Ibu Astrid! An energetic, healthy, talkative, friendly woman who was born in 1958, and comes from Germany.
About six years ago, in her 60th birthday party, instead of receiving gifts, she collected some money from friends who came to the party into a “piggy bank”. She wished she can use the money in her pension time to go to a warm country where she does not need to wear thick jacket, earmuffs, and a shawl, to a country like in Africa and experiencing new things. Approaching her pension time, she still did not make any decision where to go as the organizations in Africa she knows, declined her, and said they that did not need her at that time. One day, her old friend called her, and Astrid told her about the dream she wants to realize. Her friend who is a neighbour of Gesine Nitzschke the founder of YCM, told Astrid about YCM in Bogor, Indonesia, a vast warm country with many ethnicities and cultures. Astrid was so curious about YCM, she read the website and contacted Gesine.
When she read the website, she was a bit hesitate about herself, she thought “will she be fit in a place where the activities predominantly involving young people?”. Thus, she made her decision to give it a try. She contacted the people at YCM in Bogor and arranged everything to be able to come to Bogor, Indonesia.
She arrived in Indonesia June 11th, 2024, picked up by YCM’s team and she was impressed by the hospitality of the team. They just met but had so much fun the whole way from the airport in Jakarta to Bogor like the know each other for a long time already.
Already for more than 2 months she stays in Bogor, doing so much fun while exploring herself at YCM. She explores and learns so much while she also shares her knowledge. Get to know new people, cultures, experiencing new country, its intrigues and many more. She loves them, she loves everything she experiences. She loves the fun activities, the vibes, and great energy at YCM.
Ibu Astrid an over 66 years old woman, she decided to take her pension time and realizing her dream. Although she is not young anymore, she encourages others to work hard, dream big and never give up. For more than 2 months already she joins YCM.
She would love to come again next year if she is healthy or even every year to visit us. For her as YCM is also her family now. Overall, she is happy to join YCM and stay in Bogor. It is the best decision she ever made in her life!