Our first Banjar Saraswati Product

Note in post card selling at Ganesha bookstore:

Om Swatiastu!

First and foremost, I thank you for buying this card. In doing so, you are contributing to the fund used to help build a village school library here in Bali.

My name is Miyuki Hama, and I have specially designed this card for the purpose of raising funds. Myself, with some friends, are from Banjar Saraswati. We are a group of individuals with the objective of raising literacy standards in Bali.

We raise funds on our own and use the money to build simple and cost effective libraries by converting existing vacant rooms in the school into one. The money goes into paying for whatever is needed to refurbish the room, and of course, the books.

You may visit our blog for updates on what we are doing. Please look us up at:

http://riandaquelle.blogspot.com/

Or you may email us at: banjarsaraswati@gmail.com


Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om

Miyuki Hama



These cards (See pic- left: Saraswati, right: Ganesha) by Miyuki are sold at Ganesha bookstore for our cause. If you like the cards, or simply just because you want to support us, please buy them! They are sold at S$3.50 (SINGAPORE DOLLAR) per piece, it’s a card and it comes with an envelope.

As mentioned in the note above, this is an actual painting done by Miyuki for Banjar Saraswati, which is then scanned and printed into a card. Whatever is paid for the card first goes back to paying for the materials to create the card, the rest goes to the fund. The artist does not pocket anything.

Whatever is paid for the card first goes back to paying for the materials to create the card, the rest goes to the fund. The artist does not pocket anything.

Do let your friends know about this. Also, if you would like to buy the cards, please email us your mobile number in Singapore and the amount of cards you wish to purchase at- banjarsaraswati@gmail.com

It’s not safe for us to mail it back so we’ll have to personally bring it back to Singapore…and that will be in July. That also means you pay only when the goods arrive ☺

Once again in summary:
Price of card is S$3.50, email us-
1. Which card you wish to buy (Ganesha, Saraswati, or both?)
2. How many of each you wish to buy (buy 1 only also can)
3. Your name and HP no in Singapore

For those who don’t live in Singapore…how ah? Email us and we’ll try to figure it out ya?

We’re also sourcing for more inexpensive local stuff to sell on the blog to get more funds, stay tuned and support!

Graduation at Singapadu

Last week, there was was a mass graduation ceremony for the kelas 6 kids at Singapadu. I say “mass” because in this village, there are 5 elementary schools- Sekolah Dasar no. 1 to no. 5, and in the schools, they have kids from kelas 1 till 6. So kelas 6 is like the primary 6 level in Singapore, the system’s just about the same, except minus all the nonsense that stresses out kids that age.


All of us at Banjar Saraswati were invited to go because the library we’re building (ya ya...it’s almost finished...) is in one of the schools, that’s SD 2 Samu, and the other is the one we’re conducting the reading program, that's at SD 4 Belang.

Er. What? Where? Too many names? Well, Singapadu is the name of the village, Samu and Belang is the name of the banjar, sort of like the sub unit of the village. Each of the banjars here have a school. Get the picture?

The graduation ceremony was true blue Balinese, with each school putting up a dance and music item.

P

Some of the kids attending our reading program got prizes! Top 3 in their level! Let me explain this- They’re not getting the prizes cos they’ve attending the program...but, it so happens that these already smart kids destined for the prize are attending our program! Get it?


Unfortunately though, the adults had to go spoil it all...by talking too much! Remember how we had to sit through those loooong and boooooring talks in the school hall? To maintain our sanity, we’d be forced into waging rubber band propelled paper bullet wars...only to be singled out and punished...wonder, who’s fault??? Oh, but what matyrs we were then...hehe...

Why adults have to talk so much in events like this, I don’t know...some more talk about the most uninteresting topics. Then thank this VIP for gracing the event, thank that big shot for something else...like the kids care! Maybe it’s just an adult thing to do, talk much and talk like you know better. Well, now most of us are adults, hope we all know better than that.

At this graduation, there WAS one saving factor. Though the adults talked a lot, the kids were allowed to talk also! So everyone talked, nobody listened, but when the chap on the stage ended his talk with “Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om”...all the kids yelled back in reply “OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI OM” too! Funneee...!

