NextGen
PHILANTHROPISTS
During the NextGen Advanced Learning Journey in Bali, students spent a meaningful day volunteering at Seeds of Hope Orphanage, a home that has provided love, care, and opportunity for children who have lost their parents or come from difficult family circumstances.
From the moment they arrived, students were welcomed with warmth and open smiles from the children. What struck many of them immediately was the genuine joy and openness radiating from the young residents, despite the difficult circumstances they had endured. Some children eagerly reached out to hold their hands, others tugged playfully at their sleeves, and soon the courtyard was filled with laughter and curiosity. The children put on a lively performance of music and dance to welcome the NextGen students. Following their performances, NextGen students were invited to perform an additional song alongside the children.
For the NextGen students, this heartfelt reception was both humbling and uplifting, a reminder that the simplest gestures of connection can break down barriers of language, culture, and background. In those first moments, the orphanage no longer felt like a place of hardship, but a space of resilience, where love and community created an atmosphere of hope.
Throughout the day, NextGen participants joined the children in art, crafts, games, and storytelling, creating moments of laughter and discovery that bridged cultural and language differences. Some students sat in small groups painting side by side, exchanging colors and teaching one another new techniques; others knelt on the floor helping younger children assemble craft projects, their tables covered with paper, glue, and bright splashes of creativity. Outside, games filled the courtyard with energy, where running, cheering, and playful competition quickly erased any sense of unfamiliarity between the two groups. These shared moments revealed how, regardless of background, young people are connected by the same desire for belonging, growth, and opportunity.
The Seeds of Hope team shared with the students the challenges of sustaining a safe, nurturing environment and the importance of providing education and emotional support for children growing up without stable families. Students were deeply moved, realizing that as future leaders, they hold a responsibility to use their opportunities to uplift those whose voices are often unheard.
For the NextGen cohort, this day was more than just volunteering, rather it was a reminder of the transformative power of hope. The bonds formed and lessons learned will remain with them long after this journey, shaping the kind of leaders they aspire to become: leaders who understand that true impact begins with compassion, humility, and action.
