Dejavato Indonesia Newsletter (3)

Sidorejo International Work Camp: 08 – 19 August 2007

The Sirodejo International Work Camp was held from 08 – 19 August 2007 in Sidorejo Village, Kajoran District, Magelang Regency – Central Java. The type of this camp was Education – Health. There were 10 participants in this camp from various countries: YAP Italy (1), CB Belgium (1), AFS Netherlands (1), IWO Korea (4), and Indonesia (3).

Sidorejo Village is located about 15 kilometers on the west part of Magelang city, on the slope of Sumbing Mountain. The village is quite isolated and should pass the macadam (the road made from the stones) and surrounded by the rice fields. The volunteers stayed at one of the local family with traditional Javanese house, called “Joglo”.

The daily activities of the volunteers were teaching the classes at Sidorejo Elementary School which is located just behind of the homestay. There were 6 classes and the volunteers were divided into small group of teaching. Besides, the volunteers also did health activities like collecting and manage the garbage surround the school, cutting nails of the students, and cleaning the classes with students. The volunteers also made some wooden shoe-shelves and painted in beautiful colors. The shoe-shelves were put in front of each class, so the students should put off their shoes before entering the classes and keep the classes clean.

During the volunteers stay, they also did some environment activities like hiking and trekking, cultural exchange and performance with local people and students, visiting local interesting places close to the project site, and did rafting in the free time.

The date of the work camp was also matched with Indonesian Independence Day Celebration on 17th August, and the volunteers were also involved in local festival and carnivals, as well as joined the scouting activities with local schools. They also held some funny games competition for local students and did farewell party by presenting performance from each country.


Sokawera International Work Camp: 20 - 30 August 2007
The Sirodejo International Work Camp was held from 20 to 30 August 2007 in Sokawera Village, Karangtengah District, Banyumas Regency – Central Java. The type of this camp was Education – Culture. There were 5 participants in this work camp from IWO Korea (3), YAP Italy (1) and Indonesia (leader)

In this work camp, Dejavato Foundation working together with local partner Argowilis Non Formal Education Center. The center was funded by local people to response the needs of non formal education for the poor children in the village. It conducts and provides free school for local children with the teachers are volunteers of the youth and parents itself. They don’t have formal school building, but the teaching activities are conducted at villagers houses and the center. The students not only learn formal subjects, but they also taught with other skills such as making coconut sugar, sewing, making handicrafts, agriculture, organizing outdoor activities etc.

The daily activities of the volunteers were teaching English and some Korean and Italian for students. They also did small renovation of the new school building in the afternoon. During the project, the participants stay at local villager houses, and it gives experience about Indonesian daily life. They also have very good opportunity in learning how to play traditional musical instruments called “Calung”, making handicrafts, discussion, traditional games and cultural exchange, and do some sport competition. The volunteers stay, they also did some environment activities like hiking and trekking to Cipendok waterfall and forest


Short Visit Program (SVP) : 03 – 16 September 2007
The Short Visit Program is special project that held by Dejavato Foundation provided for an individual or a group volunteer who wants to do voluntary work with the period of projects based on their request. This program is open all year and the applicant volunteers can choose the dates and activities according to their preference and interest. So we can say that it’s such a flexible program. This program is also possible for foreign students or expatriates in Indonesia, and having interest to do voluntary works in short period.

In September 2007, we received 2 volunteers from AFS Nederlands. Both of them did different project in different site. Maarten chose construction-renovation work in Sokawera village by assisting the local workers to build the local school building. During his stay, he lived with local host family and did some other activities like learning how to make coconut sugar, making handicrafts, trekking, and excursion with local volunteers.

While Femke did English teaching work at Theresiana Christian School in Semarang City. During in Semarang, she stayed with local host family in order to give her opportunity of learning daily life and customs of Indonesian family. The host family was Mr. Agus Suwarso who also as one of the teachers in Theresiana School.

Theresiana School is one of the favorite schools in Semarang under the Bernadus Christian Foundation. The school is located close to the downtown, and the campus is used for the students from elementary to junior high school level. So, Femke had chances to do teaching at almost classes in different level.


Koinobori Festival : 13 – 19 August 2007
In order to welcoming Indonesian Independence Day Celebration on 17th August, almost Indonesian people did activities like cleaning their areas, and conducted sport or games competition with their neighborhood or at working site.
Dejavato Foundation created our own way to celebrate this event by making small festival called Koinobori Festival. The festival was held by raising Koinobori ( flags with the shapes of various fish from Japan) in front of Dejavato’s office. This kind of event is the first time held by Dejavato and also was the first time held in Semarang City. This festival had aims to celebrate Indonesian Independence day as well as introducing different culture (Japanese culture) to local people. This event got big appreciation from local people and neighborhood.