European students give back with big hearts for RI schools

ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Sidoarjo | Sat, 12/13/2008 11:14 AM | East Java

Maidina Salsa Billa's hand, holding a crayon, stopped moving the moment Anton Mikolasch came into her classroom at a state-run elementary school in Wonokalang, Wonoayu, Sidoarjo regency. Her eyes watched the Austrian student cross the room; he stopped right in front of her.

They looked at each other, Anton flashed a broad smile and Billa, aged eight, responded with a frank smile, before hunching over to resume drawing.

"The drawing books and crayons are part of our gift, we want the students to express themselves freely," Anton, a member of the aid group "Education for Indonesia", told The Jakarta Post.

As part of their goal to better education in the country, seven European students spent two days helping teachers and locals restore the school building, which was in poor condition.

This was the second mission organized by Education for Indonesia, a non-profit organization set up by alumni of the Indonesia-Europe Student Exchange Program in Bali -- the first took place in 2006.

Before Sidoarjo, the European students conducted similar activities in Bali. "We don't want to interfere in Indonesia's internal affairs on education, but this way we can give thanks to Indonesian society, which has allowed us to stay here and learn," said Anton.

Unlike other institutions, Education for Indonesia has no special funds to cover its activities and, therefore, the European students carefully selected the schools they wanted to visit and help. "Prior to conducting our activities, we survey the school we want to help and assess whether our visit can be effective or not."

The students brought educational materials worth Rp 10 million ($US950) and received a charming welcome from a total of 109 students and their teachers. "We do not see the assistance's value but we appreciate highly their goodwill," school principal Hadi Mulyo said.

He said the European students not only brought funds but took the initiative to help repair leaks in the school's roof along with teaching staff and local people. Their cooperation means classrooms will no longer leak when it rains.

Hadi said the financial assistance was used to repair the teachers' rooms by employing local workers.

Anton and his group were apparently proud of their work and contribution to the elementary school. "We want students to feel secure in their classes to allow them to study well," he said. The young students seemed happy with the European students and their interactions became more lively during games played on the second day.

Billa was one of the students who was made happy by the visit of foreign students, she was lucky enough to receive a drawing book and crayons from them. "I feel happy to get a gift from the bule," she said, using the colloquial term for foreigner.