Puck in Indonesia

A Unique Opportunity

During a conversation with fellow students, I learned that The Power of Sports was looking for former participants to join a pilot group traveling to Indonesia. Since I was already planning a trip through Southeast Asia after my studies, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I immediately reached out to Ruben to see if I could combine it with my travels. It was possible, and a few months later, I found myself on a plane, heading to Indonesia with the pilot group.

The Arrival in Semarang

Semarang, a city in Java, was a brand-new location for The Power of Sports. While accommodation and the Indonesian team were already in place, there was still a lot to be arranged—our responsibility as the pilot group. Our team consisted of seven people: two boys and five girls (Oscar, Jasper, Bo, Teuntje, Nynke, Kat, and me). Each of us brought unique strengths to the group, making for a fantastic team.

In addition to our group, we worked with the Indonesian team. Yogi, the project manager in Semarang, ensured everything ran smoothly. We also had the support of Ayu, Giza, Wanda, and Harris at the schools. Ayu, Giza, and Wanda were students around our age, and we quickly became close friends. Harris was initially responsible for photos and videos, but in reality, we all took part in capturing memories. Finally, Fahry gave us Indonesian lessons every week. We truly had an amazing team, each person contributing their own talents.

Teaching Sports at Schools

From Monday to Thursday, we conducted sports lessons at various schools. Each day was split into two sessions: morning sessions from 8:00 to 10:30 and afternoon sessions (after school) from 15:30 to 17:30. Between sessions, we had time to prepare, relax, and adjust our approach based on what worked best.

In the first week, we started with two schools. Since we all had prior experience with The Power of Sport, we had a clear understanding of expectations. However, after evaluating the situation, we realized that the initial target group was not entirely suitable for the project.

As a pilot group, we took immediate action, searching for a larger and more appropriate target group. In the first week alone, we visited six schools, each visit feeling like a celebration. Everywhere we went, students and teachers welcomed us with open arms. The Indonesian team introduced the project and discussed possibilities with the schools. Within just a week, we had expanded to five schools! We were incredibly proud of our efforts and the amazing teamwork that made it possible.

Expanding Our Reach

During our Sunday evaluation, we reviewed the new schedule. With more schools involved, our schedule became busier, but our impact grew fivefold. The target group now matched our original vision, making the extra effort well worth it.

Most schools had small playgrounds, so teaching sports required a lot of improvisation. The after-school sessions, in particular, were often chaotic—sometimes with up to 90 children on a small playground! Yet, we always found a way to make it work. The most important thing was ensuring the children had fun—and we certainly succeeded (not just the children!).

Community Engagement

On Sundays, we visited social communities (foundations) to introduce sports programs. This also required improvisation, but we quickly learned to adapt. Many local volunteers were eager to help, and we encouraged them to take an active role. Tip from Flip: involve the volunteers as much as possible. Teaching them how to lead activities ensures that sports can continue even in our absence.

Each Sunday was different. One week, we would be playing football on a massive field with thirty children; the next, we might be in a crowded neighborhood leading games for fifty kids. No two days were the same, and that made it even more exciting.

Life Outside of Teaching

Beyond our work, there were plenty of fun activities for volunteers and interns. Tuesday nights were reserved for a sports activity with the Indonesian team—football or badminton, which strengthened our bond and was always great fun. On Wednesday evenings, we had Indonesian lessons with Fahry. Weekends (Friday and Saturday) were free for trips, often organized by Yogi. We explored places like the Dieng Plateau and Yogyakarta, making the most of our time in Indonesia.

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend joining The Power of Sports in Indonesia. The accommodation is beautiful, the Indonesian team is incredible, and the food is delicious. You can get an amazing Nasi Goreng for just one euro! Beyond that, Indonesia is a country filled with breathtaking nature and warm, welcoming people.

I cherished every single day of this experience. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing project. A huge shout-out to my pilot group—I loved every moment with you! And, of course, I’m deeply grateful to the Indonesian team. We made such a great team together, and I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished.

It’s a wrap!!!

“Sorry sorry” Ma’aaaff!