Refuge offers different approach to education<\/p>\n
Fabio Scarpello, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Thinking of theater and of a \"supportive environment\" as the main
\ntools to educate children is quite a departure from conventional
\neducation methods, and quite a task for the teachers who decide
\nto follow such a visionary approach.<\/p>\n
And if the children are slum dwellers, orphans and street
\nchildren, the task becomes an epic one.<\/p>\n
With this in mind, Ivone Terik's pride in declaring, \"10 of
\nour children have been accepted as assistant teachers in
\nconventional schools\" is justified. Ivone is responsible for data
\nand sponsorship at Sanggar Anak Akar, a refuge for street
\nchildren and a center for alternative education.<\/p>\n
Sanggar teaching priorities and methods mean that it cannot
\nissue conventional certificates or diplomas, but as Ivone is
\nquick to add, \"the fact that our students are now teaching
\nvalidates our vision.\"<\/p>\n
The Sanggar concept was developed in 1994, following the
\nexperience of volunteers who had previously organized study
\ngroups in Jakarta's slums. The same volunteers are still at the
\ncore of the organization.<\/p>\n
During the first six years, Sanggar operated as part of the
\nJakarta Social Institute, but in 2000 it went its own way by
\nbecoming an independent organization, solely devoted to
\naccommodating the needs of children. These are the children that
\nan overstretched government does not have the time, means or will
\nto help. They have no educational background and are often
\nburdened with a backlog of unresolved psychological traumas.<\/p>\n
Sanggar's home base in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta, was
\nbuilt in 1999 by Ibe Karyanto, the center rector and founder,
\nwith the help of 70 children. The center is at present a
\npermanent home for 50 children, and the main support for 350 more
\nresiding in Jakarta's slum areas. These are only some of the over
\n500 children who have been connected with Sanggar since it
\nstarted.<\/p>\n
In Sanggar, Ibe puts his philosophy degree to use, and
\nhighlights values and priorities that are often neglected in a
\nmainstream education.<\/p>\n
\"We instill in our children the value of social solidarity and
\nthe value of caring for one another. We are trying to develop a
\nmodel of education that respects children and their needs.\"<\/p>\n
Those worried that Sanggar Anak Akar provides an airy-fairy
\neducation need not be. The center's focus on art does not exclude
\nbasic skills that are taught to children from an elementary
\nschool age, both in the center and in various areas of Jakarta.
\nArt, and theater in particular, is used to develop children's
\ncreativity. As Ibe spells out in the center's objectives, \"we aim
\nto develop children into solid human beings, with free will and
\nthe ability to think critically and creatively, act independently
\nand enjoy a solidarity with the environment.\"<\/p>\n
\"Sanggar is one of a kind,\" Ibe added. \"What makes us unique
\nis not the alternative education, which is also provided by other
\norganizations, but the community spirit that we have built. This
\nis the backbone of our project. We believe in solidarity among
\nourselves and with the world out there.<\/p>\n
\"We want our children to stretch out and reach to other
\nchildren and other people.\"<\/p>\n
This is what in the center is defined as \"networking\", and is
\nachieved by the children launching public campaigns, or
\norganizing cultural events. The center is also designed to
\nwelcome individuals and for groups of the community to get
\ninvolved.<\/p>\n
Sanggar can already count on a group of \"Friends of Akar.\"
\nThese are a mixture of artist-lecturers and members of the
\ncommunity, who share the workload and a concern for Jakarta's
\nmarginalized children with the volunteers.<\/p>\n
Among them is Dolorosa Sinaga, the main contemporary sculptor,
\nwho for the past three years has been putting work, time and
\nenthusiasm into teaching Sanggar's children.<\/p>\n
Recently, Yanto, 17, one of Dolorosa's most promising students
\nat Sanggar, sold two of his own art pieces in a fund-raising
\nevent for the refuge.<\/p>\n
\"That was a proud moment for everybody,\" Dolorosa said. Yanto
\nhas since then made the grade, and moved to Dolorosa's
\nprofessional workshop as a full time apprentice.<\/p>\n
Fund raising and donations are Sanggar's lifeblood.<\/p>\n
\"We are independent from the government,\" Debby Maitimu,
\nSanggar's finance manager, says. \"To pursue central funding
\nwould mean to follow the national curriculum and we would rather
\nnot do that.\"<\/p>\n
Sanggar's fund-raising, self-sustainable economic activities
\nand donations have to this date been enough, but it is always a
\nstruggle.<\/p>\n
\"We need about Rp 35 million a month. Children make
\nhandicrafts, print T-shirts, put on theater performances and
\nthrough that bring in some money, but we need more support from
\nthe public,\" Debby said.<\/p>\n
\"People have to realize that -- as Sanggar's motto states --
\n\"children are the owners of the future and education cannot be
\npostponed.\"<\/p>\n
Sanggar Anak Akar<\/p>\n
Tel\/Fax 021 9193050-021 8574923<\/p>\n
sangarakar@yahoo.com<\/p>\n
For donations: Account 2731208630, a\/n Debby Maitimu<\/p>\n
BCA Cabang Dewi Sartika.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/refuge-offers-different-approach-to-education-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }