Learning Centre Indrapuri

One day a young university student from a village in the Indrapuri area arrived at our Learning Center in Lam Asan, accompanied by a few of her friends. Despite being shy and nervous, her eyes twinkled with determination, and a broad smile illuminated her face. She had journeyed a considerable distance to Lam Asan with a specific purpose in mind – to inquire about the possibility of replicating our Educational Support Program in her village. As we began to chat, I outlined our program's conditions to her. We emphasized the importance of partnership, highlighting that while structures were not within our scope, the village would need to allocate a space for our lessons. For true community ownership, the village would have to contribute this essential element, while we would provide all other necessary resources. Our conversation underscored the significance of local teachers leading the initiatives, ensuring that our efforts are tailored to the community's specific needs and enabling swift responses to arising challenges. I emphasized the necessity of engaging with the village leadership, elders, and parents to establish clear expectations and foster mutual understanding.

As she rode off on her scooter, I couldn't help but feel inspired by this young lady's determination and initiative. I found myself admiring her spirit and dedication to making a difference in her community. It left me hopeful that our paths would cross again in the future, although uncertain if that would become a reality. In a time where many programs focused on construction projects, our approach stood out as unique. Instead of building from scratch, we chose to work with and enhance existing resources within the villages. This approach not only showcased the beauty of sustainability but also empowered the community to thrive with what they already had.

A few days later, she reappeared with a warm smile, inviting me to her village to meet everyone and view the proposed building where our Educational Support Program could potentially be established. Excitement filled the air as we exchanged visits with her and her dedicated team of university students, who were to become the teachers in our innovative program. Their visits to our Learning Center in Lam Asan, allowed them to witness firsthand how our program operates and the impact it has on the children. It was a day fill with joy and excitement when we finally opened the doors to our Education Support Program in Indrapuri, marking the beginning of a powerful partnership aimed at providing free Educational Support to the children of Aceh and continuing our mission to alleviate poverty through education.

We are incredibly proud to see the remarkable journey of this young university student who has now blossomed into an amazing woman. She is not only a dedicated mother of two children but also a passionate teacher at the local secondary. It was wonderful to see her train the teachers at our Lam Terba Learning Center and sharing her knowledge with others. Moreover, her initiative to expand our library by accessing local government support is inspiring. By creating more opportunities for the children in Aceh to access educational resources, she is making a lasting impact on their lives and the community as a whole.

Her determination and hard work are truly inspiring, we are immensely grateful for her contributions and dedication. Her story is a shining example of the positive change that can happen when individuals are empowered through education.