October 16-18 
 Closing ceremonies with toilet project with Cipta Karya elementary school and  Percik Insani. A foundation that works with children with Autism, ADHD, and Downs Syndrome.
Both are located in Bandung.

The Cipta Karya Elementary School of 140 children and 9 teachers has not had an operating toilet since 2012. We learned about this project from the Risacota family, members of the church who live nearby. This school was created to provide a more convenient location for some of the poor and needy families in the area.

                              The school has many needs, desks, chairs, and bookshelves that need to be replaced or repaired. Below is the only bookshelf that we have seen. Very apparent of more shelves needed and newer books!

 

The  girls gathered together for their picture, they were very happy to have us take their picture!

Above, these ladies are the daughters of Raden Mangku Pertomu, the head of the organization that runs the school, the older lady in the green is his wife. We met with them in his home, he was not there for this meeting, he was resting. He is in his eighties, and they wanted him to rest that day.

Anas Risacota, a member of the Bandung Branch who really drove this project and got it to happen. She was very involved and did so much to see that things got done! She had attended this school as a young child and the older lady, Ibu Ai Rochaeti, is the principle of the school. Ibu Ai Rochaeti was Anas's schoolteacher.

The greatest need was a new toilet as there has not been a functioning toilet in the school since 2012. Pictured above was what existed of the current toilet. Completely unusable. The project design was for LDS charities to provide the materials and the school would pay for and provide the labor.

                                                             The laborers

The next few pictures capture the evolution of the project from start to finish as we stopped in and inspected it over several months.

                     The look from behind the toilet and the neighborhood along the backside

The work came along nicely, a lot of thanks to Anas and Edi, members who helped so much!

 

 

Members and missionaries from the Bandung Branch helped with the painting of the toilet area as well as the exterior of the school. 

 

 

The finished product  

                                     

The inscription on the wall at the side of the toilet reads: This toilet donation by Latter Day Saint Charities

 

 

                               Before and after view of the painted wall on the outside of the school. Helping with the building of a new toilet gave them some incentive to paint the wall. It gave it a brighter look.

On Saturday October 18th we participated in a handover ceremony. A way of recognizing the work that had been done and an opportunity to celebrate with the children, parents and teachers of having a new functioning toilet facility for them! They were very excited and had prepared a wonderful ceremony of singing and dancing. They were dressed in their finest and had decorated their classrooms.

The girls in their traditional clothes, notice the batik patterns of the clothing. They are very colorful and pretty. Below, in a Javanese headpiece is the music teacher. On the right, is Herrmawam, the assistant school admistrator, who conducted the ceremony.

The welcoming sign for the ceremony on the chalkboard.
This school doesn't have much, but they did a great job in showing their appreciation and put a lot of effort into this day.

We loved the faces and felt their excitement and passion as they performed for us the Indonesian National Anthem, 'Raya Indonesia.'
Pak Raden Mangku Pertomu, the head of the foundation that built and runs the school, gives a special speech for the day. He expressed deep thanks for what the church had done and asked the children to please take care of the toilet and keep it clean and neat. He encouraged them to show thanks for what was a great gift to the school. We were touched as we felt his gratitude as he spoke. He is in his eighties and is quite frail and needed help to move around, but he wanted to speak to us and the children and he did a nice job. We always can benefit from the wisdom of our elders.

 Principle Ai Rochaeti speaking, she too expressed thanks to LDSC for this wonderful act of kindness. Providing something that they had not had for a couple of years. The toilet will be a blessing to all for many years.

Below, Brother Edi, our driver, translator and the one who just does so much to help us with all of our work in the Bandung area. As a counselor in the Bandung Branch presidency he spoke representing the church about the purpose of humanitarian funds, where they come from, how they are used and why, and that this is done to help others with no expectation in return. 

Look at his happy face and great smile. We will miss him!

 

                                           The ceremonial transfer of the 'key' to the toilet.

                                                  Below, let the celebration begin!
Every child in the school had a part, either in singing or dancing and many did more than one. There was so much effort to make this special and it really was. How kind of them to do so much to show their thanks. Our hearts once again, were touched by these sweet people here in Indonesia.

                      Many different dances were performed by the girls.

