Being lucky enough to live in Jakarta for the last 14 months, I have been privileged to see and experience many different aspects of life in Indonesia. I have been doubly fortunate in that I have not had to work during this time, allowing me the opportunity to try and make a small difference to some people who are very dear to the hearts of the Australian Embassy here in Jakarta.

The Australian Embassy is a generous supporter of the charity Yayasan Kampung Kids. This is a group that provides early childhood education to some of the poorest members of the Jakarta community.

I first met Julia, the co-ordinator of Yayasan Kampung Kids at an Embassy function, earlier this year. On that day Julia received an Australia Day Award from the Ambassador for the work she has been doing at Yayasan Kampung Kids.

Julia is one of the most modest and unassuming people you would ever wish to meet. Keen to recruit another possible volunteer, she was very quick to put me in touch with other Australians that do volunteer work at Yayasan Kampung Kids. I wasn't going to commit, I was just going for a "look".

Yayasan Kampung Kids is not the type of place where you just visit for a look. Personally, I was hooked from the moment I saw the children. Keen, eager and loving children, excited by the opportunity to do things that I take for granted back in Australia.

I have no teaching background (apart from raising my own children) and was terrified that I would not be able to communicate with the children. Although I was born in Indonesia I have spent most of my life in Australia and I wasn't confident that my Bahasa Indonesia would be good enough. My fears were misplaced. Who needs to talk when you have puzzles, crayons, glue, scissors, paper and music!

Myself and two Aussie friends are now running two classes each Friday. I can't explain how wonderful it is to work with these pre-school aged children, and to see the joy they have on their faces when they sing songs, play games and of course do some learning. It makes it so rewarding.

We all know that life in Jakarta can be tough. Life can be especially tough for kids without an education. Their prospects are limited and they can be destined for a life of poverty. The children at Yayasan Kampung Kids know that for one hour each week, they can come to play group and have some fun while learning. While they may not know it, the learning they do at play group is helping them prepare for school.

There are still a large number of kids on the waiting list to attend play group at Yayasan Kampung Kids. The simple reality is that the more volunteers that come forward from the ex-pat community, the more kids will get an opportunity to have some fun for one hour a week. So, if you are looking for a wonderful experience and a fantastic way to give back to the country that gives us so much while we are here, helping to run a play group may be the perfect solution!

Yayasan Kampung Kids needs people just like you.

If you want more information about volunteering at
Yayasan Kampung Kids you can contact Julia on 719 4787 or if you would like to speak to me about running a play group, Julia can provide you with my phone number.

by Mrs. Emilia Atmanagara