years in a country like LAOS. Thanks God.

My family and mom had also the opportunity....

2009-12-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

I was very pleased to travel with my family and mom when I moved to WV Laos. It was my dream to be together with my family traveling. Most of the times I travelled alone or with friends. So, it was beautiful to have the opportunity to travel together with your loved one. My mom had the opportunity to stay with my family in Vientiane, LAOS. She also had never thought that could travel thus far. It is really a blessing from God to live overseas.

Just like 'reunion' in Manila, Phillipine

2009-04-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

It was wonderful to be together again with my old friends from different part of the world in Manila. My good friend such as James, Mandla, Michael, Japhet from Africa region joined this new initiative called ID Scanner pilot project and step coaching. There were some other friends coming from Armenia and Albania (Ranie & Roy). Sharon and Marcella from Latin America also participated in this team. Me and Sovithyea were Asia representative. The event in Manila was quite tiring but enjoyable because we had a good fellowship. Montserat from Mexico, Jenny from California, Mercy, Kombo and Lilian from Manila were excited to facilitate this project. In whatever event we have in World Vision fellowship is always the most valuable moment that we celebrate together. We had a beautiful dinner in Kombo's family and it was fun.

A new way of looking at Sponsorship

2008-10-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

My friends from all offices located in Asia Pacific region (Mongolia, Nepal, china, India, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Phillipine, Thailand, and Indonesia) joined together in Bangkok for a full week meeting. It was long and exiciting week when every participant enjoyed the workshop called Sponsorship Basic Training for trainers (SBT). It started from 21 to 27 September 2008 at Windsor Hotel. The method and approach of the training is based on the Robert Gagne's Nine step of instruction. 1. Gain attention, 2. Inform learner of objective, 3. Stimulate, Recall of prior information, 4. Present information, 5. Provide guidance, 6. Elicit performance, 7. Provide feedback, 8. Assess performance, 9. Enhance, Retention, and Transfer.
SBT is a new way of how to train the frontliner and also a new paradigm of sponsorship towards transformation.

Vientiane, LAOS has changed a lot !!!

2008-07-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is WVLAOS office located in Vientianne. It is said the building owned by one of the richest Laos families. The Brunei Darussalam Embassy once used this nice building as their office. After five years away from Laos, I have seen a lot of changes taking place in Vientiane. Many apartments have shown up and also traffic congestion has already started in the city. A long the Mekong river there are a lot of restaurants set up by local and foreign business people.
. Water fountain at Namphu area...is colorful now....

The most interesting training in West Kalimantan

2008-06-23T23:20:00.000-07:00

PLA Training of Trainer facilitated by Ravi Jayakaran was the most interesting training I ever attended. Participatory Learning to Action is a modification of Participatory Rural Appraisal methodology that encourages and empowers community in the development process. It enhances their analytical skills in identifying their strength, their own problem, and planning on how to address it, monitoring and evaluating the process. It is really a simple and local friendly tools. DR Ravi Jayakaran is a great facilitator in transferring this knowledge and skills to WV staff. People were excited to apply this method in a number of villages in West Kalimantan.

George Bush International Airport, Houston, TEXAS

2008-06-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

I had a 'bad' experience at the immigration office, George Bush Airport, Houston, TEXAS. Actually I was on transit at Houston Airport to Los Angeles flying with Continental Airline. I missed the connecting flight due to the immigration procedure. It took about 3 and a half hours for the officer just to get my secondary info. The Continental Airline office tried very hard to rearrange my flight but could only fly me to Los Angeles in the next day. They asked me to stay at Hampton Inn (Airport Hotel). With this incident my other connecting flight to Hong Kong and Jakarta was in a mess and I had a very tough time to rebook it. By chance I had to stay 2 days in the transiting sites(Houston & Hong Kong).

Walking to the village is my interest

2008-06-23T03:38:00.000-07:00

I like walking very much. One of the longest distance I had ever walked was reaching a village in Wamena district which took about 6-7 hours. I always enjoy walking whenever I have the opportunity to visit World Vision ministry targeted area. It always turned out to be a memorable event especially walking along with cheerful children.

Hallo friends in Cambodia....this is your sponsorship history file

2008-06-23T03:00:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken in 1996when I worked with WV Cambodia Office. I started sponsorship project in Cambodia. Seen in the picture the first sponsorship team posing at the first WV Cambodia office in Bang Keng Khong street, Phonm Pehn, Cambodia.
Prasath Balang ADP, Kompong Thom wss the first ADP funded by sponsorship. As seen in the picture the team is gathering the children for registration.
The very first sponsor visiting the ADP team at their office. It was quite a challenging and long journey visiting this ADP because the road was bumpy and broken. We needed about 6 hours drive to reach this site from the city of phnom penh. ADP Kompong Thom started with 2000 RC in one fiscal year.

