Exclusive Interview: Sharing Experiences Between German and Indonesian Scouts

On Friday (10/21/2023) as part of the JOTA-JOTI event, we had the opportunity to talk with Kak Maike and Kak Rangga, experienced scouts who have dedicated themselves to the scouting movement for decades (10/21/2023). We gained valuable insights into the experiences and values they have acquired through their involvement in scouting.

Maike Lorenz, often referred to as Kak Maike, is an Environment Counselor at the German Embassy in Indonesia. However, she is also a scout from Germany (Ring deutscher Pfadfinderverbände). Meanwhile, Kak Rangga is a member of the Management of ATAS Indonesia as a Public Relations and Media Staff.

At the beginning of the interview, Kak Maike revealed that her love for scouting began when She was 21 years old. At that time, a social service activity was held, attended by many members of Pfadfinderverbände.

It was then that she became interested in scouting and decided to join the organization. Kak Maike also shared how scouting helped her develop basic skills such as outdoor exploration, camping, and first aid.

Currently, Kak Maike is assigned in Indonesia, but that does not deter her from continuing her scouting activities. She joined the Praja Muda Karana organization and became a part of Saka Kalpataru. She also shared her experiences during her two months in Indonesia.

Kak Maike mentioned that there are significant differences between scouting in Indonesia and scouting in Germany. She explained that scouting in Germany is divided into various organizations and is more of a hobby-like nature. In contrast, Indonesian Scouts have a centralized organization.

Kak Rangga also shared his experiences as a member of the Management of ATAS Indonesia as a Public Relations and Media Staff. He emphasized the importance of confidence and courage when aiming for international opportunities.

“Just be confident! Don’t be afraid of your English skills because we are all learning,” he said.

During the interview, Kak Maike also spoke in Indonesian. Although not yet fluent, she managed to answer all the questions without using English or German.

“I was quite surprised to see how fluent Kak Maike is in Indonesian. When she first arrived, she had some difficulties,” Kak Rangga said.

The interview with Kak Maike and Kak Rangga illustrates the dedication and strong spirit within the scouting movement. They are inspiring examples for young scouts and those who wish to get involved in this movement. Scouting remains a powerful vehicle for character development and community service.