Hope in Every Stroke.

Article was part of "Kati Hati Sumenep" Newsletter for Ngee Ann Polytechnic Youth Expedition Programme (YEP) Indonesia, in collaboration HAND International.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic students painting a mural for local school Juruan Daya, Indonesia. Photo: Joel Yap

On March 6th 2018, we arrived at the school of Juruan Daya II in a small village of Sumenep on Madura Island, Indonesia. We were greeted graciously by the rambunctious students of the school, their infectious energy surging through the sandy field right outside the class doors. Upon entering the classrooms, it was difficult to ignore the dark staleness that lingered on the punctured walls, magnified by the juxtaposition to the smiling children peering through the dust coated windows. It was hard to imagine that anyone could resist being disheartened while studying within these walls.

We conducted an interview with the principal, Mr Rafi’i S.Pdi, and a teacher from the school, Mr Slamet S.Pd, to learn more about the history of the school and understand its struggles. They told us about the humble beginnings of the school where pioneer students had to cross a neck-deep river and walk 3 kilometres to a dingy cowshed, which they eventually sold to raise funds and build the school we know of today. While picturing the scene in our minds and comparing it to the reality around us, we were struck by just how unbelievably far the school has progressed and found respect and admiration for the staff and students. But despite the painstaking journey they had endured, there is still potential for so much more to be done.

They then proceeded to explain the reason why the school has not been refurbished at all since it first started 15 years ago; despite multiple attempts in seeking help, they were all futile as schools with less than a 100 students were not applicable for government aid - a solution attainable, but out of reach. On top of this, volunteer help was also inconsistent and scarce. As the principal recounted this, the sadness on his face was blatant but it quickly turned radiant with gratitude and excitement about the change we were bringing to the classrooms, addressing us as “less of friends and more of a treasured part of their community”. Despite the praise, the mood in the room was heavy and it was no argument that we all felt the same – they deserve the luxury of basic necessities and we were determined to do our best to make that happen.

School principal, Mr Rafi’i S.Pdi (left), and teacher, Mr Slamet S.Pd (right). Photo: Ann Catherine Teo

Next, starting the daunting long process of cleaning and patching up the classrooms. As polytechnic students who are conditioned with tight deadlines, we are used to having a vague idea of finished products when beginning on our projects. But this time it was different; with the innocent gazes and hopeful murmurs of the students at the edge of the doors and the words of the interview still swimming in our minds, the end goal had never been clearer. In the beginning we were unsure and nervous but the intimidation had been chased out by the burning desire to accomplish the task set before us to the best of our abilities.

After the groundwork had been laid, we started on the creative process, eager to breathe life back into the pale concrete surfaces. Our first mural design is a simple underwater scene; we chose this as since the school is on an island and we felt that it was a fun play on and relatable to the school’s location. Our second design is of a childlike depiction of a garden setting which was chosen as we wanted to emphasise the youthfulness of a primary school. Both murals were painted in vibrant colours to reflect the untainted and purely concentrated joy of the children that we had the privilege of appreciating first hand.

Upon completion of the murals and repainted classrooms walls on 9th March 2018, we presented the fruits of our labour to the teachers and students of Juruan Daya II with a mixture of uncertainty and pride, bodies tense with the impending judgement ahead of us. To our relief, we were heavily rewarded by a symphonic echo of cheers, giggles and smiles so bright that made our paintings dull in comparison. Mr Slamet commented that the previous state of the classrooms had a tendency to sap his energy and lower his morale while teaching but the reinvigorated classrooms had also reignited his passion and made him look forward to teaching again. With all that, as we stood at the sides of the classrooms, we were suddenly able to see something that wasn’t quite as obvious as before – hope.

Ngee Ann Poly students and Juruan Daya students pose a picture infront of completed mural. Photo: Ann Catherine Teo

We left with sweat drenched shirts, paint-stained hands and our hearts so full accompanied by an undeniable sense of achievement. But as the waving children in the car mirror grew smaller, our minds were heavy with the uncertain future in store for the school. We hope that the school will not only remain just a beloved bittersweet memory for all of us, and instead that it will continue to grow and blossom under the care of passionate staff and with hopefully more volunteer aid to come. In all, we hope we were able to create a more conducive learning environment for the children, finally providing a well-deserved classroom that could match their vibrant spirits.

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