School Starts Year Three
When he first arrived at the IFC/Hohidiai clinic Viktor was seven months old and weighed only seven pounds. Malnourished, sick, and near death, he fussed and cried constantly. His two other siblings had died of malnourishment, and he, too, was struggling to live. Little by little, Viktor recovered from his sickness and now, at 8 years old is doing very well. He is a normal little boy full of energy. He is loved, accepted and is now thriving. He is a leader and has his own following of friends.
When the IFC/Hohidiai School opened two years ago, Viktor became one of the first pupils in the pre-school. Having lived his life under our care he is fluent in English which gives him a boost for education. Recently he has seen some breakthrough in his schooling. Viktor has been applying himself to schoolwork this last year. He even stays after school to attend the after school reading and homework program. Viktor is an example of our work: abandoned and struggling to live, he became a part of the family. Through love and nurture, he now has a bright future.
We are interested in all of the 53 children that are in our care. We want them to be loved and safe but also receive a good education.
Three little girls, Esther (10), Feron(6), and Holly(3), were recently brought to the base by their mother and then abandoned. Their father had left them years before. Heartbroken to be left by their mother, Hohidiai is providing them with a loving place to live. Holly is in a pre-school program, and Esther and Feron are attending Hohidiai School. They love the school. Esther has a goal of becoming a doctor. We are going to stand with her and support her with this very high and challenging goal. These beautiful little girls need our prayers and support.
There are 43 children in our school at this time. It is the only school in this region that is taught in English for a half day and Indonesian the second half of the day. The IFC/Hohidiai School is accredited through a distance education program from the State of Victoria, Australia. This is a unique school where students are taught at a high academic level in two languages. We want them to learn English and preserve their amazing culture. It is pure joy to be involved in this work; these throwaways will become the best educated leaders in their generation.
The future of the school looks bright. The school has been given a waiver by the Department of Education to have the school in the office facilities at our medical base. They want the school to have its own land and facilities. Currently there are four classes—pre-school, kindergarten, first grade and second grade. This next year third grade will be added as the children grow and complete their grade level. Hendra Pontomudis is the founder and principal of the IFC/Hohidiai School and is doing an excellent job guiding the school. The land has been purchased for the school, and the exciting next step is to get the plans for the facilities, find partners who will invest in the future of this dream, and build the facilities. The phase one cost of the school construction will be $300,000, and the completion of the elementary school will be $500,000.
This was a very big challenge and will continue to stretch our energies and resources. The hope of transforming the futures of the children that have come into our care is a worthwhile goal. Many of these are unwanted children who will become the best educated in their generation. There is no school that is like ours in the region. These children will be given a first class education that will include fluency in two languages while respecting the culture and language of their people. These unwanted throwaways will become leaders in their generation. We have to plant the seeds and watch the mighty trees grow. It will be worth the investment to know that leaders who walk in integrity and excellence will come from this small band of the unwanted. Imagine — that a child who was left at the clinic because the parents could not care for them, or a child born to a prostitute, or a child so sick they were given up on, or one found in the garbage dump — could someday lead this region. It makes it worth the challenge.
Recently, the head of the regional Department of Education was invited to the school to witness the progress of the children and examine the education model. He was warmly received and impressed with the academic skills and dedication of the staff. Hendra Pontomudis and his staff are gaining lots of positive recognition for their hard work, and it is visible in smiles and accomplishments of every child.
Thank all of you who have joined us in this life-changing effort. We need your prayers and support. It is a tall mountain to climb. We hope to begin construction this year. Land has been purchased near the city of Tobelo. The school will open to the tuition paying students once we have built the first phase of the school. The paying students will cover the cost of operation of the school.
Here are the current needs:
- Teachers (primary)
- Classroom assistants
- School Resources – books for all primary age readers
- Teacher’s Resources – teaching guides
- Children’s games
- Funds for the phase one construction of the school – $300,000 Classroom Module
Thank you for all the help over the last two years of the school. It has been a wonderful blessing to see many join us in changing the lives of our children. It is an investment for a lifetime.