Saung Wangsakerta: We Cant Go to School so We Make Our Own
Agustus 18, 2019
Two days ago, Wishnu got an invitation to be one of the speakers of Festival Film Bahari in Cirebon, West Java. It is an annual event since 2018 held as an appreciation platform for maritime tradition and culture. This event aims to raise people awareness of the coastal environment and to overspread knowledge about coastal culture and sea life through films.
This year the FFB has the theme of diversity, since they believe that coastal communities have great strength: pluralism. It has been developed through encounters in shipping, trade, political and cultural relations. It then shapes coastal communities to be more open with differences, including ethnicity, religion, race, and culture.
This year the FFB has the theme of diversity, since they believe that coastal communities have great strength: pluralism. It has been developed through encounters in shipping, trade, political and cultural relations. It then shapes coastal communities to be more open with differences, including ethnicity, religion, race, and culture.
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| taken at Desa Bondet, one of FFB venues |
FFB has several agenda, one of them was watching movies and had a discussion entitled ‘Sea Tales and World around us’ with Wishnu at Saung Wangsakerta, Kampung Karangdawa, Desa Setupatok, Kecamatan Mundu, Cirebon. I came along with him and never imagined that I would meet Ibu Farida Mahri, the one who 'built' Sekolah Alam Wangsakerta. Little did I know that she had decided to leave her job at international NGO for building a place for children who cannot continue their school due to financial issues.
Sekolah Alam Wangsakerta was initiated 2 years ago by Ibu Farida. In the first year, she rented a house in a village where the houses were next to each other. "We had a very great time, and you know, children are children. Sometimes they forget that they are super noisy haha," she laughed. At that time, some of the villagers felt disturbed by their noise and started to complain. Then last year, they found an empty space next to a cemetery which was believed to be 'spooky'. They built together Saung Wangsakerta there.
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| Saung Wangsakerta, the second home for Karangdawa children |
Having their own curriculum, they create their agenda everyday. Monday is reading time. Ibu Farida usually brings them short stories from kompas or other sources to discuss in the class. Sometimes they'll have articles or books about agriculture or animal husbandry, where on Tuesday and Wednesday are the practice time. They go to the field or the land around Saung to plant or 'make' something. Thursday is happy time, in which they can choose any activity they really like. It could be movie, theater, arts, or dance. Friday is the time to take care of garbage. Besides being given lessons not to litter, they also learned how to process organic waste into fertilizer.
Saturday and Sunday are actually their holiday, if they want. However, they'll keep coming to Saung to just see each other. They usually bring their 'plan' to be discussed with their friends. The children who are interested in selling things will bring their products, some others who like writing will bring the stories they want to post on their blog, etc.
Their spirit's amazed me. I almost cried when a 3-year-old boy approached me, without saying a word smiled bashfully. He should have a better future, I thought. Look at you, Lilis! Seeing things on the surface. Yeah, I shouldn't feel sorry for him or anyone there, cause they do have a better future. They are friends of nature. They've learned a lot of things from the nature, even probably understand the world better than us, who get a formal and perfect-like education system, cause this school is always encouraging children to discover and create.
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| Wangsakerta's library |
While waiting for the movies coming, I invited them to play some games. It was such a pleasure for me to see them laughing and having fun. I could see that they're engaged in any activities, especially physical activities. They're the great listeners and very respectful.
In his session, Wishnu showed the children some pictures of Indonesia where he has visited. There was a statement that I think is relatable and gave them optimistic gaze to pursue their dreams. He said, 'One of the best thing to do to make particular place known is a story written by someone born from that place. You see Andrea Hirata who writes Laskar Pelangi? Ahok, the great man born in Belitung? So, keep creating and writing.' I could see their eyes. The mesmerizing eyes full of hopes and achievements. We know that someday Saung Wangsakerta can produce many inspiring books and outstanding masterpieces.
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| Wishnu and his tales about Indonesia |
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| Till we meet again, Laskar Wangsakerta |
Notes: some of the pictures quality is not good sorry
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