Our favorite school

Lius Widjaya and Prashina Samtani and Jyoti Nagrani and Bhavna Nathani, Jakarta

In keeping with Gandhi's tradition of charity, our school, Mahatma Gandhi School, decided to 'adopt' a school in the academic year 2004-2005.

Kartini School of Pluit came to mind. This is a special school that was founded by twin sisters Rossy and Ryan. A special school for children of poor garbage dump workers; its further development is their main objective.

Located under a bridge in Pluit, North Jakarta and surrounded by garbage of every imaginable sort, the school has around 45 students enrolled. Hats off to the twin sisters for their commendable efforts!.

During one of the daily assemblies, we were told of a project that was still in its early stages by our thoughtful principal Vimala Nandakumar. She suggested that all students donate generously. Donations could be anything, ranging from unused school uniforms, books, food to stationery, and not limited to just money. The Community and Social Service (CAS) Club was thus formed. She then moved on to describe the condition of the school.

We were told the school could not even afford electrical fans to cool the students while studying, never mind air-conditioners like the ones we have installed in our classrooms. Also, she described the school's dirty and unpleasant surroundings, and the lack of maintenance of the few classrooms they had.

The response was very good; the very next day most of the students brought things to donate as well as money. All donations were stored in charity boxes ready to be donated to the less fortunate students of Kartini School.

The next Saturday we went to Kartini School along with the principal. We were shocked by its woeful condition. The description of the school that we had been given proved to be dreadfully true.

The school's surroundings was reminiscent of a scene from of a true garbage dump. Puddles of unknown liquid (most probably oily mud we would presume) litter the trail leading up to the school's entrance. The whole place was just too desolate, the atmosphere too gloomy, and of course, nobody should forget about the foul stench emanating from the surrounding garbage.

We could not have believed that children actually studied here if some children clad in tattered primary school uniforms and dirty casual outfits accompanied by some teachers did not emerge from the school to greet us.

But what surprised us was the excitement reflected in the students' eyes; the children seemingly immune to the desolate surroundings, as if they could not care less.

Such was the hurried greeting that some of the students were still carrying either a book or a pencil in their hands. We thought they had rushed out of a class that was still in progress. What was still more heartening was seeing the "less than the less fortunate" children of the surrounding area craning their thin, starved necks to try and catch a "morsel" of what was going on inside the "class".

Their smiling faces and their tattered uniforms, along with the so-called school surrounded by a garbage dump as the background, combined to from a very forlorn yet artistic picture in my mind. One would have been forgiven for thinking that these victims of poverty could go to school in a much better place, but we should never hold our breath in expectation for a better situation if we take no action.

We then proceeded to teach them basic English words in one of the classrooms, such as words for parts of our faces, names of various colors, numbers from 1-20, etc.

We taught in a small classroom, but every child present in the school cramped in to listen. Yes, we mean all 45 or so students tried to get into the classroom whose ceilings could collapse at any moment.

Needless to say, some could not get in, so they watched us from outside and tried their best to follow what we were teaching. Next, we played games by asking questions related to what we had just taught them. Those who could answer correctly were presented gifts, either a snack bar or a pencil we brought from home.

The children learnt rapidly and most could answer very well; their ability to learn matched their eagerness to learn new things. A student from Aceh thrilled us with her smart behavior and diction. After the English lessons, it was time for story telling.

One of our friends who was with us, read them a kindergarten storybook. The students, though many and crowded, were very silent as they listened attentively and excitedly. (Something that I think rarely happens in the classes of schools that the more fortunate go to!).

At the end of the sessions we gave each of the students a small hand-made paper packet containing biscuits and a juice drink. The children smiled in gratitude, though most were shy and did not utter a single word of thanks; we could see from their illuminated faces that they were indeed grateful.

Sympathy and lightheartedness dominated my afterthoughts and feelings after we left the compound.

What a day it had been! It was a great pleasure for all of us to visit and share our knowledge with these children of a lesser God. Obviously, the most cherishing moment that we had ever come across. I would suggest to all of our friends back at school to visit the school and cure themselves of their spoiled nature and their 'take-everything-for-granted' attitude.

From then on we visit the Kartini School once every month along with the CAS club members, eager to feel the sensation we experienced when we left Kartini School during my first visit, the feeling that we presumed has the ability to relax tensions of the troubled mind.

We gained the same amount of benefit as they did; in our case, our reward was the feeling of helping some people in need, which can make us equally happy and give an immense sense of satisfaction.

The next Monday when school reopened, during the assembly, Vimala told all of the school that there would be charity bazaar in our school two weeks from then, on a Wednesday, and there would be some special guests present. Groups of students were organized and given tasks to open stalls which would host various games. The preparations were done accordingly and neatly.

When the special Wednesday came, when the sun had not yet passed its zenith, we went off to the Kartini School to pick up some of the students there and invite them to the charity bazaar. Prem Bhojwani, the administrator of Mahatma Gandhi School, was there too. He was to hand over the accumulated donations to both Rossy and Ryan. The money will be put to good use: for further development of the school and improving the study conditions there.

Once we dropped them off at the bazaar, they gave a performance on the stage we set up amidst the bazaar. To our surprise, they danced to famous Bollywood songs. Then they played the games at the stalls and the students in charge provided as many times as they wanted, without making them reach into their pockets to pay, gratis!

Eye-catching gifts were also won by those who managed to win. All of us were glad that the Kartini School students really had fun. You could tell by the way they laughed and cheered and ran around the bazaar experiencing virtually all the games first hand enthusiastically. One must not forget a very touching gesture that these children gave when they took leave of their hosts: each child took our hands and kissed them, gratitude in their eyes and humility in their attitude. It really tugged at our heart strings.

As always, all good things must come to an end, and the fun filled day was no exception. Mission accomplished, then! Before the Kartini students left, we gave them gift packets containing sweets and soft drinks; what a day for them! We collected quite a lot of money from non-Kartini School people who had to pay (well, somebody had to pay; why else would the bazaar be called a charity bazaar?) and put the money together with the donations collected a few weeks earlier to be given together to Mrs. Rossy and Mrs.Ryan at a later date.

With hope in their sights, it is not hard to foresee a brighter future for Kartini School and its crop of not more than 50 students. But it isn't time yet to rest on our laurels; for what has been done for these needy children is only a drop in the ocean. As Robert Frost says: ... I have miles to go before I sleep.