Our teacher Mrs. Heni underwent a two-week training program, mentored by a seasoned Swiss instructor with extensive experience in Indonesia, aimed at enhancing pedagogical skills and optimizing our curriculum. This cross-cultural collaboration allowed for significant improvements in teaching strategies and curriculum development. The mentorship provided a unique perspective, combining Swiss educational excellence with Indonesian cultural insights.
We developed a prototype for our first reusable concrete precast formwork. These pre-created building elements will enable us to work faster and with greater precision on-site. This innovation allows us to achieve higher quality and increased efficiency with less effort, streamlining construction processes and enhancing overall productivity.
Vera, a volunteer from Switzerland, spent one month teaching English to four different groups in our community, including three senior high school (SMA) classes, a junior high school (SMP) class, a mixed-age class, and our local team. Her teaching, driven by a deep passion for education and a genuine connection with the people here, catered to diverse proficiency levels and age groups, significantly enhancing English language skills. The emotional bond formed between Vera and the students underscored the profound impact of her volunteer service, making her departure a poignant moment for everyone involved.
In February 2024, after a 4 month break, we returned to the project site to continue work on the main school building. Significant progress had been made in 2023, starting the construction from nothing in just four months, but the building was not yet complete. Our efforts now focused on finishing the remaining tasks and moving closer to making the school fully operational.
Some tasks, like the roof and terrace, had been handled during our absence. The terrace turned out beautifully, thanks to the skillful work of Pak Sutono, a carpenter from Kalimantan. However, the roof presented significant challenges. It had been poorly installed, leaving it leaky and unusable. We had to carefully dismantle sections of the roof to address these issues and ensure it was weatherproof and properly mounted.
The finishing phase included installing floors, walls, electrical systems, a water system, and entrance stairs, all within a tight two-month schedule. Logistical hurdles remained significant, as the nearest city was six hours away and the access road to the site was still under construction.
Our workforce consisted of about 50% skilled laborers from Java and 50% local workers. While Javanese workers are generally more experienced, it’s challenging to bring them to such a remote location. Over the past year, we have dedicated ourselves to training and mentoring local workers. Their skills have improved remarkably, and with proper supervision, they can now perform tasks on par with their Javanese counterparts. This marks a significant achievement, given the vast disparities in education and technical expertise between Java and Timor, where educational opportunities remain alarmingly limited.
This effort highlights our commitment to empowering the local community, not just by completing the building but by fostering skill development and creating opportunities for long-term growth.
We installed the electrical lines underground, which is rarely done in countries like this. Laying the sewer lines was a particular challenge due to the steep terrain, although the incline ensured there were no issues with achieving the necessary slope. Following the local approach, we built a simple tank in a spot where it would not cause any disturbance, as constructing our own wastewater treatment plant would be far too expensive and not cost-effective. The village has neither a water supply system nor waste disposal infrastructure.
Most of the furnishings for the school were custom-made from wood by skilled carpenters in Kupang. For the kindergarten’s learning materials and equipment, we found excellent shops in Kupang that provided everything we needed to create a well-equipped and engaging learning environment. Our pickup truck was fully loaded and had to make several trips to transport everything to the school.
After more than a year of hard work, we have finally completed the construction of our school building, which will serve our kindergarten, primary school, and provide accommodations for our teachers. We celebrated this achievement in conjunction with the graduation ceremony of our kindergarten students. This marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide quality education and facilities for our community.
In June, following the end of the school year, all our teachers participated in a Community Development Training held in Soe. The training focused on building skills to empower communities, with one session addressing strategies for improving community health. This event strengthened our team’s ability to support sustainable development in remote areas.
Our primary school officially opened its doors this year, exclusively for students who completed our kindergarten program. We began the school year with 6 students in Grade 1 of the primary school, alongside 8 existing and 11 new kindergarten students, bringing the total to 25 students.
For this milestone, we were fortunate to welcome an outstanding teacher, Pak Bambang Haryadi, from Yogyakarta. Pak Bambang, the husband of our kindergarten head, Ibu Heni, brings decades of teaching experience and an education level well above average, even by Javanese standards. We believe exceptional learning progress requires exceptional teachers, and Pak Bambang is a perfect fit to guide our students through this exciting new chapter.