The younger class (above), in their cute costumes, and the older girls (below) doing a traditional Javanese dance. They had practiced long and hard for this day. 

 

 

This is Zahra Amanda, she is 5 years old. She is doing a modern style dance for us in her beautiful red dress. Her father is the schools Administrator's assistant.

                     And now, for a different style, a modern dance put on by these cute kids!

                       As many as we could get into the picture gathering at the end of the ceremony. It was a great experience and something we hope that all who attended will remember.

 

 

                                              PERCIK INSANI SCHOOL

We found this school through another organization that we had worked with. They help children with severe Autism, Down Syndrome, and ADHD to learn different skills such as making crafts, cooking, music and also helping them to develop their motor and speaking skills. 

Here the volunteers are helping teach a student cooking skills. They are a bit different than other schools in that they teach more one on one. They want to keep the ratio of teachers to students small  to be more effective and helpful to the student.

Diane (above), is the organization director and is very involved in the school and teaching. Here she is showing the different art pictures the students have done. All the teachers are volunteers.

They had a lot of different things the students had made and the kids were so proud of their accomplishments.

Sewing pieces of material with batting and making dolls, with the patient guidance of the teacher.

The mats were a donation from LDSCharities, using them for physical therapy work.

 

 

Shopping for the materials that are being donated from LDS Charities.

                  Here we are purchasing several kitchen items used to teach cooking skills.

 Sister Lucherini enjoyed this a bit more than Elder Lucherini! 

Catherine, left, and Reni to the right, are parents and volunteer leaders of Percik Insani.

Unloading and checking the list of things purchased.

Checking out the different sounds of the drums before making a decision to buy one. They all sound good to us. It's a good thing we have Reni with us to listen to the sound of each drum. It is also a benefit to purchase the materials with them as it ensures that they get what they really need and  in these opportunities we have some wonderful discussions that build our friendships with them. They are special people devoted to helping children with special needs to grow and develop.

 

 

                                                              Oct 18, 2014
                                                      The ceremonial handover.

 Elders Peterson and Widido, Branch President Joko, with his family arriving on their motorcycle for the ceremony.

Diane welcomes everyone at the start of the ceremony explaining the purpose and goals of the school and telling the parents and others of the items that have been donated by the church. She expressed gratitude for the help the church had given them.

Below, Pres. Joko, sharing the purpose of why the church helps others. That humanitarian funds are donated from members of the church all over the world and are given to help those in need. Wherever the need may be, regardless of belief or religion.
                                                    His cute little girl helping him!

Presenting an art collage of Batik Fabrics, done by the students to Elder Lucherini and Pres. Joko.
It had the names of the students signed on the back. What a wonderful memory that will be!

                       The audience who attended the ceremony and those who performed.

Below, are pictures of different musical numbers performed by the students. They love music. As they performed, you could see and feel of their enthusiasm and passion.  Music is a great gift and touches and lifts spirits. What joy it is for these students.

 Paul (above) is playing the keyboard and singing his song.

      The drums were some of their favorite instruments, we could tell as they didn't want to stop!

This young man is singing a solo with the help of his father. He had the words memorized very well!

Singing and dancing to traditional Javanese music. Homemade costumes, another craft project!

                    Above, Kevin with the tambourine, he really enjoys the music and speaks english well.

                               Another purchase, the teachers are playing angklungs (above).
The students haven't mastered this instrument  yet. It is a pretty sounding instrument, each teacher is holding a 'different note'.

                                    Here Kevin is a cowboy, showing us his dancing moves.

 

                                The  music teachers joining in and helping Jefri play the drums

A group picture with the leaders, teachers, the missionaries and the kids including Jefri, Christopher, Vito, Ivan, Kiki, Gery, Kevin, Cindy and Vandes.

                       Displays of their artwork and other hand made crafts set up for us to see.

 

                           Our grandsons would be interested in this car made out of a water bottle.

It was a very full day. Two handover ceremonies in one day. The final accumulation of two wonderful humanitarian projects. Each very different but similar in their purpose of helping those in need. We hope that all who attended will remember the special feelings of seeing the joy in the eyes of the children and their appreciation, and how good it feels to serve and help others. All who are involved in this wonderful work are lifted. Those who receive and those who give. 
                                                           'God blesses us all!'