Ni Kd. AYU Swandewi
When Ayu came to me in 2008 she was in the second grade, but could hardly read or write and was a sad and serious child. Everytime we were colouring pictures she painted everything in black. I started to work with her on a regular basis, she came to me practically every day. She was strong-willed and each week her eagerness to learn grew stronger. She made good progress, but also needed a lot of attention, support and patience. When she advanced to the 4th grade, she had discovered her passion for reading. Her favourite story was “Little Red Riding Hood”. Her maths skills exceeded those of her classmates. At present, in 8th grade middle school, she has grown into a happy and
confident girl. Her marks are excellent and she wants to be a teacher. She also attends maths, English and Computer lessons and helps the younger ones with their homework.
Ayu has an older brother and a little sister. Most likely her brother will get to attend the higher school and get an education – no such plans for Ayu, because she is a girl.
Ni Putu Eva Septiani
Putu was born prematurely and was quite weak and sickly in her first few years, causing a lot of concern for her parents. Regular excercise (such as swimming) and better nutrition have helped her develop stronger health and catch up to her classmates’ level of development. When her little brother was born she had to stay at home and look after her baby brother for several months. So she missed out coming to my sessions. She was bored at home, as there are no toys, no games and no books – and she cried a lot. Since returning to our afternoon session a few times a week she continues to make progress. She is interested in a variety of things, including balinese dancing, swimming (and clowning around in the pool), building fantasy castles with lego, reading, and she has advanced to being the second highest achiever in her class. Both her parents are working, but their income hardly covers the essential. Saving for an education is unthinkable.
She is in the 8th grade at middle school now and attends English, Computer and maths classes. She also volunteers in helping the younger ones with their homework.
Ni Komang Yuliantari
Komang is the youngest of three siblings. Her mother never went to school. Her elder sisters are already married and lead a life typical for the village: they work hard in the ricefields, prepare the many offerings for the Gods, clean the pigstalls and carry stones on construction sites for a little extra money. There is no money for them for advanced school education, and there will not be any for Komang. Her family couldn’t even afford to pay the relatively low school fee for SMP (Middle School) and actually SMA/SMK (High School). So far we covered the costs for SMP, SMA and provided her with a decent writing desk, chair and lamp for her studies, as she was sitting on her mattress in the half dark doing her homework.
Komang wants to become a doctor. She says: “I want to help many people”. Of course she doesn’t have the slightest idea what that is going to cost. I feel a bit guilty because I planted in her the seed of the importance of a better education which she absorbs like a sponge and very soon I have to tell her: Sorry, I can’t help you anymore, because I don’t have the means.
We sincerely hope that we can raise the means to finance her studies.