The Amazing Midwest Race event was held virtually due to the pandemic on Saturday (March 6) not only as a fundraising event, but also for Indonesian students across the Midwest and across the US to gather online, along with those in Germany and France who also participated in the event.
"The spirit of the event is connection and communication. The spirit for giving back to Indonesia," said Head of PERMIAS Chicago Phoebe Liandyartha cited in the statement from the Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago, Sunday.
"COVID-19 hit everyone with no exception, we would like to help ease the burden of those who are in need, as much as we can." Liandyartha said.
The event took after a similar concept of 'The Amazing Race' competition on television, adapted to virtual meeting rooms. Each of the 25 teams participating moved from one virtual meeting rooms to another to complete a set of challenges.
The challenges all had correlations to Indonesia, making the competition unique, from trivia on the name of places, singing cultural songs, to emulating traditional dance moves. Through this competition, the students also raised a donation of 600 US dollars which will be distributed to the NGO Project Child Indonesia to support their two projects, namely the Beach School and River School, which aims to provide educational assistance to children in need in riverside and coastal areas in Indonesia.
The Consul for Information and Socio-Culture from the Consulate General of Indonesia in Chicago, Benny Kurnia Rahman, said that the unique ways and creativity of the students should be appreciated. Online meetings, which are usually held for meetings and seminars, this time were conjured up by students for fun and educational activities.
By taking the Indonesian theme, the participants could get to know their country more deeply and have a feel of home. Additionally, there is also a moral message to maintain and develop a sense of empathy and care for others, an important asset in developing the character of the nation's future generation.
The momentum of the activity at the beginning of the year is also fitting for maintaining friendship and re-cultivating the togetherness of Indonesian students located throughout the Midwest region.
"As fellow national ambassadors, we have a similar mission, namely introducing Indonesia to the US society, as well as building networks, good relations and bonds between Indonesia and the US," he said.
PERMIAS has been an important partner of the Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago and other Indonesian representatives wherever they are. He emphasized that this togetherness is very important in the future collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago.
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Translator: Yashinta DP/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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