Project AnaKawan

Today I joined my very good friend, Keri, and a wonderful group of women to Batam for Project AnaKawan.  Keri’s church, IBC, sponsors this home in Indonesia for orphans, or for children who do not get care at their own homes.  

I was not sure what I was expecting.  I think I was envisioning a dreadfully sad and cold orphanage lined with cribs of pitiful crying babies.  This is not at all what I found.

This "children’s home" is actually a “house” in a relatively nice neighborhood.  It is owned by Pastor Willy and his wife Ibu.  In the world’s most populous Muslim nation, this couple has carved out a Christian niche and are caring for up to 30 children who would otherwise live out their childhood without the love and nurturing provided to most children by their familes.  

Our group from Singapore

The "scene" on our drive from the ferry to the home

Arriving at the children's home

These children are simply amazing.  They are happy.  They are warm.  They are playful.  They are full of laughter.  They are gracious.  They are disciplined.  They are respectul.  They strive to do their very best.  They are loved.  But what struck me the most is that they are full of JOY.  They are a band of unfortunate children who have been adopted into a very large family.  They are all brothers and sisters.  They own nothing, and yet, they sing and dance as if they owned the world.

They were enthralled with our cameras...they snapped and snapped hundreds of pictures of us and each other!

Our mission while we were there was to teach them English.  Keri and I teamed up and taught them a handful of verbs.  They learned the words cry, dance, laugh, drink, walk, run, sit and there was a lot of laughter as Keri and I were animatedly acting out our words.  

Learning to write the words

Keri demonstrating "cook"

Jenny and Monica had one of the most fun jobs...teaching them body parts and then singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."

Okto acting out "sleep."

Little Niko demonstrating "cry."

The kids really wanted to learn.  They demonstrated all of the traits that I mentioned above.

But then what really get them going was when we played games and sang and danced.  They were amazing.  I use that word a lot...but there is not a better word to describe what I saw and felt as I spent a day with these children.  The LOVED to sing and dance...just as any child anywhere would.  They obviously do not have the luxury of TV, video games, iPods...their “play” is singing and dancing.  And they laughed and laughed and laughed.

Pastor Willy has just returned from Singapore after having heart surgery.  The joy he has placed in the hearts of these children through his instruction of the Christian faith is equally matched by the nurturing of his wife Ibu.  She is having medical ailments herself, but, have no doubt, she runs the show from her seat on the stage.  Those children are disciplined and they all contribute to the running of a tight ship.  There is never a harsh word spoken and yet, her shoes are switched the moment she sits down by one of the children.  The children cook, clean and the older children assist the younger ones with whatever they need.  A real worry is what will happen to these children as Willy and Ibu age.

The view down the street from the children's home

The boys room

Eating a lunch before going to school

The kitchen

The "running" water

This age goes to school in the afternoon only

Ibu

This poor little girl had the chicken pox...she was miserable and there is no "Children's motrin" on hand here.   But Ibu spoon fed an entire plate of food into that child's mouth and was not going to let her not eat no matter how badly she felt.

I had mentally been preparing myself for this trip because I fully expected to leave there crying and scripting how I was going to convince Mike that we need to adopt one of the poor little babies I came across.  Happily, I left instead knowing the children are happy, loved and well provided for.  I can continue to help simply by showing up and letting them know that they are cared for and are worthwhile.  We provide a day of excitement and celebration.  They look forward to it.  They are worth it.

Keri and I with Niko...a very energetic and "normal"little 5 year old

A birthday celebration is thrown for the children each month

Our October and November birthday boys & girls

A big smooch for Ibu!

"You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

~Ruth Smeltzer