After this stage, those who have graduated will go to SMP- Sekolah Menengah Pertama, the lower secondary level. (After SMP is SMA- Sekolah Menengah Atas, the upper secondary level) It’s holidays for them now, and new term starts in July. In the new term, the library at Samu will be fully functional ☺ finally…

We are complete!...for a week and a 2 days

2 members of Banjar Saraswati, Singapore extension, landed in Bali on 29 May 2008, Thursday at 9.30pm. Eswandy and Antoinette, Banjar Saraswati’s 2 elite executives, brought along with them the fruits of their labour- a pool of donated books for a certain village school library.




3 days later, both conducted a lesson at the Belang elementary school through the story “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. “The Giving Tree” is a story of giving and mistaken requirements for happiness.



This marks Banjar Saraswati’s first lesson on impressing morality in the young minds of Bali. Educating through emphasis on wisdom and compassion over the oft misused and misled convention through rote learning is a belief Banjar Saraswati holds dear.



On the eve of 8 July 2008, Sunday, Eswandy and Antoinette quietly exchanged Balinese soil for Singaporean toil. Banjar Saraswati dearly misses them. Benar...

The day before Saraswati, 6 June 2008, Friday

The morning before Saraswati day, we all gathered at Made’s home in Singapadu to get the Samu library ready. Over coffee and snacks, the books are sorted out and stamped with our lady symbol of wisdom.



We are, as always, impressed with what Miyuki has in store for us, the finishing touches Miyuki made to the paintings in the library were sublime! And then there's her latest and most thoughtful contribution to the library- a sign!



The last time we were in Singapore, we requested for well wishes from our friends, wondered what became of them?




And now, there are finally books on the shelves!

Saraswati Day, 7 June 2008, Saturday

In Bali, they have days to do tribute to the many things they rely on, for livelihood or the elements that enrich their lives. They have days where they will make offerings to animals (Tumpek Kandang) , to plants (Tumpek Uduh), to instruments used in Wayang Kulit, or the traditional shadow puppet performances (Tumpek Wayang), and to things sharp (Tumpek Landep, for knives, computers cos they…errr… “keep the mind sharp” and even vehicles, don’t know how that came about though)

On this day, it is Saraswati Day! It’s sorta like our day isn’t it? This is the day to make offerings to lontars (traditional ‘books’ made of palm) and books, the stuff of wisdom.



All educational institutions will, on this day, have ceremonies conducted at their premises, to pray, to clear away obstacles and to make offerings.



In completing the ceremony, the pupils of class 6 (they’ll be graduating this month! Graduation ceremony on 13 June, wait for our entry on that ☺) pray on behalf of all the students.


Thus, as of today, the library we have been building is, I would say, spiritually open! We join the school in Samu (where our library is built) for the ceremony. Bantens and canangs (offerings of food or symbols) are offered in the school and the library, and is blessed by Dewi Saraswati.



So now, almost all are in place for the official opening of the library, except that many of the books we’ve ordered have not come in from the factory in Surabaya…in a few days time they’ll be here, we’ve been told, but we know, it’s always…just maybe…

Keeping us going

This entry is all about thanking people, remembering those who supported us and encouraged us when we started, and those who still are.

We thank Adrian’s cousin, who has generously donated but doesn’t want to be named.

We thank Phak, Owen and Emma who have donated so many of their books to the library.

We thank Brian and Fiona for their encouragement through donations.

We thank Yuriko (Miyuki’s best friend!), who brought very nice books all the way from Japan.

We thank Madhu and Iris for the very useful books.

Denise, thank you too though the books got lost ☺

Asma, we received your donations through Es, thanks again!

Es and Ann, though you’re both part of the committee…we still do thank you both, for spreading the word, coordinating the collecting of books, and bringing them over. It is heartwarming to know that all of you back there care for the kids here and what we are doing.

Many of the books had quite an adventure, traveling by land and sea for over 3 weeks. Others traveled more luxuriously, 2 and a half hours flight, with Es and Ann lugging them around. We do hope to find more economical and practical ways to ship things over though…contacts or ideas, anyone?

