Since I was a kid, home was my playground, and the garbage in the house was my treasure. Not because there were no toys, but it was where my imagination met the piles of "waste" ready to be transformed into something new. With hands full of glue and paint, I spent hours creating my own little world. As a teenager, my love for recycling was no longer just a childhood hobby. Slowly, I began to realize that what I was doing was a very meaningful small step. My little heart often breaks seeing how the earth is increasingly burdened by untreated waste. It was this concern that later fostered a great desire to learn how nature works and find new ways to contribute to maintaining its fragile balance.

After finishing my second semester at the Biology UI, fate seemed to lead me to a post about the opening of Volunteer Panda Mobile Batch 4. This opportunity seemed like a perfect fit, as I love interacting with children and enjoy being part of other people's learning process. After applying and passing the interview stage, I anxiously awaited the announcement email. Finally, I was overjoyed when my name was posted as one of the successful applicants! Naturally, I was eagerly awaiting the training sessions designed to equip the volunteers.

The first day of training started with a gymnastics session led by Mbak Dwi and an introduction to WWF Indonesia Foundation by Mbak Sulis. Then the first session was immediately special because we met Uncle Gerry, a storyteller who discussed public speaking. With his cheerful demeanor, he delivered the "secret recipe" for successful public speaking so that the message can stick with every audience. In fact, during this session, I participated in a storytelling session and played the role of a rhino that had lost its mother.

The next session was no less exciting, discussing how to be a fun facilitator with Ms. Wiwik. We started by dissecting common misconceptions about the role of a facilitator, and then delved into the tasks and attitudes that we should have. Next, we worked in groups and did case studies. This session also invited us to try to get to know the characteristics of children, from how they learn, their basic needs, to their developmental environment.

The session continued with Kak Agatha, where we delved into the world of educational content creation. We were taught the dos and don'ts of designing and creating content. Not only that, this session also emphasized the importance of maintaining one's privacy in taking pictures and videos during activities. The first day of training was then concluded with a group photo.

The next day, we were invited to learn more about Panda Mobile and Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) with Mbak Dwi. We also had the opportunity to see the six-wheeled car that will be used, complete with a simulation of the activities that will be carried out in it. In addition, we were also invited to try various conservation education games. We were also challenged to play the role of a volunteer in charge of explaining the games.

On this second day, we also discussed the Art of Waste. Meeting with Ms. Shella, who invited us to recycle patchwork, seemed to take me back to my childhood. The sensation of assembling pieces of fabric, choosing colors, and shaping them into something new was exactly what I used to do. I started braiding the fabrics, envisioning them to become beautiful bandanas and unique keychains. In this moment, I whispered to myself, thanking my past self, for the small steps I had taken had now found a big mission to accomplish.

Looking back on this journey, I am more convinced than ever that the small steps we take today are the seeds of the big mission we will find tomorrow. What was once a simple hobby has now transformed into an awareness to contribute to the preservation of nature. This proves that every effort, no matter how small, has the potential to lead us to a bigger and more meaningful goal.

My journey with WWF-Indonesia and Panda Mobile does not stop at being the best trainee. I want to keep growing, both for myself and for others. I hope to be fully present, not just to convey the importance of protecting the environment. More than that, I want to make sure that awareness grows and takes root in everyone's heart.