The first time I heard about WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile volunteer recruitment in mid-June 2019, I was very interested in joining the selection. Why is that? It started with my love for animals, especially cats. It led me to explore the various types of flora and fauna. Then, I thought about what contributions could be made to the protection of animals and plants. I continued to find out and explore the role that can be done until I finally learned about WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile. A truck that travels around to deliver conservation messages to everyone, from children to adults, in schools, parks, and public places.

For me, joining WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile as a volunteer was just right. Here, I met friends who share the same vision and mission. We can contribute to the environment starting from ourselves, one of which is by volunteering to deliver conservation messages to all circles, from children to the general public. Hopefully, the message that Panda Mobile brings will be conveyed and create an environmentally friendly and sustainable way of life.

After six months of being part of WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile, the connections and bonds that we - the volunteers - have continue to grow. With the same goal and desire for environmental preservation, we met in January 2020 to learn from WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile staff, one of which was to write an article about the situation in the place where we were learning at that time. In addition to the article, we also did a photo shoot that can help build the atmosphere when writing the article. Then, WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile staff told us that there will be a training called Training of Trainers (ToT). The NatureXYouth for Biodiversity, Our Food and Nation Pride Training of Trainers was held near Puncak, Sarongge Village, Pacet District, Cianjur Regency. The participants were members of Earth Hour, Marine Buddies, Scouts and boarding schools, as well as one Panda Mobile volunteer. One of these lucky volunteers was able to join the ToT on the condition of submitting a reason why we needed to receive the training. Considering that the start of classes had just begun, I was hesitant to join the ToT which was held for four days, including the day I had to go to class. However, my decision to try in the midst of doubts about one thing or another finally moved the hearts of WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile staff. Finally, I joined the ToT from February 7 to 11, 2020.

On Friday, February 7, 2020, I left for Bogor Station to meet with Kak Resti - one of WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile team - who was also a ToT participant in Sarongge Village. I had heard a lot about the ToT from other volunteers who had joined earlier. This made me even more impatient to be in the middle of the agenda.

That afternoon, I walked through the streets of Bogor with Resti in a happy mood despite the gray sky that surrounded us. "It's going to rain," I thought. I took out the umbrella that protected my bag and clothes, along with my jacket. I couldn't afford to get sick on the first day. Then, we headed to the pick-up point and met our fellow ToT participants from Earth Hour, Marine Buddies, and Scouts and boarding schools. Chris, as the committee in charge of transportation for this ToT, had prepared the vehicle that we would use to go to Sarongge Village.

The journey began, the car we were riding in was quiet because the people in it had never met and knew each other before. After arriving at Sarongge Village, we changed to a smaller vehicle because the access to the village was quite narrow. I saw tea gardens on the right and left, and some strawberry gardens that had yet to bear fruit. A light rain that made our clothes wet welcomed us to Saung Sarongge, a warm place. The building is made of logs arranged together to create a warm and pleasant gathering place, not only for us, but also for the local residents and previous visitors. We were greeted with the aroma of Sundanese food cooked by the women of Sarongge Village and began the program with introductions.

Saung Sarongge was spacious enough to accommodate our diverse group of ToT participants. "Welcome to Sarongge Village, friends. Previously, we didn't know, so we didn't love, let's get acquainted, each of you mention your name, origin, occupation, and ......," Mrs. Rini Andriani, a representative of the Education for Sustainable Developmen WWF-Indonesia team, gave a long enough pause to make us, the ToT participants, glance at each other, "and you mention deh, if you don't become a human today, what do you want to be? Let's start with you." The continuation of the sentence pause delivered by Wak Rini - Mrs. Rini Andriani's nickname - made me think fast. What would I be if I wasn't human? Each participant gave a unique answer and some created laughter, adding warmth to the adventure we were about to embark on for the next four days.

During the evening, we had the opportunity to live in the homes of Sarongge villagers. I spent the night with Resti and Dede from the Tasikmalaya Scouts in a house not far from Saung Sarongge. The dark night made me, Sis Resti, and Dede cautious on the way to our "temporary home". The rain that had just poured down on Sarongge Village made the roads a bit slippery and the air was quite cold. Arriving at the house where we would stay for the next four days, Teteh - as we called the owner - welcomed us by preparing some boiled snacks and water to drink. Then, Teteh took us to our room and introduced us to the rooms in the house. Afterwards, Teteh allowed us to rest immediately, because the real training would start tomorrow. I couldn't wait.

