Help Dreams Rise in Remote Bali

As we started the new 2018-2019 academic year on 2^nd July, I wanted to (a) sincerely thank all of our donors whose support has enabled us to continue educating our motivated Pengalusan and Jatituhu children and (b) update you with their recent achievements/successes and the challenges we face in the months and year ahead– especially as we ran the programs from January 2018 without sufficient funding,but we still continued,as our commitment to give them an integrated and relevant education.

 National Exam Success

Although they had limited time to prepare (only returned to school in mid-February after  Mt Agung eruption evacuations), we are delighted to report that allstudents who took the National Exams in April & May GRADUATED from their respective levels:  5 from elementary, 4 junior high and 5 from senior high school (3 Pengalusan boys& 2 Jatituhu girls). The elementary and junior high school graduates continued to the next level at our school, whilst 3senior high school graduates planned to continue to tertiary education and the other 2 have jobs lined up.Read Pengalusan Graduates success stories, below. From illiteracy to graduation!

Challenges

1) Funds urgently needed for Jatituhu and PengalusanChildren's Education!

Our mission since EBPP started in 1998 is to eliminate illiteracy in impoverished communities.In addition to the children presently in school, 8 Jatituhu children are eager to enrol to our Elementary School – inspired by our new graduates - but we are unable to accept them yet due to shortage of funds. Our school is the only real choice for them as the nearest government school is average of 2+ hours walk from their remote hillside homes. Please support us to continue educating the present Jatituhu and Pengalusan children and give the opportunity of the 8 children in waiting to enrol for the 2018-2019 academic year – and enable these students to continue their education, graduate, and lead their communities to prosperity.

Please donate to our GlobalGiving campaign. On GGRewards Bonus Day, 18th July: 9am - 11.59pm EDT (Bali time: 9pm on 18th July - 11.59am on 19th July),GlobalGiving matches all donations up to $500by 50%!

2)  Uncertainty of Mount Agung Volcano Eruptions

Mount Agungstarted erupting again on 27^th June, with multiple eruptions and earthquakes to date, the biggest eruption being on 2^nd July forcingPengalusan and other communities living nearest the crater to evacuate to a safer locationat Ban village office, 12km away. Fortunately our Jatituhu School is not yet affected as Jatituhu is 8km from the crater and outside the danger zone.

Pengalusan School activities have been affected again by this current situation - but EBPP has given utmost support, and from 9^th July, all Pengalusan students- together with our nearby Cegi School, also suspended due to eruptions - are studying in EBPP temporary camp in Tianyar village, 20 km from the crater. Every day EBPP picks up the students from the evacuation camp and drives them to Tianyar.We hope and pray that Mount Agung’s activity will soon cease so that these students can return to study in their own school.

These children need your help. Please continue supporting them in this new academic year.

Thank you so much for your donations that enable these children continue their education.

Success Story of our Senior High School Students Graduates

1)    I Want to be Indonesia’s Forestry Minister

My name is Nengah L. I took the national exam in April and May. The tests were difficult, but I studied really hard and I’ve finally got the news that I passed the exam!

I still can’t believe that I could graduate from high school. For 12 years, I was very happy to attend EBPP School and I enjoyed learning with my friends. My favourite lesson was EMpower because it taught me so many practical skills and knowledge, such as computer operation and gender. I am especially impressed with EMpower Spark & Ignite classes as I could learn about relationship between genders, something that is not openly talked about in our community. In the future, I hope men and women will get the same experience and opportunity in the community.

Now that I have graduated, I want to aim high. My father, mother, and brother only work as farmers, but I want to continue studying in college – something that no one in the family had done. After that, I hope to find a good job in Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry and maybe achieving my lifelong dream to be the Forestry Minister of Indonesia!

2)      Working to Help My Family after Graduation

My name is Nyoman O. My Mum and Dad only work as farmers, while they have four children to take care of, including me. Sometimes I will also help them taking care of our cows, or weaving bamboo baskets to be sold at the market. I am very grateful because EBPP has provided me with free education for 12 years. I have learned how to read, write, and count, as well as many other life skills.

Now that I have graduated from high school, I want to find work outside the village, preferably in the hospitality industry. This way, I can help my family to get a better life!

3) My Time in EBPP School

My name is Nengah M from Pengalusan. I am 19 years old. My hobby is playing volley ball with my friends. I have a dream to work in a hospitality industry.

I have learned so many things during my time studying in EBPP School. I made a lot of friends, and I enjoy learning with them. One of the most important things I learn in school was about gender equality and the importance of respecting everyone, regardless of their gender.

After this, I want to work in a hotel or other hospitality industry outside the village. I want to be a successful man that can benefit my family and my community.