Blessed are the children.

This project was done with the Jakarta 3rd ward (Ex-patriots) with grade school children from a leprosy colony. Because of the stigma of leprosy the parents and children are often shunned from society. Their school had no library. The school worked to refurbish the room and the members of the 3rd ward did the painting, and installed bookshelves.  Humanitarian funds purchased paint, the bookshelves, and the books. Once completed (Sept 28,2013) the ward members came back to read to the children with their families and after the kids saw their new library they were each given a bag with a pencil and notepad.  

 

 This is the head principle (Suningsih) next to me. The Jakarta 3rd ward Relief Society President and a couple of the teachers.

 

 Of course you would expect to see Mary in the middle of the children.

 

 The room that will be the library. Before the work was done.

 

 

The children in anticipation as they get ready to see their new library. You can't see it, but all the children would stop and take off their shoes (if they were wearing any) before entering the room.

 

Just like Christmas morning for these kids.  A room full of brand new books, with a nice new carpet to sit on as they read and learn. Wow! Lucky to be here to see and feel the joy of these kids. I (Mary) asked them if they would be sure to take special care of these books so that their younger siblings could also enjoy them later, they all gave an enthusiastic shout of YES!!!

 Exploring their new books. 

Members of the church reading and playing games with the children. 17  families from the ward traveled 1 1/2 hours each way to attend to this. We weren't sure who benefited the most the school or the families that gave the service? Isn't it always like that, the more you serve, the more you receive?

Getting their notepad, pencil and a pen, some of the boys were quite excited about the pen. they had to make sure that they were real I guess, because some were writing on their hands and showing their hands to their friends.