Transitting to Brussel is quite impressive....

2008-06-23T02:11:00.000-07:00

My one night transit in Brussel was very impressive. Although I stayed closed to the airport I could easily access the transportation to the city. I had a chance to walk around the city with my admiration to old gothic architectures. I was almost frozen with weather there but a very hot coffee in a small cafe made me relief. It was interesting for me to observe the way people interact in these three different cities Frankfurt, Brussel, and Sierra Leone. Can you imagine my crossing over these three continents (Asia, Europe, and Africa) in just one trip?

I have some friends in Vietnam

2008-06-23T01:41:00.000-07:00

It is nice to have friends in Vietnam. During my visit to Vietnam my first surprise was to see a lot of motorbikes in almost every main road. Once I was almost hit by motorbike when trying to cross the road. Their friendly gesture made my staying enjoyable. In addition I feel like being home because of much similarity there particularly with its environment.

Myanmar is actually a religous country...

2008-06-23T01:31:00.000-07:00

This boat is taking me to a pagoda located in middle of the river. It is uch an interesting place to visit. In this river I found a lot of big fishes swimming around the temple but no body willing to catch them. Myanmar actually is a religous country where we can find a lot pagodas and monks. You can also find a nice place to see a regular cultural performance in a artistic builidng located in Yangoon.

Working in a multicultural environment

2008-06-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

I enjoy working with a multicultural team although occasionally there may be some friction, surprises, and misunderstanding because of the different culture. Often times it turns out to be a good lesson if we want to openly learn and understand it. It challenged our patience and humbleness in facing the situation. My friends from Latin America, Eroupe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa could still work together during the orientation of Digital Imaging initiative at Cebu island, Phillipine.

Costa Rica...I lack of documentation

2008-06-19T04:04:00.001-07:00

Flying to Costa Rica, Latin of America was my first long and tiring trip. It took about 21 hours flight from Jakarta-Hongkong-Los Angeles-Houston, and San Jose (Costa Rica). I was not able to document my trip more than this. I didn't have much time to see around due to the busy work and short schedule.
That is why I just took some photos from the hotel (Clarion, avenida avenue) at San Jose. in fact next to the hotel is the downtown where we can shop and buy some souvenier. However, the hotel management alerted us not to walk by night because of safety reason.

The most interesting team capacity building process

2008-06-19T03:42:00.000-07:00

There are so various programs and activities designed for capacity building in World Vision. One of the most memorable activities for me is rafting. We had some orientation before begining to raft. First thing we need to agree on some basic steps such as following the rules, performing harmonius actions, sticking to one direction, uplifting team spirit and caring each other. Rafting at Cisadane river, Sukabumi, West Java was an appropriate place for us - the beginner to make a trial. Ha..ha..

Through rafting our team spirit may be strengthened and it enhanced our sense of togetherness and unity among the members. Surely we all got wet with the waterfalls in Curug, Bogor but it was nothing compare with our joy of being together.

LAOS is a quiet and peaceful country?

2008-06-19T02:57:00.000-07:00

I have a chance to visit Luang Prabang province. It is indeed quite and peaceful spot. Every morning I see a lot of Budhist monk walking along the street to give the opportunity for the people to express their good deed. They can put gifts and foods to the monk's bowl. There are also a lot of tourists stay in this area because the accommodation and meals are relatively cheap. I have the assignment to support the sponsorship start up process with Sovithyea, a Cambodian friend.
I notice here most of the families have at least more than 4 children. I have seen a lot of children playing around in many villages. Thanks God that World Vision program has been reaching out these children through sponsorship.

Africa continent is beyond my expectation

2008-06-19T01:58:00.000-07:00

Oh God this is wonderful! I have never thought that I could visit Sierra Leone, Africa continent. Digital Imaging training was the reason for me and James Monge, my Uganda friend be in WV Sierra Leone. Landed in Africa made my travel experience in this globe complete because I have already visited four other continents (America, Asia, Australia, and Europe). God has given me this wonderful opportunity for free. It is a really free trip which I could never afford to pay with my own money.

The children are very gracious in Sierra Leone just like in other country. They are always excited to see a strange creature like me.

