Week of May 12 and 19th,

Kawah Putih (vocano), Visiting different schools to consider for help

Kawah Putih a volcanic crater about 2 1/2 hours drive from Bandung. We took a prep day with the missionaries to visit.

The aqua color of the water is from the sulfur. As we got closer in some spots the smell was pretty strong, and of course you didn't want to get in the water.

 

 

Below, this was by far the stinkiest place to stand. We all but held our breath during the picture!

          You can barely notice the steam coming up from the water, back by the mountains. At times it was hardly there, and then it would be heavier. Reminded us of the sulfur springs in Yellowstone.

This was some kind of cave we noticed on the side of the hill, peering inside it went straight down. It also emitted a strong sulfuric odor.

 

                                     Some of the spectacular views on the way to the crater
These houses were surrounded by strawberry patches and a few onion patches as well. Their strawberries are put in plastic bags of dirt above the ground, the whole field is planted this way. the Berries looked delicious. They won't sell them to you straight from the field. You have to go to the market. They don't have any scales or anything at the field to weigh them.

 

We have been considering a project working with a very poor school in one of the neighborhoods in Bandung. These next many pictures show the kids, their parents, teachers and the school

Some of the children wear sandals, many go barefoot, the one young girl is wearing just one flip-flop. Can you see her? She is enjoying recess!

This young man , who is a member of the Bandung branch, was really pleased with the gecko he had. Sister Lucherini wanted a picture, but had no desire to hold it when he offered.

Cipta Karya . The SD means elementary school, and Swasta means it is a private school (operated by a NGO (Non Government Organization))so it is limited in what funds it receives from the government.

This space in front of the school is their schoolyard. Where they play soccer mostly.

The desks and benches were in very poor condition. In fact we enquired how often the children fall because of a bad bench? It does happen, they answered. When you sit on them, they sway back and forth, very loose. There were a few chairs in the back, they were in bad condition as well.

                                                              The bookshelves

But as always the children are happy and were delighted by having visitors. They really like to practice their few English words with us. When we respond in English, we leave them giggling! We feel like the Piped Piper sometimes. They follow us around from room to room as we are checking out the schools condition.  They are happy and proud of their school. And make the most of what they have.

Can anyone guess what this room might be?

Our primary focus with this school, is this bathroom. It has not been functional since 2012. "Where do they go to the bathroom," we asked?  "They have to go back to their homes"

The street in front of the school.

 

140 children attend the school , 6 classes and 9 teachers

               Ibu (Mrs). Eti, in the yellow, has been teaching here for 24 years. Below is Sister Anas Risacota, a member of our church that lives in the area, and told us about her school, where she had gone, and where her son will go. This picture of her is with the school principle ,Ibu Ai, who was her principal when she attended.

This is another school we are looking at in Jakarta. Khrisna Murti is a SD (Elementary school )operated by an NGO with a focus on helping disadvantaged children from poorer families with mental disabilities. 56 children , ages 6-18 with severe autism, downs syndrome, seizures, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation.

Ibu Trusti is the owner of this NGO, we have worked with her now on several occasions. She is an associate of Dr Titi. She had been a well know dancer in Indonesia. She said for years she worked with children in orphanages, now she works with the disadvantaged children throughout Jakarta, helping the children and their mothers to develop skills (making jewlry, sewing, etc) so that they can become self reliant. She built this school with the help of donations. And now tries to keep it going.

Our focus is with the roof. The building was constructed in 1985 by a Women's International Group. Now the roof is beginning to collapse in many areas. When there are so many needs, you cannot do everything, so you prioritize where you can help, and in what way that would provide the most benefit.

Ibu Chairani is the principal, and one of her teachers, Rida Wardiaha. We are talking about the dimensions of the roof, and a proposal to repair it. Often times we will ask what the organization is willing to do? In this case we may provide the materials, but they will need to do the labor. Their plan is to consider having the teachers and the parents do the work. School will be out soon for about 6 weeks. They would like to have the work done in time for school to begin again in August.

Ibu Trusti has been teaching the children how to dance. "When they dance they are happy," she says. They were delighted to show us some of their dances.

There is so much joy in being with these children. What a gift to be with them, their teachers and parents. Everyday we get these opportunities we are grateful to our Heavenly Father for the blessing to be with them. He loves them, their parents, and the devoted men and women that work with and help them.

 

 

 

Yet another school. This is Tenah Merah, a poor Christian school located in the northern part of Jakarta. Many of these children would be out in the street were this school not available. It too is operated by an NGO. Some of the children come from orphanages, some have parents who work as a pemulang. People who sort through the garbage for materials that can be sorted, recycled and sold. They may often live in a one room, box house.

288 children. 30 teachers. This school is part of 11 schools located though out Jakarta and other areas of Indonesia.  There is a tuition fee of 30,000 rupiahs (approximately $2.50/month). 60% of the parents are able to pay something. Some of the children, like those who are orphans, there is no charge. The NGO continues to operate the schools primarily through outside donations. An ongoing and continuous process.

We originally became involved with this school in providing eye examinations and reading glasses for some of the students and the teachers.

 

While in the kindergarten class, they asked Elder Lucherini if he would offer a prayer? I did my best in Indonesian. These are special moments we hope we will never forget.

 The street outside of the school. The way the children and their parents come and go. Note that we are walking on the side of the road from rock to rock, to stay above the water.

 

                                               The current playground. The bridge in the picture below is without many of the cross boards for crossing the bridge.

This is part of the playground area. We are looking to help them in construction a modified soccer field and grass play area. Once while we were here some of the children were playing in this area. Some of the boards had nails protruding out exposing the children to all sorts of hazards.

 

 

 

 

This is what the area looks like today. We hope in a few months to see a much different outlook? If we move forward, humanitarian funds will be considered to purchase the needed materials, including  some new play ground equipment. We are hoping that members of the church in the local area will be able to assist in some of the labor, though the majority of the work will rest with the teachers and the parents. In this way they will feel greater ownership and will care for what is done.

They are expanding the school to include a middle school, so that these children can continue to the higher grades as they advance. Notice the school walls are open, there is no air conditioning, so they build this way. 

 

 

 Some of the chairs for the new class rooms. The principle said they were able to get these from someone that was going to throw them away. Here the teachers are sanding them down, so they can be restained and used again. Not only are the teachers paid a small salary, they also help with additional needs outside the classroom.

 

We are excited to work with them and hope that in the coming months we can support them in their efforts.