A lesson under the shade of a tree

This update is about 2 weeks outdated! The previous blog had it that we were all heading out of school for lessons…but we had consulted the village head too late! The bale banjar was to be still occupied for ceremonial preparations… Also, we completely forgot to at least TRY to inform the kids, so they all still came in their “pakaian adat” (ceremonial attire)- sarong and all!


In the end, we had to do it in school…but out of class and under the shade of a tree, it was a lot of fun! Lessons should be conducted so, shouldn’t they?



There were more kids than usual that day, the 4 of us had a rather hectic time, but it was well worth it. We started off singing some English songs that we learnt together previously, then played word games, followed by some light snacks, and finished off with a closing group photo session...we were so inspired, we’re planning for an English day camp during theirs hols in June!

Some Progress on the Library Project

Before we even started work on the library at Sekolah Dasar Samu (which is actually the only library we’re working on now, the other is an English program at Sekolah Dasar Belang), Miyuki had already drawn up the design for it.



For a volunteer project, she certainly has put in a lot of heart into it! Just goes to show that we don’t need lots of money to make a place look cosy!



Seems to be turning out like how Miyuki envisioned it.

Previously, we had some problems getting a tukang (worker), a general one, a fix-it-all. Which was in fact our good fortune, for some time later, SC’s dance teacher’s (Ibu* Cok Rai) husband (Pak Toni) volunteered to take it up.


So far Pak Toni has done a commendable job, and we’re considering of enlisting his help for future projects.

*Additional info: Ibu is a term used in Bali (actually, Indonesia) for calling women who are ehhh...well, not so young… (like “auntie” or “makcik”) For men, that’ll be “Bapak” or “Pak”. So I am called “Pak” pretty often here. Ibu Cok Rai is in fact younger than us, but we still call her “Ibu” cos she’s 1) Married, and 2) a mother already. Kids run around calling almost everyone “Ibu” or “Pak”, anyone that’s older than them. Adults will probably refer to you as so…probably cos they respect you as an equal hehe…so don’t be offended when you’re referred to as so here ya?

A lesson on instructions for next lesson

"When will we have English lesson again?"
"What time will we come to school?"
"Where will we have our English lesson?"
"How will we go there?"
"What will we wear?"
"What will we do there?"
"What time will we go home?"


Can you complete the sentences and answer all the questions? The kids sure can! And for real, we will have our next lesson outdoors, with songs and games, and food!

So where will we have our English lesson again?

Now we exist!

We are now officially in existance because...we've got an identity! Though identity is the cause of man's downfall, we decided that if we needed help, we've got to hang out with the Romans...hehehe...

We didn’t quite think we’d need a name...what more a logo...but having talked to some people in “the field”, it’s seemed more favourable to have one. With it, we’ll have an identity, and in wielding this passport of identity, we’ll be able to seek help from other more POWERFUL groups.

We have been thinking about what to call ourselves, I remember pondering over it in Singapore with Es, and we both thought Banjar Saraswati would be an appropriate name for us. The rest in Bali agreed, and then came the long and tedious process (for Miyuki) to design the logo. She painstakingly designed a few, but we couldn’t use them cos they were too detailed, we needed them to be simple enough to be made into a ink stamp.

note: I've tried to upload the other sample logos Miyuki has designed, by couldn't cos they're in a different format...being the computer dunce that I am, it cannot be helped...

WHY BANJAR SARASWATI?

Banjars are unique to Bali, they are like the village government. The people from the banjar form a community that looks out for each other. For example, during a funeral or a wedding, much help is needed for preparation, whether if it’s for food, or decorating the place, or just helping out serving and cleaning. The banjar holds a meeting and duties are delegated. They also call this “gotong royong”. Banjars are also responsible for many other things, like settling disputes, coming to aid during emergencies, doing spring cleaning for the village, etc etc...

In Bali, Saraswati is the slim waisted waif like goddess (also called "Dewi", male gods are called "Dewa")of wisdom and creativity (In India, she acquires a more voluptuous figure). Almost every education related institution has her presence, whether manifested as a statue in the courtyard, or her portrait in their logo.

In Banjar Saraswati, all of us form a community, and we help each other out. It’s like an extended community, one that is propelled by the common need to promote wisdom and creativity. All that is said sounds rather impressive, doesn’t it? We’re still far from that “grandeur”, but we’ll do it at Balinese pace, and well, we might just make it .