Just like a tourist

2008-06-18T23:15:00.000-07:00

Transit in one country can be fun. You may happen to come accross with a nice spot or tourist site like this one. Well, I had a break for a little while just like a tourist. Look! Sydney opera hall...

and King Palace in Bangkok....of course with my colleagues.

I have noticed learning local culture is key for field staff

2008-06-18T23:07:00.000-07:00

The way people eat, speak, think, live, and work is different. Look..! the way they build their houses. Don't you think they are matched with the nature? What a local wisdom!
In remote places like Wamena there are a lot of new things to learn. An outsider like me must be able to adjust with local culture. I need to show my genuine respect to their culture as an entry point before engaging with the work.

Service Award

2008-06-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Every year World Vision awards each staff who has completed his/her 5,10,15,20,25,30 years of service. I was receiving my 5 year of services from Mrs Jehangir. I started working with World Vision in 1986.

Nepal starts sponsorship

2008-06-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

The roof of the world, Nepal, is an exotic country with its magnificent Himalaya mountains. WV Nepal invited me to assist them to start with their sponsorship program. Jennifer was the first sponsorship manager in Nepal. She had the opportunity to learn about sponsorship in Indonesia.
Jennifer and the team are showing the Child Folder as a symbol that her sponsorship office started to function.

Escorting a sponsor meeting her child is a touching moment

2008-06-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

When their eyes meet each other they can't keep their tears of joy running down. Sponsor and her sponsored child express their feelings in a different way whenever they meet. Most of the time a sponsored child tend to be shy to meet strange visitor but slowly a true care and love can melt all the hindrances. Karen, a sponsor from Germany is visiting her sponsored child in WV funded orphanage in South Sulawesi.

Manila and Jeepney

2008-06-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

I never realize that I have a frequent visit to Manila. It is just like visiting another province in Indonesia. Fortunately the Asia Pacific Regional Office is also located in Manila beside in Bangkok. Manila is just like Jakarta....crowded and traffic jam. Interestingly people there always speak Tagalog to me because they never thought that I was Indonesia. Never miss riding on Jeepney....

Papua New Guinea....a 'modern' West Papua

2008-06-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

First World Vision PNG office in Madang.
Madang, where WV office located has a very scenic surroundings. Beach with its coconut trees and flowers with its butterflies are very attractive to me. The lay out of this small city is well arranged. I lived in an inn that always serve international meals. I sometimes forgot to speak English with my friends there because I thought I was staying in West Papua, Indonesia.

Relationship...we always celebrate it!!

2008-06-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Communication gathering was an annual activity for communication division staffs and their family. They got together for a vacation in a resort, like Bidadari island, Ancol. What a nice break! And we also had a special gathering with our small circle of WV friends....
We have an annual staff and family gathering to strenghten our relatioship. I enjoyed the activities because it was fun and relaxing. Ancol, located in North Jakarta, is a nice beach resort for us to stay away from routinism.

STEP celebration in Bangkok is motivating...

2008-06-18T04:36:00.000-07:00

Once in while it is necessary for us to celebrate what we have achieved coorporately. Just like this part of Global Learning Event in Bangkok. Participants were excited to express their happiness by wearing their local dress. Such a rich cultural expression!

I am encouraged with the work of field staff

2008-06-18T04:19:00.000-07:00

My friends in Central Sulawesi were eager to meet with any staff from Jakarta Office. Ferry and I were conducting a supervisory visit to a CD project in Palu. As we learnt from them we feel embarassed because the field workers often work extremely hard.

My first flight travel to Lampung

2008-06-18T04:10:00.000-07:00

I was a little bit nervous when I used flight for the very first time. I was flying to Lampung with Indonesia Airways to assist project staff in sponsorship administration. This was my first field orientation with Sponsor Relations Services manager, Grace Zebedeus. She helped me how to set the seat belt on the plane. Ha..ha.haa...what a 'village' guy or dasar kampungan.

I graduated from WV Cambodia, my first oversease assignment

2008-06-18T03:50:00.000-07:00

WV had entrusted me to assist WV Cambodia to start up sponsorship project. Through many coordination from different colleagues eventually the sponsorship office and program was established in Cambodia. Jaisankar Sarma, the National Director of WV Cambodia recognized the performance of sponsorship teamwork during Service Award event in Phnom Penh.

