Refuge offers different approach to education

Refuge offers different approach to education

Fabio Scarpello, Contributor, Jakarta

Thinking of theater and of a "supportive environment" as the main
tools to educate children is quite a departure from conventional
education methods, and quite a task for the teachers who decide
to follow such a visionary approach.

And if the children are slum dwellers, orphans and street
children, the task becomes an epic one.

With this in mind, Ivone Terik's pride in declaring, "10 of
our children have been accepted as assistant teachers in
conventional schools" is justified. Ivone is responsible for data
and sponsorship at Sanggar Anak Akar, a refuge for street
children and a center for alternative education.

Sanggar teaching priorities and methods mean that it cannot
issue conventional certificates or diplomas, but as Ivone is
quick to add, "the fact that our students are now teaching
validates our vision."

The Sanggar concept was developed in 1994, following the
experience of volunteers who had previously organized study
groups in Jakarta's slums. The same volunteers are still at the
core of the organization.

During the first six years, Sanggar operated as part of the
Jakarta Social Institute, but in 2000 it went its own way by
becoming an independent organization, solely devoted to
accommodating the needs of children. These are the children that
an overstretched government does not have the time, means or will
to help. They have no educational background and are often
burdened with a backlog of unresolved psychological traumas.

Sanggar's home base in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta, was
built in 1999 by Ibe Karyanto, the center rector and founder,
with the help of 70 children. The center is at present a
permanent home for 50 children, and the main support for 350 more
residing in Jakarta's slum areas. These are only some of the over
500 children who have been connected with Sanggar since it
started.

In Sanggar, Ibe puts his philosophy degree to use, and
highlights values and priorities that are often neglected in a
mainstream education.

"We instill in our children the value of social solidarity and
the value of caring for one another. We are trying to develop a
model of education that respects children and their needs."

Those worried that Sanggar Anak Akar provides an airy-fairy
education need not be. The center's focus on art does not exclude
basic skills that are taught to children from an elementary
school age, both in the center and in various areas of Jakarta.
Art, and theater in particular, is used to develop children's
creativity. As Ibe spells out in the center's objectives, "we aim
to develop children into solid human beings, with free will and
the ability to think critically and creatively, act independently
and enjoy a solidarity with the environment."

"Sanggar is one of a kind," Ibe added. "What makes us unique
is not the alternative education, which is also provided by other
organizations, but the community spirit that we have built. This
is the backbone of our project. We believe in solidarity among
ourselves and with the world out there.

"We want our children to stretch out and reach to other
children and other people."

This is what in the center is defined as "networking", and is
achieved by the children launching public campaigns, or
organizing cultural events. The center is also designed to
welcome individuals and for groups of the community to get
involved.

Sanggar can already count on a group of "Friends of Akar."
These are a mixture of artist-lecturers and members of the
community, who share the workload and a concern for Jakarta's
marginalized children with the volunteers.

Among them is Dolorosa Sinaga, the main contemporary sculptor,
who for the past three years has been putting work, time and
enthusiasm into teaching Sanggar's children.

Recently, Yanto, 17, one of Dolorosa's most promising students
at Sanggar, sold two of his own art pieces in a fund-raising
event for the refuge.

"That was a proud moment for everybody," Dolorosa said. Yanto
has since then made the grade, and moved to Dolorosa's
professional workshop as a full time apprentice.

Fund raising and donations are Sanggar's lifeblood.

"We are independent from the government," Debby Maitimu,
Sanggar's finance manager, says. "To pursue central funding
would mean to follow the national curriculum and we would rather
not do that."

Sanggar's fund-raising, self-sustainable economic activities
and donations have to this date been enough, but it is always a
struggle.

"We need about Rp 35 million a month. Children make
handicrafts, print T-shirts, put on theater performances and
through that bring in some money, but we need more support from
the public," Debby said.

"People have to realize that -- as Sanggar's motto states --
"children are the owners of the future and education cannot be
postponed."

Sanggar Anak Akar

Tel/Fax 021 9193050-021 8574923

sangarakar@yahoo.com

For donations: Account 2731208630, a/n Debby Maitimu

BCA Cabang Dewi Sartika.