Written by Rizky Amelia , VDMS Alumna from Lambung Mangkurat University (UNLAM), Banjarmasin

The story began with a “jealousy”. We envied other RRs in VDMS and we came to a question why there was not any RR in Kalimantan at all. This question then brought some of the alumni of VDMS in Banjarmasin to meet on Saturday, October 5^th 2013. It was an unforgettable moment since the Centennial of van Deventer – Maas Stichting was just celebrated. It was my very first time to see the Foundation’s Board members and the officials. Moreover, that was also the first time I understood VDMS fully from the very beginning up to now by listening to the speeches and presentations at the Centennial and by reading the book of 100^th years of VDMS.

I got the complete answer from Mrs. Parche that RR is not a compulsory task; as a result it depends on the alumni themselves. Ms. Jessica has ever given me the contacts of some alumni and I tried to call and keep in touch with them, yet it was really hard. It might be because of various problems and reasons.

I found all alumni in other RRs are special from their previous activities and sharing. I hope VDMS Alumni in Banjarmasin could also do what they did. I felt more motivated than before. It felt like being in a circle of friends which feels like a big family.

Banjarmasin, October 13^th 2013. Burger Qi-Ka Sultan Adam. From left to right: Noor Agiat, Dwi Handika, Rizky Amelia, Juanda, and M. Rijali Riyadi.

Then, I remembered Kak M. Rijali Riyadi who is one of the alumni in Banjarmasin and asked his opinion about it. A few days later, we tried to contact the alumni and grantees whose contacts were with me to invite them coming to a mini gathering for sharing (as can be seen in the above picture). We, then, proposed the RR Banjarmasin and luckily it was accepted by VDMS.

WHAT’S GOING ON THEN?

The following is the list of RR Banjarmasin activities from November 2013 to March 2016.

1. November 24^th 2013. Leader: Rizky Amelia, Car Free Day Area around Sabilal Muhtadin Bjm
2. December 8^th 2013. Leader: Rizky Amelia, Car Free Day Area around Sabilal Muhtadin Bjm
3. December 15^th 2013. Leader: Rizky Amelia, Car Free Day Area around Sabilal Muhtadin Bjm
4. February 8^th 2014. Leader: Noor Agiat, SDN Kuin Utara 6 Banjarmasin
5. February 15^th 2014. Leader: Annisa R. Amanda, Ar-Risalah Putri Orphanage Banjarmasin
6. February 21^st 2014. Leader: Misda Liani, MI Al-Aman Banjarmasin
7. February 27^th 2014. Leader: Juanda, TK Alam Banjarmasin
8. March 9^th 2014. Leader: Miftahul Feivarati, Muhammadiyah Putera Orphanage Banjarmasin
9. March 14^th 2014. Leader: Annis Luthfia Setiarini, Siti Armah Orphanage Banjarmasin
10. March 28^th 2014. Leader: Dwi Handika K, MI Al-Aman Banjarmasin
11. April 5^th 2014. Leader: Yuniar Rahmadini, SD Al-Munawwarah Banjarmasin
12. April 20^th 2014. Leader: Rizky Amelia. Car Free Day Area around Sabilal Muhtadin BJM
13. June, 2015. Fun Play with Poetry. Leader: Rizky Amelia. American Language Training Course in Banjarmasin.
14. February, 2016. English corner. Leader: Rizky Amelia. Open Space Unlam.
15. November , 2015 – March, 2016. VDMS Peduli Pendidikan. Leader: Adhi Surya. Siti Armah Orphanage Banjarmasin.
16. April, 2016. Online Sharing. (Further activity)