On Sunday, September 29, 2024, the Tourism Marketing Management Student Association (HIMA MPP) successfully held the Rumah Ceria event at Al-Kautsar Orphanage in Lembang. This event aimed to foster solidarity, social awareness, and provide education and creative experiences for the children at the orphanage. With the theme “Caring Hands, Green Hearts,” Rumah Ceria 2024 was not just about social care but also about raising environmental awareness and creativity in a fun and engaging way.
The event began with a Jaipong dance performance and a sholawat recitation by the children of Al-Kautsar Orphanage. Their performance set a warm and lively atmosphere, creating a close bond between the organizers and the children. After the opening session, the event continued with an interactive session on waste recycling. The children were taught about the importance of protecting the environment in an enjoyable way, including sing-along activities and a Q&A session with prizes. Their enthusiasm was evident as they eagerly answered questions and participated actively in the discussion.
As part of the environmental education activities, the children were encouraged to decorate used bottles with acrylic paint. These decorated bottles would later be used as plant pots, instilling the idea that recycled materials can be transformed into something useful and aesthetically pleasing. This session became one of the children’s favorites, as they had the freedom to express their creativity through various colors and patterns. After finishing the bottle decorations, the event continued with a handprint painting activity, symbolizing unity and serving as a memorable keepsake from Rumah Ceria 2024.
Before concluding the event, the organizers distributed snacks as a token of appreciation for the children’s participation. Additionally, a donation was handed over to Al-Kautsar Orphanage, collected through an open donation campaign from various generous supporters. For the organizers, seeing the children's happiness was the most rewarding outcome of this event.
Jasmine Kayla Tendean, the Chairperson of Rumah Ceria 2024, expressed her hope that this event would benefit both parties. “We hope that through this event, both the organizers and the orphanage children can gain something valuable. As the CSR division, this is our way of fostering social awareness and gaining meaningful experiences in helping others. For the children, we hope our presence brings them joy, love, and cherished memories.”
Similarly, Bunda Lita Fitriani, the Treasurer of Al-Kautsar Orphanage, expressed her gratitude for the event. “For me, seeing them happy is enough. When they laugh and feel entertained, they momentarily forget any sadness they may have experienced. Through this happiness, they are also more open to receiving new knowledge and experiences.”
Rumah Ceria 2024 proved that simple acts of kindness can make a big difference to those in need. More than just a social event, it served as a platform for students to learn about sharing, develop empathy, and raise awareness about the importance of caring for others. Hopefully, Rumah Ceria will continue as an annual event that not only brings joy to orphaned children but also inspires more people to take part in meaningful, long-lasting acts of kindness.
Author : Muhamad Sabil Fawwazian Taufik & Ardhi Hernawan