Make Her Strong Again--CF Anti-Traffic/Indonesia

On April 1st I boarded a plane for Indonesia to continue my internship with Compassion First at Sarah’s House. Nearly a month--plus the entire 24 hours of travel--was spent trying to prepare and anticipate what the shelter, staff, and girls would be like. Now, having experienced my first few weeks here, I can share that it is so much more than I ever expected.

I felt welcomed into Sarah’s House immediately; the girls even prepared a little cheer for my arrival. Every day the girls have planned activities and classes as part of their individual programs. I have been able to start teaching life skills and fitness, and the girls have been training me in guitar, the Indonesian language, and how to handle the spicy cuisine. We have set goals to improve morning workouts and to get my badminton skills up to par. I love that they are excited to share with me and am grateful to learn from each of them.

These girls are incredibly talented and smart, and have moved me daily with the happiness and hope they radiate. Each day is different, and no doubt hard times are felt here as well, but the sense of optimism never leaves. The ability for each one to wake up with a smile on her face and have ambitions for the day speaks volumes about the work of Compassion First and the environment at Sarah’ House.

The staff here truly gives all they have to support the girls through the program. Everyone works hard to ensure the success of each resident. Though the work is difficult at times, the same hopefulness felt throughout Sarah’s House exists in the staff office. Most days the hard work and focus is broken up by spontaneous lip-sync competitions and sharing some of the best snacks imaginable. Seeing the staff and girls approach each challenge with unfailing optimism and faith is what makes this such a special place.

Sarah’s House is constantly full of so much joy--music, laughter, and dancing are nearly constant. In my first weeks, I have realized the real magic is best seen through the small acts, done with great love. Moments like standing under a waterfall and having a girl lean in to express her happiness, or the whole group falling asleep in the van on the way home from a day full of swimming or simply eating fried bananas. Walking into the shelter each morning and sharing a joke or two with a few girls and house moms, and seeing two tables, full of smiles, on the patio at lunchtime are what turn the staff and girls at Sarah’s House into family.