0 Education, key to pull children out of poverty

Despite the much-hyped growth in tourism along the coast of Amed in Karangasem regency, well known for its underwater scenery, poverty remains the main problem for villagers. “About 80 percent of the villagers here are poor. There are plenty of them,” said head of Lean hamlet, I Nyoman Nitantara, one of the hamlets of Bunutan and Purwakerti villages on the Amed coast. Most of the villagers still depend on fishing and farming for their income. Only a few have ventured into tourism. The Lean hamlet alone has 350 families. 

The three hamlets of Lean, Amed and Tulamben, which have gained fame and popularity for their underwater landscapes, are located on the border of Karangasem and Buleleng regencies. “They still have a poor level of education and skills,” said Nitantara, adding that the few who have some skills have been recruited to work at villas and hotels in the area. “Most of the owners are foreigners with Balinese partners,” he added. Nitantara regrets that his villagers are mere spectators to the growing tourism in the area. 

“Education is the key to reduce our poverty, yet, so many of the children are dropping out of schools,” he said. At the hamlet, the Yayasan ANAK foundation has opened a branch to support the education of children. The Lila Citta building, owned by the foundation, stands in the middle of the fishermen’s kampung. Numerous children’s drawings and dozens of Christmas greetings cards, are hung on the walls inside of building, which is the center for computers, dance and English after-school classes. 

“Our main work is to scholarships to poor students and prevent them from dropping out from school,” said I Made Sulatra, the foundation’s coordinator in Amed for the past three years. He admits he is one of the school dropouts. He did not even finish elementary school. There are currently more than 60 children registered at Lila Citta as students. The available scholarships, of between Rp 30,000 (US$3.11) to Rp 200,000 per month are provided for students from elementary school to university. 

Four teachers work at Lila Citta. They come from Karangasem and Buleleng. “Our donors are mostly foreigners who care for the children here,” said Sulatra. Yayasan ANAK, which was founded in 2003 by volunteers from Indonesia, France, Spain and Switzerland, has its main office at Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud. One of Lean’s fishermen, I Ketut Putu, said that the sea had never been able to provide steady income for him and family — everything depends on the weather. 

The fishermen must also deliver their catches to the processing center in Klungkung regency, which means high transportation expenses. Putu said there was no choice for the adults, but the children still had the chance of a better future. “That’s why our children must have skills other than fishing. I don’t want my children to grow up like me,” said Putu in hopeful tone.

source : bali daily