‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’ -Nelson Mandela
Education is an individual right as Nelson Mandela said, it can be the most powerful weapon to change the world. Therefore, through the Jembatan Pendidikan Programme, Yayasan Sahabat Pedalaman aims to provide proper education and access for students in a rural area of Lanta Village, Lambu District, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
The children’s enthusiasm to learn, especially students of Inpres 2 Lanta Elementary School have never receded. Driven by their eagerness and courage, everyday they have to cross a river that has a depth of 5-7 meters using a wooden bridge. Even though it is dangerous, the students keep crossing the river, because if they don’t cross the wooden bridge, they have to detour for 5 kilometers to get to school.
“In the past, students had to cross the river using tree trunks. Many are forced to turn around the road for 5 kilometers because they are afraid to cross it. And the water rises during the rainy season,” said Mr. Usman Baharudin, a teacher at Inpres 2 Lanta Elementary School.
Through the Empowering Youth Across ASEAN (EYAA) Cohort 4 in 2024, the suspension bridge made from iron and steel by Yayasan Sahabat Pedalaman has successfully stood sturdy in Lanta Village. Now, the access to schools has become easier and certainly safer for students and the people of Lanta Village.
Jembatan Pendidikan Programme is one of the 10 programmes selected in the EYAA event held by ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation. Inaugurated in 2018, the EYAA programme is an initiative that aims to increase youth volunteer activities to initiate change in their countries.
A total of 293 Youth Volunteers from 10 ASEAN countries have helped the success of 30 local community programmes that have concerns to make changes in their countries. As many as 60,562 beneficiaries have been helped by the presence of this programme.
“We believe that the youth of today are the future of tomorrow. Hence our focus is on sustainable programs that provide long-term community and economic benefits, which will contribute to the progress of communities where we operate, especially ASEAN,” said Nora A Manaf, Group Chief Human Capital Officer at Maybank Group regarding the EYAA in an article published on the ASEAN Foundation website.
The Jembatan Pendidikan Programme involves 10 volunteers from 9 countries in ASEAN. In addition to assisting the construction of the bridge, this programme also has educational activities, such as teaching students and teachers at Inpres 2 Lanta Elementary School about English, biodiversity, and ASEAN cultures.
Jembatan Pendidikan Programme in Lanta Village
Aside from being used by students for their way to and from school, the bridge in Lanta Village is the only access for vegetable farmers to get to the garden. Lanta Village is growing into a thriving agricultural community. Everyday, agricultural activities continue here. Farmers of chili, onions, and vegetables are working hard to produce the best crops.
“The bridge is essential for the people of Lanta Village, especially in Potu Hamlet. Besides being very useful for children, the bridge is also very much needed to facilitate farmer mobility,” stated Muhamad Tayeb, Lanta Village Head.
The two fundamental functions of the bridge moved Yayasan Sahabat Pedalaman to build a proper infrastructure for villagers. Wafiq Zuhair Muhammad said he was very grateful that the Jembatan Pendidikan Programme could be carried out with the assistance and support from Asean Foundation and Maybank Foundation. Furthermore, the rural community of Lanta Village also gained other benefits when meeting Youth Volunteers from various countries in ASEAN.
The participation of Youth Volunteers is a complement for the Jembatan Pendidikan Programme. In addition to receiving infrastructure in the form of a suspension bridge, students in Lanta Village also learn new knowledge from Youth Volunteers. In the same manner, the teachers can discuss effective learning strategies and methods for students, especially in a rural area.
The arrival of Youth Volunteers was warmly greeted by villagers. A joyful welcoming ceremony had been planned, starting with traditional dance, giving Sapu (traditional headwear for men) and traditional scarves for women, then closing by serving traditional food to Youth Volunteers.
“One word, it would be hospitable. The Youth Volunteers only expected a very simple ceremony for all of us to be welcomed by the community. But what we witnessed is more than what we expected. It felt like attending a festival and the whole community welcomed us. So, thank you to the people of Lanta Village,” said Derek John Ed Cadelina (22), a Youth Volunteer from the Philippines.
All the moments that Youth Volunteers spent with the villagers was an unforgettable experience. From the elderly to the children, everyone had a good time together. On the first day, 5th and 6th grade students at Inpres 2 Lanta Elementary School learned basic English. Mr. Usman said that students have started to learn English in class, but only with a simple method.
To enhance the learning method, Youth Volunteers use graphic flash cards to make it easier for students to memorize and understand new vocabularies. Accompanied by translators from Sumbawa University of Technology, the English classes went well. This session ended with a post-test to review and recall the vocabularies that the students had learned.
On the second day, students were introduced to biodiversity, starting from drawing living things, looking at microorganisms using a portable microscope (foldscope), making bio batteries and bio art from plants. The children were very enthusiastic when following the instruction from Youth Volunteers. They said the practical lessons were more interesting and exciting.
“We are very happy to be able to learn with volunteers. Learning to draw, look at bacteria and create bio art. We enjoy making bio art the most,” said the students, Husna and Humaira while showing their bio art fabric.
On the next day, students learned about cultural diversity in ASEAN. Youth Volunteers told their countries’ history and culture using various interesting media. Such as showing videos, illustrated presentations, postcards, games, art sessions, and giving gifts of goods or food brought from their respective countries.
“The class went really well, even though it was a challenge for me. Especially, because we have a language barrier, but the students also actively engage in the class. Which is really great to see them happy studying with us,” said Kochaporn Tohsa from Thailand.
According to Youth Volunteers, despite the language barrier, they are very happy to be able to teach students of Inpres 2 Lanta Elementary School. There were many things to help children learn English and get to know the environment better. Therefore, they provide basic English lessons for teachers and create teaching materials or modules.
In addition, they also painted a mural on the back wall of the school, located in front of the suspension bridge. This mural painting is a visual reminder to villagers to always maintain the bridge, so that it can last a long time and be useful for future generations.
When the last day arrived, the bridge was standing sturdy. The officiate ceremony of the bridge was attended by all village officials, Youth Volunteers, Yayasan Sahabat Pedalaman staff, as well as representatives from Asean Foundation and Maybank Foundation.
Aidiir Putera, Head of Maybank Heart and Youth, Maybank Foundation said, this is a good initiative from Yayasan Sahabat Pedalaman, it would help everyone in the village, especially more than 3000 villagers will be impacted and the students can use the bridge to go to school.
“I’m hoping for next year, we can always select a similar initiative like this programme to give more access to education, give more mobility, and give a more promising future for the villagers or community to achieve a better ASEAN for all of us,” he concluded.