The cool morning with fresh air and clear skies made me believe that today would be very pleasant. We started the day with a breakfast of Sundanese specialties from the ladies of Sarongge Village. After a delicious breakfast and a full stomach, we gathered again at Saung Sarongge. The ToT participants started to bond with each other by having small conversations and exchanging information about what we do in our volunteer activities. The day started with a presentation on Biodiversity delivered by Ms. Sulis from WWF-Indonesia's Education for Sustainable Development. Ms. Sulis' presentation gave us the knowledge that Indonesia has a lot of biodiversity and is widely spread from Sabang to Merauke. This was followed by a presentation on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) delivered by Mas Pietra. Based on my intrinsic understanding, the environment that is the medium of human life has a connection with the creation of the goals in the SDG's. The two-way activity created a constructive discussion. I listened to many critical and constructive statements and questions, which added to my knowledge.

A busy day was followed by the arrival of Ms. Yayah, the Head of the Bogor Curriculum Section, who had an extraordinary experience. She instilled environmentally friendly behaviors in her students back when she was the school principal in 2006. Ibu Yayah, in my view, applies a very unique teaching pattern not only to children as her students, but also to fellow teachers in her workplace. Unique abbreviations are one of the ways Ibu Yayah conveys conservation messages to her students. "SAWA SAPO what do you think this stands for?" Mrs. Yayah asked us, I myself was not sure to answer. But Ibu Yayah's answer made me realize that she is very serious in this field. "One Student One Tree," Mrs. Yayah's answer was enough to make me remember the word until now. The way of learning is simple and easy to understand, that's how I caught the message from Mrs. Yayah.

The day was getting late. After lunch - again Sundanese food, with a diverse menu and different from before -, the activity continued with learning the practice of developing teaching methodologies from facilitators. The material this time is about how to communicate. Since we, as volunteers, are in charge of delivering conservation messages, the communication skills taught by the facilitators are very useful for effective activities. From the facilitator, we also learned a lot of fun games that can be applied. Although games are fun, they can also convey hidden messages. This method can often deliver conservation messages more easily for some groups. This was our last activity of the second day. Afterwards, it was getting dark, and our bodies needed rest to continue the next day's activities with vigor.

On the next day, we traveled around Saung Sarongge to visit the farm and continued the day with the next agenda. One of the highlights was a presentation by Mr. Tosca, an activist who has been assisting Sarongge Village. His story was the most interesting to me. He is trying to get agricultural land for Sarongge villagers, after the ban on activities inside Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park for farmers to collect forest products as they used to do before. Mr. Tosca worked to secure agricultural land for the villagers until he was granted a Social Forestry permit. After noon, we conducted a survey as part of the ToT activities to SD Negeri Pasir Sarongge. After returning, we prepared props and other tools that we will use for teaching activities for students at SD Negeri Pasir Sarongge, as one of the practices of the learning outcomes that we have done during the ToT. Not forgetting all day Sundanese food and light snacks that accompanied our activities.

Finally, it was time for our teaching practice. It was a sunny day, the blue sky was not covered by clouds, and a row of mountains accompanied us to do activities with the students of SD Negeri Pasir Sarongge. Light-hearted conservation messages were delivered in fun games. I felt happy to be able to meet children who have a fun willingness to learn. Many of the children told me about the small actions they take, which can help protect the environment. I learn a lot from every encounter with children in teaching activities like this. Little brothers and sisters who need to be protected because they are part of the future of the nation, as I see them. I am proud to be able to contribute to the students in this way. As the day drew to a close, some of the ToT participants and I had to call it a day. We all started to become more cohesive and get to know each other better. Although the meeting had to stop, we continue to communicate through social media.

Learning, knowledge, and meetings are one of the ways for me to develop myself, especially in the field of environmental conservation. These things shape me, how I will think and act in the future. This ToT experience made me love what I do with WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile as a volunteer even more. Aside from self-development, making new friends is a lot of fun. Are you part of the next Panda Mobile volunteers?