THE BACKGROUND OF SESAWI FLORES With “sesawi” (indonesian), which means “the mustard seed”, we identify ourselves as a movement of solidarity amongst those in need in the society (especially the students) to help each other in achieving a better education with the generosity of others. Originally this idea was developed from the parabel of the mustard seed, which Jesus himself explained it to his disciples regarding the Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Matthew.“The Kingdom of Heaven," Jesus said, "is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air can come and shelter in it branches.” (cf. Matthew 13, 31-32).
Though it is considered as the smallest of all seeds, we hope that from the very beginning, we will commit ourselves to provide a better quality of the education of the children, especially in the elementary school.
Like mustard seed, it was planted in the unique beauty of Flores and was named as "SESAWI FLORES", which hopefully could become a place where many of the students may come to live their life in dignity
WHY DO WE HELP THE CANDITATES FOR TEACHER AND NOT DIRECTLY HELP THE CHILDREN?When we started Sesawi Flores on February 20, 2002, we simply would love to help some university students in the city, who were poor and unable to continue their studies because of the limitation of fund for their school fees. With the help of some friends abroad (especially a group of friends in Northern Ireland and USA), SESAWI FLORES was able to provide some funds for studies for these students. There have been at least 28 students who were graduated with this program.In 2007, after five years of its existence, SESAWI FLORES decided to reorganise its scope in helping the students. Because of the limitation of the funds, we come to a conclusion that we will help only the students who will become the future teachers of the elementary and secondary schools, especially in the most remote areas or villages in Flores and its neighbourhood.
This decision was made based on a consideration that according to the Education Minister of Indonesia, the quality of elementary and secondary schools in Nusa Tenggara Timur Province was the worst amongst provinces of Indonesia. We need to respond this situation right away.
Therefore, to help improving the quality education of these children, we would like to prepare for them better and qualified teachers. This is the reason why “SESAWI FLORES FOR HELPING CHILDREN AND THEIR TEACHERS” came into existence.
"Education has for its object the formation of character" (Herbert Spencer / 1820-1903) |
WHAT ARE WE DOING? "SESAWI FLORES FOR HELPING THE CHILDREN AND THEIR TEACHERS” has launched its program of scholarships for the candidates of teachers, which in 2006-2008 gave at least seven of unfortunate university students to take diplomas as teacher and 4 of them has been graduated as teachers. They have been teaching in the elementary and secondary schools in their villages and there are still more students to join this program, thanks to the continous support of benefactors in Ireland and Italy.
To keep the continuity of this program, we would like to transform this scholarships of “HELPING THE CHILDREN AND THEIR TEACHERS” to a program for ADOPTION IN DISTANCE for every students at least for 4 years.
THE ESTIMATION OF COST FOR 4 YEARS OF FORMATION OF THE STUDENTSIn order to support one student for 4 years of his/her studies to become a qualified teachers, bellow we provide the estimate of the cost of the studies, as follows:1. To sustain the university : Rp. 2,500,0002. Courses and exams (@ 3,000,000) : Rp. 12,000,0003. Books & dispenses (@1,000,000) : Rp. 4,000,0004.Transport per one year (@1,000,000) : Rp. 4,000,0005. For the diplomas &administration : Rp. 2,500,000Total : Rp. 25,000,000So with € 2,000 up to € 2,500 we could support the studies of a student for 4 years. In doing this, we certainly prepare them to become a future teacher, who in turn will dedicate their life for the elementary and secondary school boys and girls, especially those children in the remote areas of Indonesia in general and particularly in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
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