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Sharing colors and kindness

Hello everyone !! welcome to my article, in this article I will tell you about my experience of doing Saint Mary's Way activities in October 2025.

  Joining the Saint Mary Way program was one of the most memorable experiences I had as a ninth grader at SMP Santa Maria Bandung. When the teachers first explained the purpose of this activity, I was curious right away. The main goal of SMW is to learn from the values of Mother Mary through simple acts of service. I felt that this program would not only teach us theories, but also real-life lessons about caring for others. When I found out that I would take part in the visit to Cahaya Kasih Orphanage, I became even more excited because I really love being around children and I always wondered what life in an orphanage looks like.

  Before the day of our visit, my group, which consisted of fourteen students,

prepared everything together. We discussed what activities we would do there, such as games, drawing, and playing puzzles. We also prepared simple gifts to share with the children. Working on the preparation with my friends was very fun. We shared ideas, helped each other, and made sure everything was ready. Step by step, the plan became clearer, and I couldn’t wait for the day to come.

  Finally, Saturday, October 11th, 2025, arrived. That morning, I woke up feeling very excited and hopeful that everything would go well. Each of us went to the orphanage using our own transportation and gathered in front of the entrance. Even though I arrived a bit later than some of my friends, the moment I stepped into the orphanage area, all I felt was joy. The place looked simple but warm, and I could already hear cheerful laughter from inside. It felt like we were welcomed with happiness.

  When the event began, we were greeted by the children who lived there. They were still very young, but all of them looked adorable and full of energy.

Some of them approached us confidently with big smiles, while others watched from a distance at first. There were also a few who looked shy, but after a while, they started to join in. Even though they had different personalities, they created a lively and beautiful atmosphere that made me feel comfortable right away.

  My first activity with them was solving puzzles together. Even though some pieces were missing, they still giggled and tried their best. After that, we moved on to coloring

pictures. Some kids colored neatly inside the lines, while others made fun colorful scribbles. No matter how the result looked, their enthusiasm and smiles were what mattered most.

  One moment that touched my heart deeply was when a small child asked me to help him write letters. Even though he still found it quite difficult, he always smiled proudly every time he finished writing one letter correctly. Seeing how hard he tried made me realize that small achievements can bring great happiness.

  Time passed so quickly without us realizing it. It felt like we had just started, but the visit was already coming to an end. Before leaving, we took a moment to thank the orphanage staff and the children for welcoming us so warmly. When it was time to say goodbye, I honestly felt a bit emotional. I wished we could stay longer.

  As I sat in the car after the visit, I started thinking about everything that had happened. Through this experience, I learned many things. I learned that we should always be grateful for what we have because there are many people who face bigger challenges every day. I learned that service is not only about gifts or activities, but also about presence, kindness, and giving our time sincerely. I also learned that even small actions can make others happy.

  This Saint Mary Way experience taught me about love, care, and empathy. I went home with a warm heart and a new perspective. For me, SMW was not just a school program—it was a moment that helped me see life with more gratitude and a softer heart. It motivated me to continue spreading kindness to others, just like Mother Mary teaches us.