Trip to other National Office can be a spiritual journey

2008-06-18T02:54:00.000-07:00

Helping our colleague in WV India on how to operate Sponsorship Diskette system is quite a challenge. The reason is I have to stay in a hotel for about 1 month. This is the longest overseas trip in my life. To kill my homesick is one of the most difficult struggle. Fortunately I have been blessed with good friends like Jeff Birch and Christine Visick who helped a lot with so much fun activities such as scrabble and puzzle. On the other hand we had the opportunity to see the church of St. Thomas in Madras, India. At least I have seen the work of St. Thomas in Madras and how he sacrifized his life to the people there.

Work, Music, Choir, and Fellowship is our enjoyment in WV

2008-06-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

WV Christmas celebration at Erasmus Huis hall is so great that a big staff choir is also required to perform great hallelujah of Handel.
On a special occassion, a new born church in Cambodia invited us to celebrate the church dedication. As seen in the picture the church construction is made of bamboo buthe spirit of these new believers are strong. Me and Tribudiarjo's family formed a group band to serve this church.

The ruin of Angkor Watt reflects the ruin of Cambodia during the war..

2008-06-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

When I worked with WV Cambodia in 1995 I had a chance to travel to the famous temple called Angkor Watt in Siem Riep province. Actually it was not a safe place at that time because the Khmer Rouge still occupied some area of this site. However, me and my american friend Jim went there to see the remain of this great Cambodian Kingdom, Jayavarman. The great architecture of the past was destroyed by war and a lot of unstructure building scattered. It was like the people torn by the civil war.

I had an interesting experience. When I flied with Russian airplane from Pochentong airport. As soon as the airplane switched on the aircon slowly the cabin was full of fogging or smoke. That smoke was actually the air condition of the plane. Me and Jim just smiled.

The only place looks magnificent in the night is Hongkong

2008-06-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

I think Hongkong is a special place to visit particularly with its concrete or cemented 'forests'. A lot skyscrapers and modern buildings stands out in this small island. Our WV China office is located in Hongkong. Niranjali my friend from Sri Lanka joined the visit to the office introducing LINK system. Hongkong is quite a busy city and very crowded. I noticed people just live in a apartment. I can hardly find a house for a family.

Transiting is valuable...

2008-06-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

Wow...I have never thought that I would be in this place but due to flight transit I also have a wonderful chance to see other country. Just like my visit to Mongolia I had to fly via China and stayed in Beijing for a night. Look at this forbidden city. Isn't that fortunate for a NGO worker like me visiting this interesting site??

Mongolia is too cool...

2008-06-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

I tried to get inside the yurt (typical houses of Mongolian)it was quite comfortable because it had a complete function of kitchen, bedroom, living room, and toilet. Beside It was really warm inside.

This place was so exciting to me because there were so many hills just like golf court. I could hardly find big trees but a lot of grass. I liked to hear when they speak Mongolian. It sounded like a combination of Chinese and Russian. The animal there looked strange....full of fur. Yaks (a kind of goat) milk is consumed by the people. I believe this is a particular God's providence to keep his people survive. In fact I observed each country or area has its unique milk to drink and it has its own benefit to each context.

Our vision for every child...

2008-06-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

I enjoy vising the field and particularly interacting with children. During my visit to wamena I have been moved with the group of children who always follow my step. They are very friendly. I often spend my time telling story to the children.

Our WV office in Melbourne, AUSTRALIA, is also nice.

2008-06-16T03:40:00.000-07:00

World Vision Australia provided me an exposure on how to deal with sponsors in Support Office. I had the opportunity to promote sponsorship in a big shopping mall. We set up a small counter in the mall to attract shoppers crossing by. I was surprised to learn that most people in Australia know about World Vision. It was interesting to introduce sponsorship in a public place like mall. To attract people to our counter my friend and I are wearing our traditional custome (ulos) and also with all sponsorship marketing tools such as picture folders and posters. On that particular day I get about AUSD 2,000. What an experience!

My visit to Jim's house, Seattle, US

2008-06-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

Jim Schmick is one of my good friends. We had a very good time working in Cambodia. He used to work at World Vision Paediatric hospital and I started first sponsorhip project at Prasath Balang, Kompong Thom, Cambodia. Me, Jim, and Min Sor prayed for WVUS orientation. Praised God, Min Sor had got visa to US which was not easy to get it during that time. When Jim returned back to his country and settled in Seattle, Washington I had the opportunity to stay in his family.
The visit to WVUS office is very encouraging and also a great learning event for me and Min Sor. I am quite impressed with the office building as it is located in middle of the 'forest'. It is really attached to the nature.