Give An Education To A Trash Picker's Child

Rizal is one of the 75 students who are in XSProject’s XSEducation program. In July, he entered Middle School (7^th grade).

Before XSProject came to the garbage dump, the few children of trash pickers who went to school did not have good grades, so when they graduated from elementary school they could not go on to public middle school. Now, with the support of XSProject and their moms, students like Rizal, have higher expectations for themselves, strive to get good grades and work hard to be able to attend the public middle school.

It’s difficult to get accepted  into Jakarta’s public schools. Seating is limited and students must have very good grades to be accepted. Parents rush to school the minute they learn that registration is open, to register their children for the new school year.

When Rizal’s mother, Mis, learned that the middle school registration was open, she and another mother, Ida, went quickly to the school to register their sons. When they arrived, the school staff  told them they needed to pay IDR 600,000 ($50) that day or their sons would not get registered.

They didn't have the money that day and were very worried and disappointed. They called their friend Wati,  who works with XSProject. Wati took them money from XSProject and Rizal and Ida’s son, Bachrudin, were soon successfully registered for the year.

When Mis and Ida returned home, XSProject General Manager, Retno Hapsari was waiting for them. They had not remembered that XSProject already promised to pay for all the children’s education, even in public middle school. When Mis heard this from Retno, she broke down to tears, sobbing as if a burden had lifted off her shoulders. She kept saying thank you and that she didn’t know what would have happened if there was no XSProject to help.

This is a simple but often repeated story of how much these mothers want their children to get an education so they can have a better life. In this case, it had a happy ending.

But the real story begins and ends with the generosity of GlobalGiving donors. There never would have been a story about how determined Rizal’s mother was to get him registered if it had not been for one donor’s $50 contribution to XSProject. Such a simple action made a profound difference. That donation changed Rizal and his family’s life.

As  schools in Indonesia close for summer vacation, we want to give a big "shout out" and thanks to the international schools that opened their facilities and hearts to the children of Jakarta’s trash picker community this semester.

It is with great thanks and appreciation to all the administrators of the international schools, for opening their playgrounds, gymnasiums and classrooms so XSProject could bring the trash picker families to socialize, receive health check-ups and have play and study dates and mentoring for the students.

Thank you to the faculty of the schools who generously give your time, year after year to tutor the struggling students from the Cirendeu open dump. When the students were unable to come to the international school, you found a way to go to them in their homes, to make sure their assignments were completed and homework was checked. Their lives are better because you care.

We cannot forget to thank all the international students (you know who you are)! One of the great things about going to school in another country is learning about other cultures and making new friends, sometimes for a lifetime.  Lives are enriched by the friends you make. However far away you are this summer, it’s only miles that separate you. 

XSProject and all the students in the XSEducation program look forward to seeing you in September.Sampai jumpa lagi!