After a visit to Jakarta orphanage
FIVE teachers from Geylang Methodist Primary School (GMPS) have acquired a deepening love for God and compassion for the less privileged following their return from a visit to an orphanage in Jakarta recently.
The purpose of the trip was to find out more about orphanage work in Jakarta and to see whether there was any possibility of the school helping out with the work there. The trip was part of the school’s Teachers’ Service Learning Programme.
The teachers — Mrs Tan Siew Kuan, Miss Lisa Choy, Miss Anna Lai, Miss Chua Choo Geok and Mrs Chiok Su Hsien — stayed in “Five Loaves Two Fishes”, an orphanage started by a woman named Susie Wadjaja and her husband, Fanny, from Aug 8 to 10.
During their stay there, they visited three villages and helped Mrs Wadjaja distribute food and stationery sets to the villagers, many of whom are poor and jobless. They also put up a puppet show, a dance item and shared God’s word with the people.
They were especially blessed by the life and work of Mrs Wadjaja. Her deep love for God and her compassion for the poor and the less privileged have encouraged them to be like her. The mother of six children and the wife of a rich businessman, Mrs Wadjaja has no airs about her and always finds time to reach out to the less fortunate.
Said Mrs Tan: “This trip has deepened our love for God and helped us to be more aware of the needs of the people around us.
“We also thank God for the wonderful support of our principal and colleagues. Some of the teachers gave cash donations while others helped by donating stationery and food items such as biscuits and cereal. The teachers’ desire to help was evident. God willing, we will go back again to serve.”
the “Singapore Fun Dance”. — GMPS picture.