Week of April 14 
 Missionary Leadership council in the mountains, visiting a poor school of children who are  mentally impaired. Visiting children who just received their new wheelchairs.

There is nothing quite like a leadership conference in the mountains. Peaceful and beautiful. Hard to believe we are only 25 kilometers from a city of approximately 25 million.

           Terraced rice fields are common along the hills and mountains. Very little land is not used

We visited a school for mentally handicapped children called Krisna Mukti. Located in a suburb (Cipete area) of north Jakarta. A very poor school with few resources. 48 children ages 6-18 with 10 teachers. Parents from the area pay a small tuition based on income (some 20.00/month, some may only be $1.00) the children are taught general education (math, reading) and some skills like sewing, cooking, music. Ibu Trusti , the woman who primarily operates this school teaches the children how to dance once /week. This was their dance day. She says it helps them be happy. She also teaches the parents once a week on parenting skills for children with disabilities. The school was built by an international women's group in 1985. There are many needs, the roof is caving in, much of the basic equipment is old and worn. They will send us a proposal of their needs in priority. You can't help with everything and you can't help everyone. But like the story of the man on the beach throwing back into the ocean the starfish...you can do some things, and you can help some people!

                      Students and teachers. Ibu Chairani, the lady in the pink is the principal. Ibu Trusti, the lady on the back row, far left, has been a champion of helping the poor and needy for many years. We have enjoyed our many opportunities to work together with her, particularly with children with disabilities and their parents to help work towards self reliance.

The music room. Wall to wall maybe 6' x 6'

                                                                      Sewing room

                                                                 Playground

Ibu Chairani showing some of the table clothes and settings the children helped to sew and are available to sell. Of course we had to buy a few things!

                                 Mothers gathering out side the school to pick up their children.

The official placard in front of the school . Yayasan means society or foundation.

 

 

 

 Imron is 10 years old and has cerebral palsy and cannot walk. His mother is holding him up. He just received his new wheelchair and now can go with his father every morning and evening outside to see the sun rise and set. Today he was excited because he wanted to show us his school. His mother, Ebby told us the new chair, because of its special design was helping him to sit up better. Something he could not do before. We were touched by what a difference the gift of mobility will make in the lives of these people. No longer does he need to be carried everywhere, and gradually he can develop more and more independence. He also attends school for a few hours every day.

When he found out that he was going to get to go outside in his wheelchair, he just beamed. He was so very excited. We thought at first he was just a happy boy, but he was so happy to get into that chair!

 The smile says it all. To be 'up close and personal', and witness firsthand the difference this gift is making is truly wonderful to see. We wish that all who so generously give to help in this humanitarian effort could see where their money goes and the difference it makes. It is a privilege we are grateful for everyday. To be here and see for ourselves.

 A very small school for children with mobile disabilities, located just a few blocks from Imron's home. Once again, there is much that could be done to help. They were working on math problems. The boy on the left is Imron's brother. Both children are in wheelchairs.

 Two other young boys that we visited who just recently received wheelchairs. The young boy above decided he didn't want to show us his new wheelchair. He was pretty shy, and the boy below was sound asleep. His mother said he wasn't feeling well and we certainly didn't want to wake him up.

 

 Leaving the homes and some of the views on the way back to the car. We will go back to our 'air conditioned car and comforts of our apartment. Yet the people always smile. Much we can learn.

 

 

Another wonderful week!