Sekolah Kami
As we approached the school to volunteer our time, girls swept with brooms and advanced boys put away. They are used to collect garbage; many are children Pemulung (scavengers). But their actions are more than that. This is Sekolah Kami, or our school in Indonesia, and the children have a sense of pride in their school than other students might take for granted.
Sekolah Kami is located in Bekasi and serves Bintara families and surrounding areas. There are gardens, and the school is equipped, a gathering place for shelter, a playground, and of course many outdoor classrooms. They are functional and noisy, but dry.
A wall surrounds the school, creating an oasis, just beyond the gates, there is extreme poverty. Ramshackle sheds serve as homes for many of these children. Down the dusty road, came four girls dressed in bright football jerseys. They are looking forward to school when they pass through the door
More than 0 students attend. first year in high school. Children like Sekolah Kami but also work alongside their parents after school and on weekends. They help their parents pick in the discharge side of their house and sort the rubbish to sell to a middleman.
Stephanie Stallings and I help class four and five today. Young people are friendly and curious practice their greetings in English. "Hi how are you? I'm fine. Where are you from?" Their average age is 10 years. Some are quick in their courses and some are slow. Some can not sit still and some know all the answers. They are like children everywhere, busy, busy, busy. Busy singing mouths busy hands gripping a pencil, mind busy learning English and heart busy helping each other.
Stallings teaches children English words for parts of the body and class elements. They curl up on spreadsheets and check their work before singing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes". This shake their sillies out. Later, the students craft sentences with new words, using prepositions like "in", "above" and "behind". There is a bingo game to practice what they learned, and a cry of "Bingo!" Their is some candy.
Children playing
There are lots of smiles and cries that the children run outside to play. The boys have a ball, and that's all they need, and the girls did a jump rope knotted rubber bands. They dance back, flying over the elastic rope in practiced steps.
Sekolah Kami was founded by Irina Amongpradja in 09 to its current location. Ibu Irina originally started in 01 a school for children of transmigrants, but because of property issues, she took his education in the streets before setting the dedicated website for Sekolah Kami.
Ibu Irina graduated from medical school in 1984 and worked in East Timor before marrying her husband. They started a family and a life in Jakarta. She worked for the government hospitals and a university, but wanted something more. With grown children and parties, Ibu Irina looked for a new way to reach out to people. "Sekolah Kami is an attempt to break the cycle of a life spent collecting empty plastic cups in the street," she said. Education is not only to learn, but recognizing that it may be more to life. "Sekolah Kami can be their springboard. It provides each student a childhood childhood they deserve. "Tears start rolling down the cheeks of Ibu Irina as she talks." These children have become like mine, it is simple matter of the heart for me to give you a chance for a better future for them. " Although students can not continue their education, it is pleased to have provided the good memories of friendships in a beautiful safe place.
Amy Shaw visited Sekolah Kami there 18 months ago and quickly became a consistent help. She has no work experience, but that did not stop him to volunteer to teach English to students each week. Shaw is also a dynamo as far as fundraising. A recent event recorded Rp.80 million, enough to build a classroom, repair an existing roof structure and finance a food program. Students usually no breakfast at home, and before they had only a glass of milk for breakfast. Now, children can receive rice, meat and vegetables on a typical day. But there is an ongoing need. Shaw loves the students and said, "They learn functional skills such as sewing, paper and soap making from recycled products in the trash, as well as subjects such as Bahasa, English, mathematics, music and even French courses for older children by a French volunteer lady. "
Students Sekolah Kami
Ibu Irina suggests to come to Sekolah Kami and meet the children." Give them some love, "says -she smiled. "Mingle, sing with them, offer their time and comfort. Do what you can follow your heart."
When asked why she give up her career to run Sekolah Kami, creating this oasis for poor children, Ibu Irina said, "something more than me is charging. "
Visit the website for more information: www.sekolahkami.web.id
Ibu contact Irina: sekolah.kami@yahoo.com
0 Komentar