JAKARTA – The Jakarta Humanity Festival (Jakhumfest) 2023 presents a variety of exciting activities with the community and inspirational talk shows that provide new insights for visitors. One that is not to be missed is the Volunteer Talk show.
Arif Rahmadi Haryono filled this talk show, General Manager (GM) of the Strategic Alliance and Advocacy of Dompet Dhuafa and Syamsudin Ilyas, Founder of the Little Journalist Class (KJC). The two speakers shared their ups and downs during their time in the world of volunteering.
The story of volunteering was started by Syamsudin Ilyas, a journalist who founded the Little Journalist Class for children in his hometown, Cilincing, North Jakarta. This movement arose from the anxiety of Ilyas, who felt uneasy whenever he saw the little children in his area. According to Ilyas, the children were precocious.
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Armed with expertise in journalism, Ilyas then decided to create a Little Journalist Class in 2018. Not a few people sneer at him because of this; even the sneers come from close people. Even so, those things did not make Ilyas daunted.
“It’s crazy, Yas. You are crazy, and journalism cannot enter the world of children,” Ilyas said, mimicking discordant voices who sneered at his intention to establish KJC.
“But because my determination was already strong to pass on that knowledge to the children, I finally kept moving, Bismillah, who cared about their words,” Ilyas continued.
Time went by, and Ilyas’ determination and sincerity came with good results. The kindness was able to soften the hearts of his once doubtful colleagues. If they used to sneer, now they are doing the same thing, which is to help Ilyas run the KJC.
“Suddenly, the miracle appeared. Friends who say ‘You are crazy, Yas’, suddenly they helped me. Eventually, journalism can be known to the world of children who previously said it was impossible; now it is possible,” said Ilyas.
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The Little Journalist class itself runs for four months in each batch. Children are taught writing techniques, reportage, and ethics in dealing with crowds in the first month. Then, in the second month, the children are taught simple photographic techniques and the history of the recording devices they will use during practice.
During the remaining two months, the children will practice the things they have learned over the previous two months. Furthermore, the result of the practice is an exhibition of the journalistic work of KJC children. This exhibition event was also attended by several communities, academics, officials, and regional observers.
“The final exhibition of the children of the Little Journalist Class proves this activity is positive. There is an auction of works where children can sell the works to the public, and the works can be producible, as well,” said Ilyas.
The success of KJC cannot be separated from the principle that Syamsudin Ilyas firmly adheres to, working sincerely and selflessly. If so, Ilyas believes Allah will accompany and help him to the good that benefits others.
“When doing something, it must be sincere and keep moving, don’t have any other desires, walk, move, and be sincere. With God willing, the sky soldiers will help us,” he said.
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On the other hand, Arif Rahmadi Haryono, as the GM of the Strategic Alliance and Advocacy of Dompet Dhuafa, also has an experience that is no less impressive while in the world of volunteering. The impressive thing was when he was sent to a conflict country by Dompet Dhuafa to help the refugees.
Syria and Myanmar are two of the most memorable high-conflict countries Arif Rahmadi has ever explored. During the journey, Arif felt that Allah always helped him in the most crucial moments that felt impossible to pass on. However, those moments became Arif’s turning point to learning lessons and becoming a servant closer to Him.
“Good intentions always find His way, even though we had to face the big wall (problem) beforehand,” said Arif Rahmadi.
“If the intention is good, Allah wants to open the way. I came not to find any problems, didn’t I? I came to help the refugees, the Syrians, who were indeed affected by the disaster. In the end, Allah opened the way.”
“So, when we think we don’t have any ways or are completely pegged, yes,we’ve just surrendered to God. In those crucial moments, God wants to test us; that is where our level of surrender and faith is tested. That is where we return to God, surrender,” he added.
In addition, Arif also revealed the principles of life that are why he entered the world of volunteering. The principle is to do good in any form, even small things like feeding a street cat. This principle is undoubtedly in line with volunteering, where we give free time to help others. Arif also believes that one good brought to life will trigger another goodness that will multiply.
“Change is often not imagined to be big if we don’t start with ourselves. I do not want to demand that others do the same. However, at least with the hand we have, God has given us enough privilege, so why not take advantage of it? I believe God will help us if we want to help others,” concluded Arif. (Domepet Dhuafa/Ronna)