Support a Charity Pre-school
Provide a full year of education for 80 kids and employment for 5 dedicated teachers, by funding their beloved school.
Anastasia energises her class with an action game.
To discuss supporting this project contact Johanna on +61 474 977 140 or jo@justpeoples.org
Batam Island is a hub for people from all around Indonesia who migrate there looking for work in the many factories. To accommodate the new people, informal squatter settlements (slums) are established in the poorest areas, with one located on top of a rubbish dump. Without strong community networks that provide a layer of protection, children are at high risk of being trafficked into forced labour or prostitution.
Many local children living in these makeshift settlements, whose families can’t afford school fees, spend their days collecting and selling rubbish with their parents in order to support the family. Without education, they have few options to build a life out of poverty.
To meet this urgent need, five charity preschools have been established in various slum communities to offer the children an education and stop them falling through the cracks. Students learn basic reading, writing and maths, as well as music, art and social skills. They are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to participate and thrive in the public primary school system and have the chance to break the cycle of poverty. All the teachers are trained and hired from within the local community, providing a rare opportunity for quality, stable employment.
A beautiful and unintended effect of the schools is they have brought community members together. Education became a focal point for families to get to know each other, have a shared purpose, and eventually form deep connections - this also greatly improves the safety for children. Outside school hours the building is used as a community centre where teenagers can study, and consultants run workshops on HIV/AIDs and trafficking prevention, and other important social issues.
Supporting this project will cover the running costs for a preschool in the Kampung Air slum, employing 5 incredible teachers and giving 80 kids free, quality education that every child deserves.
All teachers come from the squatter settlements themselves and receive ongoing teacher training.
Michaela became top of her class when she entered public primary school after attending Kampung Air preschool.
Kids dress up for graduation day and other special events which bring the whole community together.
Meet Rahayu
the incredible woman ensuring these kids receive a quality education
Rahayu has dedicated her life to supporting vulnerable Indonesian children living on Batam Island. She has set up five preschools in slum communities to ensure the kids have the best start to life and go on to have the chance to break the cycle of poverty. Rahayu’s vision is for every Indonesian child to have access to quality education and the opportunity to lead a safe and fulfilling life. Learn more