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Sumatra Earthquake Relief Programme
Renovation completed for first pre-school, and training for all community health workers (caders) in the district completed
FMCH (The Foundation for Mother & Child Health) with its local partner YBS (Yayasan Balita Sehat) are thrilled to announce the completion of the renovation of its first pre-school in District Ambacang Kuranji : PAUD Anggrek.
There were 60 children under the age of five (balita) attending this pre-school (PAUD) before the earthquake. The school also doubled up as a small community health centre (posyandu).
After consultation with local community members and officials it was decided to concentrate on renovating this particular PAUD as it provided a crucial hub for the whole community.
It soon became apparent that training was needed for all pre-school teachers and health workers in the surrounding area. The 7 local community volunteers who doubled up as pre-school teachers and health workers in PAUD Anggrek had received no recent up to date training in the teaching of young children, and this was echoed in all other PAUD's in the area. The only educational toys available for the children at this pre-school, were some balls.
Meetings were held with the Mayor, the local Dept. of Health, the Head of the local Health Centre (puskesmas) and other community leaders and a plan of action was drawn up. Between January and March 2010 the pre-school was to be completely renovated to allow all local children between the ages of 3 - 6 years attend school again; and training for all community health workers/pre-school teachers in the district, comprising 16 PAUD, was planned for March 2010.
Using donations from our donors in the UK, Azerbaijan and Indonesia FMCH provided all the building materials needed for the renovation and the labour needed to repair the school, was carried out for free by the community.
Donations also provided health education training and up to date pre-school education training for 30 community workers from 16 PAUD in the surrounding areas.
This programme will have an impact on the health and education of a minimum of 1000 mothers and children in the area. A huge undertaking.
A mention must be made of all the students from the University of Indonesia who were extremely proactive in helping with this project. As well as helping with communications, they fundraised amongst their fellow students and bought educational toys for the pre- school.
Thank you to everyone who helped us. Many British expatriates from around the world donated funds towards this programme, even though some of them had never visited Indonesia before and had no ties with the country.
It just goes to show what a small NGO can achieve with help from like minded people from all over the world.
Please have a look at the series of photographs on our Facebook Fan Page from the project.
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