Agent of Hope Awards on International Volunteer Day 2009
HE El-Mostafa Benlamlih
Volunteers are the backbone and history of HOPE worldwide all over the world. Through their dedication and continuous supports, we are able to bring hope and change lives to many lives. 350,000 Indonesian lives impacted in 2008 alone through health, education, and disaster relief programs.
In regard of 2009 International Volunteer Day, HOPE worldwide Indonesia hosted a special dinner “Together We Bring Hope and Change Lives” on December 3, 2009. The event was meant to acknowledge the importance and impact of volunteerism. Fifteen persons/organizations were also awarded the “Agent of Hope Award” as recognition of their dedicated services and efforts to bring hope to the people in need so that they have the opportunity to change their lives around.
The keynote speaker, H.E. El-Mostafa Binlamlih, United Nations’ Resident Humanitarian Coordinator (UN Ambassador for Indonesia) stated
Your contributions and volunteerism through an organization like HOPE worldwide in Indonesia is a great effort in reducing poverty. Many years ago leaders of governments sat down to set up the Millennium Development Goals, which is to reduce poverty by 2015, and your efforts are changing lives
“Together We bring Hope and Change Lives” brings an important message that partnership is a key for creating better world. “What we have done is only a small part for humanitarian mission in Indonesia. We couldn’t walk alone, without the willingness of each one of you here and out there, our goals in changing people’s lives will be impossible,” said Harliem Salim, chairman of Board of Trustees, on his welcome speech.
Dr. Bonar Tobing is one of dedicated volunteers that served through various disaster reliefs and health programs. Dr Tobing is always ready to pack his bags and equipments within hours of disasters as he did in Tsunami, Jogja earthquake, West Sumatra earthquake, and many others. He put his life in danger for many others whom he never knew. Once he escaped a collapsed building in the 8.7 richter scale Nias Island earthquake in 2005 only to be serving the injured in the pitch dark. Dr Tobing is a true agent of hope.
On that night, the invited guests were also entertained by WARNA, a dedicated group that continuously promote HOPE worldwide and its cause. One of the songs the group performed had words “there is a miracle when you believe……” as a representation of the beliefs and compassion of all HOPE worldwide’s volunteers.
The children from Saturday Academy programs in Cilincing, Pedongkelan, and Mangga Dua also performed a musical ensemble titled “Unsung Hero” (Pahlawan Tanpa Tanda Jasa) for their volunteer teachers who tirelessly come to teach them every Saturday in their slums where they tried to survive daily with their families and community.
The children were later joint by Universitas Pelita Harapan (Candle of Hope University) with their choir and traditional dances from around Indonesia.
A photo exhibition was also on display showing the smiles and hard works of volunteers as they go another mile to serve another person and community.
Thank you! All volunteers and agents of hope that continuously inspire us to serve better in fighting poverty.
