Youmna Hassanein, Innovation Intern
Nurturing Dreams: Sekolah Kampung Brings Schools to the Doorstep of Rural Villages
Rian Haka is a bright and curious 12-year-old boy with a fervent desire to learn and connect with others. Living in Juriya Village within the Gorontalo Regency in Indonesia, he faced limited opportunities to pursue his dreams due to the absence of nearby schools. Instead, he spent his days helping his parents in the garden and around the house longing for the chance to expand his knowledge and connect with children his age.
All of this changed when Terasmitra's Sekolah Kampung, which means 'Village Schools' in Indonesian, program started in Rian's village. Now, Rian is an active student, meeting friends and eagerly participating in learning sessions every week. His story is just one of 270 students touched by the Sekolah Kampung program.
Resilience and crowdfunding in the face of adversity
In the heart of Jakarta, Terasmitra thrives as a nonprofit that is fueled by a dedicated team of 13 members. The organization’s mission is to empower citizen and environmental resilience through creating avenues for social entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing. They delved into the Sekolah Kampung campaign initiated after the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy that took place in 2021 and their goal was clear: to master the art of developing and running a successful crowdfunding campaign.
The Terasmitra Team
Following the Academy, their goal was met with the immensely successful launch of the Sekolah Kampung campaign, which raised $53,500 in just a year.
The Sekolah Kampung network of schools
This significant amount made a transformative impact on the lives of 270 children by establishing 13 village schools in 8 provinces. These village schools are established to improve the literacy of rural communities, empowering them to effectively manage the potential resources in their surrounding environment to meet both personal and communal needs.
An example of a village school
Fitria Werdiningsih, the Communications Officer of Terasmitra described what inspired the Sekolah Kampung initiative as:
"We know that in Indonesia how we share knowledge from the previous generation to the next generation is not written down. Younger generations do not understand what their ancestors did and why their practices are more environmentally friendly." Through Sekolah Kampong, a channel that passes down traditional sustainable practices to the younger generation is created, preserving the invaluable wisdom of our ancestors for a more environmentally conscious future.
Narrating Stories to Change Lives
At the Academy, they discovered that storytelling held the key to unlocking hearts and wallets. Fitria, reflected on the profound impact, stating, 'Storytelling was the most important aspect. It taught us how to persuade and get empathy from our audience and convey which initiatives we want to run.'
Armed with this newfound skill, the team turned their attention to Indonesia's Small Grant Program. The ability to craft compelling proposals and narrate the story of their initiatives became a game-changer for them to secure funds from programs like the Small Grant Program. Fitria emphasized, 'How we write down proposals and tell the story of our initiatives helps us get the big fish.' This mastery of narrative transformed aspirations into reality, allowing them to reshape the educational landscape for the better through Sekolah Kampung.
A School for Each Community: Diverse Village Schools in a Diverse Indonesia
In the mosaic of Indonesia's diverse regions, Sekolah Kampung tailors its curriculum to the unique natural resources and specialties of each area. Fitria explained that before the launch of each school, a community meeting takes place to collaboratively design the curriculum. This ensures a curriculum that educates through honoring and integrating the local cultures and resources.
Students at art workshops
Terasmitra then directs its funds to support participants and assistants to bring the schools to life. The support encompasses vital resources such as library books, learning infrastructure facilities, and connections with experts and providing crucial mentoring during the implementation of the learning process. Collaborators, who volunteer as teachers for the village schools, play a vital role in giving life to the schools. Trained through online classes hosted by Terasmitra, they are acknowledged for their invaluable contributions.
Online meetings with the Sekolah Kampung collaborators
In this innovative approach, the curriculum isn't just a set of subjects; it's a living reflection of each community's identity, weaving together education and the rich natural treasures that surround them.
This commitment comes to life in the heart of Bali, where culture and tradition thrive. The Rumah Belajar Bukit Keker village school in Nusa Penida is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the region by weaving the vibrant arts and culture of Bali into the curriculum.
Introducing Sekolah Kampung Rumah Belajar Bukit Keker in Bali
Meanwhile, in the resource-abundant landscapes of Gorontalo, success blossoms through a different lens. Here, village schools focus on the power of natural resources, making farming a cornerstone of education. The Sekolah Kampung program in Gorontalo teaches farmers how to create natural fertilizers while local workshops led by nutritionists teach mothers how to prepare healthy meals using the bountiful local ingredients.
Sekolah Kampung Pelehu in Juriya, Gorontalo
While most of the activities hosted by the initiative center around children activities, these schools are meant to expand the knowledge of the whole community, “We set Sekolah Kampung as informal education for the people in the village, not only for the children but for the youth, mothers and everyone else” Fitria emphasized.
As Terasmitra expands its reach into the future, the Sekolah Kampung program stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to sustainable growth, cultural preservation, and the empowerment of communities in the face of evolving challenges.
Learn more about Terasmitra´s work and support them.