Indonesia Mengajar

Today, a friend of mine gave me a link, to a program called Indonesia Mengajar. This program, translated roughly as “Indonesia teaches” is a program, pioneered by Anies Baswedan, a president of the Paramadina University.

After reading about it, i was AWED to the max about his idea. actually its a simple idea, a brilliant idea. So his idea was to basically send Indonesia’s bright, young, talented top university graduates, for 1 year teach elementary schools in the most faaaaaaaaaaar away places of Indonesia. (like Fakfak, South Halmahera, Kalimantan etc) Where public facilities such as running water, electricity is limited at nights, and sometimes dont even exist. Why elementary schools? well, Mr. Anies said that 66% of indonesia’s elementary schools lacks teachers. Now you will think, why would fresh graduates, go to some freaky place in the middle of nowhere, far from civilization to teach village people? But believe it or not, the program was aiming to send 50 people but 1000 university graduates applied for this volunteer teacher. Some of them quit their job in big companies just to go and have this hellish experience.

Honestly, hearing about this program here in Japan, is satisfying. For me, it shows that young Indonesian people do care and will try to make a change for the development of Indonesia, particularly in education. the empathy for the the rest of our countrymen especially country children in the far corner of Indonesia is still blaring. And the will or id rather say, the feeling of responsibility, as educated people, to educate our own country children do persist. and more than 1 thousand young bright Indonesians is willing to give up 1 year of their lives, to teach the younger generation of Indonesians living in the most rural of the rural villages, who are less fortunate than their city counterparts.

But you know, I think i can understand these 1000 people who are eager to go into the unknown to teach what they know and actually contibute something good for the country. Even if their contribution is only for around 10-100 elementary school children. For these children its the education, hope, and inspiration they get that makes it priceless. You being there is a figure for them to believe they can be successful and change their fate even if they come from the poorest village in the farthest island. Education is the key, and educated people DOES care about them. BUT you, will be more inspired than them. it is one of a lifetime experience. It would open your eyes, of your own Indonesia. How equality in public facilities and education haven’t reach every village. You will get new experience in leadership, as a teacher, as a figure the village society will look up to help them in some of their village’s problem. (Duh, you are from the city, they expect highly of you). You will learn character, humbleness, politeness, from these people, people who need each other to survive, who haven’t been influenced from the egoistic nature of the city. Truly, the unknown is a place of journey, in hardship and problems you encounter, you have to solve them alone. you will be more and more proud of yourself, proving that yes, you can survive in the worst condition you encounter. its hard, but really everything in this world, whats there to complain about? This is an experience of a lifetime, to be able to get involved with the village culture, wisdom, and ways of doing things (remember, no technology). And you may ask, so what’s so important about these experiences? These are all the things that will affect you in life. In your job, your actions, your plans. your decisions. Your experience will take part in them.

When i graduated from SMA, through SNMPTN, I was accepted in one of the best medical school in Indonesia. But I gave this one up, to study Agriculture, in Japan. You may think this is silly, and weird. yeah sometimes i think so too. But then again, im the adventurer type of guy. the world is vast, and unknown needs to be uncovered experiences needs to be reaped. The road less traveled has always been attractive to me, coz thats where the challenge lay. In the same time, I realize the value of Identity, of Indonesia, my Indonesia. If it wasnt for us, educated Indonesian people who dont bring about fresh wind of change. Who do you expect will?

So, to Pak Anies Baswedan, I am extremely inspired by your program, a simple yet brilliant idea. provided the chance, I will go volunteer too!

Semoga programnya sukses dan terus berkembang pak

sources:

http://indonesiamengajar.org/

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