SALAM School

CLOSING THE GAP: INDONESIAN CONTEMPORARY ART Supporting SALAM

MiFA. Level 1, 278 Collins St, Melbourne, 3000. t. 9663 3304 w. www.mifa.com.au

MiFA in Jogjakarta: Jogjakarta is located in the Jogjakarta Special Region of Indonesia and is nestled in the shadow of the smoking Mount Merapi. Historically the home of Javanese arts and culture Jogjakarta is internationally renowned for its batik, music, poetry, puppetry and recently its contemporary art.

MiFA is working closely with artists in and around Jogjakarta for the exhibition Closing the Gap: Contemporary Indonesian Art and we have been welcomed into the Jogjakarta community. As such we feel indebted to their hospitality and hope to nurture and encourage their next generation. Through local contacts we were introduced to SALAM school which provides an alternative learning environment for special needs children and those from a disadvantaged background. The school has strong ties with the local artistic community. It is basic, lacking in supplies but run on love. The children are all happy and extremely well cared for by outstanding volunteer teachers. For MiFA it was obvious that we needed to give back to the community that has welcomed us as their own.

SALAM School MiFA. Level 1, 278 Collins St, Melbourne, 3000. t. 9663 3304 w. www.mifa.com.au

The School: Sanggar Anak Alam (SALAM) was founded in 2000

by Bu Wahya and friends to be a playgroup. They wanted to offer an affordable playgroup where children had more room to play and explore as an alternative to the regimentation of playgroups based on rote learning. As an extension of Wahya’s house the playgroup was facilitated by Bu Wahya and by the parents of the children. Once the children neared kindergarten age SALAM developed a kindergarten program and then a few years later a primary program which sees the school now supporting 125 children in 2011.

The needs of the children are varied with many from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special needs.

They continue to be supported and educated through the dedication of twenty volunteers. Whist Wahya remains the main facilitator the school is extremely community focused with parents, teachers and even local farmers playing an important role.

The school’s curriculum is based around four Learning Pillars: environment, art/culture, heath and food. The children work with the local grass roots art community and perform in both theatre and music as well as developing an organic self-sufficient vegetable garden on site. It is a dynamic, interactive space where the children are nurtured and encouraged.

SALAM is officially recognised and registered with the National Education Department of Indonesia as an Alternative School. As an Alternative School it does not attract government funding and relies on minimal school fees, donations and fundraising. The main fundraising is through the sale of organic products that are produced at the school such as organic vegetables and hand made soap. The school is actively seeking to be self-sufficient but is only just making ends meet with teachers still donating their time and working with few resources.

A classroom at SALAM

MiFA. Level 1, 278 Collins St, Melbourne, 3000. t. 9663 3304 w. www.mifa.com.au

How We Can Help: A little can go a long way. The wish list that SALAM has put together reads like the basic foundation of any school in Australia. Books and art materials are needed just as is a bamboo sick bay. However, SALAM is particularly interested in being a selfsustaining organization so equipment such as a sewing machine and a screen printer will enable the school to fund its own future.

School Yard - Outdoor play area. The school is current split between buildings with little concrete paths weaving through fields connecting the classrooms. We would like to rent an adjacent rice field to convert to a play area and construct a shade so the kids have an outside area. $565 a year - A bamboo sick bay. The school needs a bed and a table and a little private space to tend for children who are sick. $565 - A small bamboo teachers room and bathroom – a place to plan and take a breath. $900 - Parking area for motorbikes. $340 - Storage Cupboard for materials and supplies. $620

The current playground

Technology - Internet access. With a few computers that have been donated the internet will become a key teaching and learning tool once connected. $1000 - CD/DVD Player $80 - Projector $2500 - LCD Screen $300 - Video Camera $400 - External hard drives $200

The pathway between school buildings.

MiFA. Level 1, 278 Collins St, Melbourne, 3000. t. 9663 3304 w. www.mifa.com.au

Supplies -

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Sports Equipment. Soccer Balls, softball gear, basketball ring, hoolahoops, skipping ropes etc. $800 Musical Instruments. The school currently has a few drums but basic musical items such as recorders are missing. $1200 Books, games and puzzles. Currently there is a mini library but it is extremely limited. $2000 A sewing machine. $400 Arts and craft materials. The school currently has only watercolours and pastels. $800 Screen printing equipment. This can help with developing other environmentally friendly products such as cards and calendars that can be sold for fundraising. $1200 Science equipment. Scales, microscope and materials to make a small solar oven. The school has no scientific supplies to speak of. $1200 Theatre props and costumes. $1000

MiFA. Level 1, 278 Collins St, Melbourne, 3000. t. 9663 3304 w. www.mifa.com.au