2010 Project Updates
Imagine your previously fertile farm lands now covered with an inch of ash which has turned to a hard concrete-like substance. Or imagine your rice fields which were ripe and ready for harvest now flattened by hot ash. The parts of your crop which seemed to survive are covered with fungus and unable to be harvested. --No harvest means no resources to start again.
A team of five members of Family Care Indonesia left for the camp sites that had been set up Merapi volcano victims and evacuees early Monday morning November 1st. The team was mobilized just six days after the first eruption and had the privilege of basing out of a friend’s house near a refugee camp about nine kilometers from the top of mount Merapi.
In cooperation with the “Santo Antonius” clinic Family Care Indonesia volunteers conducted a social project this month in Anyer, Banten. Lower income families received free medical treatment, main food staples and FCI volunteers performed activities for children and adults.
During the month of September, Family Care Indonesia volunteers along with many friends organized a number of social programs for the needy as part of the Lebaran season. Our volunteer work was focused on helping widows in different areas in Jakarta through distributing donated goods.
Family Care Indonesia volunteers returned this month to Kulon Progo, Jogjararta. The main purpose for this trip was to deliver television sets for the 9 pilot (PAUD—Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini) groups that were established in the Kulon Progo area after the seminars.
This month four Family Care Indonesia volunteers visited Papua Province to initiate new projects in this region. With our initial focus on Jayapura and the surrounding area we held seminars, visited schools and orphanages, gave counseling, engaged in several meetings and conducted surveys for future ways to help.
Family Care Indonesia once more joined together with Saint Antonius Clinic for community social service in Kebon Nanas with a Puppet performance, games, magic, balloon art and more for over 40 children of local families.
This month, Family Care Indonesia volunteers in Jakarta were joined by Miss Indonesia 2009, Kerenina Halim, in their monthly visits to the Foundation for Kids with Cancer. We were happy to have Miss Halim join us and the children were very appreciative of the warm and kind attention she gave them.
-- Over 500 educational packs given out!
One of the main obstacles in today’s early childhood education is the lack of quality educational materials. In addition, there is a need for character-building material that helps teach moral values to children as well as communication skills.
This month Family Care Indonesia members, along with Hotel Kristal staff members, visited Cilincing, an urban slum area in north Jakarta where FCI has supported an on-going infant nutrition program for many years.
One of the common side-effects of natural disasters such as the earthquake in West Sumatra is fear and trauma. Usually the most seriously affected are the children, especially those who have lost members of their family, friends, or their homes. These unseen wounds often take the longest to heal.