PS. All correspondence will be directed to and through our official email. Banjar Saraswati has her very own email! Contact her at: banjarsaraswati@gmail.com

Our English Program

2nd week of the reading program, and we realized it isn’t a reading program we’re conducting, it’s an English language program! At least it is so for now. This week we had all the kids to ourselves, and we had a lovely time. We’re still getting to know the kids and their proficiency, so lessons are still a bit haphazard, so we won’t bother to describe what goes on in class for now.



It poured the whole night through and spilled right into the morning, but the rain didn’t stop the kids from coming. The skies then cleared for the children to go home, and revealed the northern mountains usually obscured by clouds. Whoever’s planning for a holiday in Bali could add volunteering a Sunday with us here to your itinerary 

A Good Paint Job

29 March, Saturday, we started on the paint job for the walls, Miyuki was the artist, so she had free rein on what color to choose, and she chose….lime green! That did make the difference in cheering up the room, and we hope it will for the children too.

When we arrived, the girls (notice no boys?) who were with us the previous week cleaning up were all armed and ready. We cleaned up the room a bit more, then started work on the painting, which, to the disappointment of the girls, they could not help.

Just when the girls’ energy levels were waning, extra help arrived! Our good friends Tomoe and Ralf, with their 2 friends on holiday from Germany volunteered to burn their Saturday morning with us. They carried on with the rest of the paint job, and in a jiffy, all was done.

Library building, first stage- cleaning up.

We arrived in school, met the principal, told her we wanted to clean up the room (we had volunteered to be the cleaning party), and were told to wait…and when we finally decided that we needed to get our ass moving, we walked out, and lo and behold! the room was being cleaned out by almost every kid in school! This here is an example of Balinese efficiency.

All hands on deck!

Not all...the practice in lounging around starts young for Balinese men.

The junk were moved out, room swept and washed out, and we stood around taking photos of the cute little pupils from Taman Kanak-kanak (T.K. in short, meaning "Kindergarten")who were too young to help.

TK girls in prayer at end of class

In about half an hours time, for the first time in many years, the room was swathed in sunshine...and we were able to take in...what repairs were needed for the room!

Not exactly "gleaming", but good enough, check out the "was" pic in the previous blogs...

Next stage, repairs and painting the room.

The girls who stuck with the cleaning right through to the end, thank you!

Some hiccups with the Reading Program

On 16 March, Sunday, we volunteered at the reading program at Sekolah Dasar Belang Singapadu. This was the school we reported on in the earlier blog, the school that the Bali Children’s Foundation help build the library.

Reading program conducted in library

English dialogue drill!

The reading program was “sort of” already in place, conducted by the school’s English teacher, who was paid to do so. On that day, with leave from the teacher, Made and Siew Cheng each took groups of pupils for warm up sessions of English speaking. It was a rather rewarding session as although most of their command of English were poor, they were really enthusiastic! So much so that most of them arrive for class way before scheduled time!

Surveying the situation, we felt that there were too many pupils for the teacher to handle, too little time invested, and well, the lessons could be better thought out and planned. We decided, we’ll talk to the teacher and work things out.

Going home...

The following Sunday, 23 March, cruising along the scenic route to school, we were looking forward to time spent with the kids...
Didn't quite do justice to the view in this pic...going back to a kampung school, how's that for incentive to go to school?

...but upon arriving in school, we found it empty! Empty it was, but it wasn’t supposed to be...the reading program is to run every Sunday, and we had already informed that we would be here.

Asking around, we found out that the children did come, and had waited for an hour for the teacher who did not come, then went home. We were a tad pissed. We couldn’t contact the teacher, so Made called the principal. There we discovered, that “some” of the teachers in that school can be very ill disciplined. There were cases of teachers leaving their places in the midst of a lesson to go home to attend to matters of no importance! Now, reporting on this, we're not bitching about the teacher, we just hope that should anyone wish to volunteer with the village schools, they would at least be aware of how "informal" their system of education is.

Again looking at the situation, we decided, we’ll work out the reading program on our own, and the teacher may help out whenever she feels like coming in.