From August 30 to September 15, 2024, our teachers participated in a two-week training program led by a seasoned Swiss instructor with extensive experience in Indonesia. This cross-cultural collaboration offered valuable insights, blending Swiss educational excellence with a deep understanding of local needs. The program focused on enhancing teaching skills, optimizing curriculum delivery, and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Practical activities like taking the children to the local market showcased the importance of clear roles and teamwork in managing group activities. Teachers also explored ways to connect real-world scenarios with classroom learning, inspiring creative play among students. Despite challenges like steep learning curves for some staff, the training helped build confidence, especially in handling unforeseen situations and working collaboratively.
The training also focused on strengthening leadership within the team. Teachers were encouraged to take greater responsibility, which included preparing lessons independently and adapting to sudden changes, such as when senior staff were unavailable. Additionally, the training reinforced the importance of building strong connections within the local community, which is vital for sustaining the school’s impact in this remote area. The program concluded with positive results, leaving the team better equipped to deliver quality education and tackle future challenges.
Transforming a slope into a finished playground was a significant achievement for our team. The steep slope was terraced using natural stone walls, creating a safe and durable structure. Gravel floors were added to ensure stability and provide a solid foundation for play and activities.
This project not only improved the usability of the space but also harmonized with the natural environment, preserving the area’s aesthetic while making it functional for the children. The completed playground is now a vibrant and secure area for students to play, explore, and grow.
Since its inception, the Saya Suka Membaca (SSM) program has been a cornerstone of our efforts to promote literacy. This year, two of our kindergarten teachers attended advanced training in Kupang to expand their teaching skills using the SSM curriculum. The training focused on two new levels—“Kata Kalimat” (Word-Sentence) and “Baca Mandiri” (Independent Reading)—equipping teachers with effective methods to develop students’ reading comprehension and fluency.
The training sessions, conducted over two days, included interactive demonstrations, group practice, and hands-on exercises to master the curriculum. Teachers practiced techniques such as introducing punctuation, reading comprehension strategies, and fostering independent reading habits among young learners. The workshops emphasized both theoretical understanding and practical application, ensuring teachers were well-prepared to implement the program effectively.
The program’s success lies in its ability to make reading an enjoyable and accessible experience for children. By equipping teachers with advanced skills, the training aims to create a lasting impact on students’ literacy development. With these new tools, our teachers are empowered to nurture a love for reading, helping children unlock their potential and lay the foundation for lifelong learning.
To ensure a reliable water supply, we overhauled our rainwater collection system, starting with replacing the broken gutters. On Timor Island, even in urban areas, quality materials are hard to find, and the previous gutter system failed within six months. We built a new system from scratch, cutting and welding iron and repurposing standard pipes into custom gutters. Once completed, the system proved effective, quickly filling our 10,000-liter water tank during heavy rains. With the excellent air quality in the area, the collected rainwater is clean and suitable for use.
Recognizing the need for additional storage, we constructed a new 5,000-liter water tank outside, next to the entrance stairs. This tank serves as a backup for the dry season, allowing us to receive water deliveries more easily. Its location, close to the road and at a lower elevation, makes it accessible even for tank trucks without pumps.
With a total storage capacity of 15,000 liters, our system can now sustain the school for approximately 1.5 months of operation. This upgrade ensures uninterrupted access to water, supporting both daily needs and long-term sustainability.
The access road to our school was previously in terrible condition, especially during the rainy season when it resembled a creek more than a road. The steep incline made it nearly impossible for many cars and trucks to reach the school, causing frequent logistical challenges.
Now, we are thrilled to share that the road has been fully completed! This marks the final stretch of the route to Kupang, the nearest city, being paved.
With smooth pavement from Kupang to the school, transportation is now reliable and significantly easier. This improvement not only benefits our school but also enhances connectivity for the entire community.
The school is successfully running, supported by a great team, many trainings, and significant improvements in infrastructure and teaching. The children have made remarkable progress, with many already able to read simple words and sentences.
We are delighted with the accomplishments, as our goals for 2024 were achieved successfully. While there is still much potential for growth, these results are exceptional given the challenges of this region. Beyond measurable academic achievements, we are confident that the children’s overall development, especially brain development, is thriving thanks to the wide range of activities that engage all learning areas.
Teachers and students on the last day of school before the holidays
Empower Generations Indonesia is a charity providing quality education and promoting sustainable development in remote Indonesia.
IBAN: CH02 0839 3053 9833 4714 6
Empower Generations Indonesia
Vorholzstrasse 48
3800 Unterseen
Switzerland
