Community Activities

The Rotary Jakarta Batavia provides more than education to students with disabilities. 

Photos: Nopi TNOL

Their goal is to also encourage the students by visiting Cimory, a mini farm that produces milk in Puncak, Bogor.

To our understanding, they used to hold events close to their school. The children were always accompanied by their parents, like when they made tied-batik at the Museum of Textile Jakarta some time ago.

"This time, we try to bring them away from their school to generate their courage and self-esteem by not inviting their parents to come along. This event can also train the parents to trust other people in accompanying their children," Ira Lathief, President of Rotary Jakarta Batavia explained to TNOL.

At first, Ira had said that some of the parents refused to allow this program. However, with the support from the school, they won the trust to take these children since the program gives educational value, which is very good for the students. Moreover, most of them do not know how to process milk and its benefits.

Through a first hand experience on the milking process, at least they will be interested to drink the milk. In the mean time, Ardelia Atila or Adel, one of the project officers said that Rotary chose Cimory because the children can have a fun learning experience and Cimory also offers program for elementary schools.

The program is a joint project between Professional Development Department and Community Service Department Rotary Jakarta Batavia. Professional Development Director is served by Ika Hendrani, while the Community Service Director is served by Adel.

Since the event is a collaboration of two departments, they hope to increase knowledge of the internal Rotarians, on cattle ranches subsystem from start to finish.

"In terms of Community Service, we invite children from the Petamburan Special School to learn more about the processing and marketing of Cimory because we are concerned with children with special needs," said Adel.

The group gathered at the school and the parents brought their children to get in to the bus. The students looked so happy. Some of the students did not want to be separated from their parents, but their parents finally could persuade them to board. They went to Cimory accompanied by members of Rotary and four of the teachers. The bus departed at 7:24 am.

Upon arrival at Cimory, the manager of Cimory, Donny Souisa, greeted them. He invited the group to enjoy a glass of strawberry milk made of Cimory. After that, they went down a path leading to a mini farm. The students were so excited as they knew that they were going to see the cows.

Like the other farms, the shed in this mini ranch has a wooden door. The groups were seated to hear the explanation from the manager who introduced himself as' Mr. Cow '.

According to Mr. Cow, the cows are imported from the Netherlands. Cimory has about 2,800 cows. "The cows that can be milked are cows that had given birth. We give the name 'Mori'. Meanwhile, his children named 'Cimo'," said Mr. Cow.

After milking, the kids were allowed to feed four cows. Grass had been provided, they lived thrusting into the cows. After the move they must wash their hands with soap. All are available not far from the mini farm; even the water used flows directly from the mountain. Furthermore, they also point to the factory.

There they can see how the packaging of the milk. Then, they watch a video about the factory and Cimory farm, which is found above the restaurant. According to Donny, the video was played to the visitors to help them understand more about Cimory. They then had lunch.

After lunch is over, it does not mean the event is over, there is one interesting agenda. They are taught to make milk shakes of milk Cimory. Two children are allowed to participate.

Nanda and Eki had the opportunity to make a milkshake while the other kids paid attention to Nanda and Eki. The ingredients are blended together. It took only 5 seconds, and voila! The milkshake is ready! "It's fun to learn how to make milk shakes. It's easy," Eki said.

After the making of the milk shake, their agenda was done. Before get ready to go home, each student got a bottle of yoghurt and milk. Rain was pouring on their way home. Yet, they were happy with their new experience.