Bringing Education to Bali's Mountains

From July to October 2025, Manikaji School continued to make steady progress through a variety of academic and non-academic programs, including new student admissions, cultural events, agriculture, arts, and empowerment activities. These reflected our ongoing commitment to holistic education that nurtures both learning and life skills.

New Student Admission

In July, we enrolled 13 new students; twelve in 1^st Grade and one in Grade 10, Senior High.

Learning English through Films

A major highlight was the program taught by volunteer English teacher, Cory White from USA from July - August, who taught English through subtitled films, which noticeably improved students listening, speaking, and vocabulary skills while enjoying stories and discussions about culture, characters, and everyday English expressions.

80^th Indonesian Independence Day Celebrations
On 17 August, students proudly joined the celebration and achieved several awards: 1st place in boys’ Tajog (bamboo stilts race), 3rd place in girls’ Tajog, 3rd place in cracker-eating, and 3rd place in the dangdut sack race. Students also showcased their talents through performances such as the drama “Preserving Balinese Culture After Independence,” poems about freedom, an English poem “The Spirit of Independence” by the English Club, modern dance, and songs “Flower,” “Jadilah Legenda,” and “Pagi.”

EBPP Middle Grade Online Assessment
Students from Grades 5, 8, and 11 took Middle Grade Online Assessment held by the government to measure literacy, numeracy, and character. Simulations ran from 23–25 August and final assessments on 10–11 September. This experience improved students’ digital literacy and confidence with online learning platforms.

Dryland Regenerative Agriculture
Our juior and senior high students continued learning a developing their pilot project and home gardens, with successfully harvests of tomatoes, chilies, and Pak Choi. In September, students focused on making more organic fertilizers using dry and green leaves, and in October, they developed more terraced garden beds in preparation for the upcoming rainy season, typically starting in November.

Bamboo craft activities
As part of the Bamboo skills Program, students crafted bamboo balancing dragonflies, clocks, and chairs. In October, they learned to make a Cungklik, a traditional Balinese bamboo gamelan instrument, developing both their creativity and craftsmanship.

Art Program
Students created motivational word posters and designing illustrated stories and comics, combining creativity and storytelling. These activities encouraged imagination, improved artistic skills, and provided students with opportunities to express their thoughts and emotions visually.

Computer Skills Program

Computer classes resumed with practical training in Microsoft Word and Excel, helping students build essential digital literacy skills such as typing, formatting documents, and organizing data effectively.

Leadership and Empowerment

September also marked the continuation of the Leadership and Empowerment Program, focusing on adolescent health and reproductive rights. Topics included puberty, personal hygiene, emotional well-being, and self-esteem—helping students make informed and confident life choices.

English Club
In early July, four senior high school students joined the weekly English Club to further enhance their English proficiency, focusing on vocabulary enrichment and speaking practice.

We sincerely thank you for your continuous support that helps Manikaji students keep learning and growing toward a brighter future.