In the winter issue of our Newsletter we were very happy to be able to announce that the amount we received from a number of generous sponsors for a new wheelchair for Odi, a thirteen year old girl in the village who suffers from a severe form of cerebral palsy, was more than sufficient. In the meantime twice Odi travelled to Bandung to have a new wheelchair fitted for her and it was ready by the end of March. Our fieldworker Titi transported the wheelchair to the village herself in a rented car.

Odi's first visit to Bandung at the end of February to have the measurements taken for a new wheelchair,

At the end of March Odi returned to Bandung to see if the wheelchair was properly fitted, and to have final adjustments made. You can see Odi in her new wheelchair among 'her' team in the second photo. On the left is Ibu Lydia, the occupational therapist, who did all the measurements for the new wheelchair, on the right Ibu Titi, our fieldworker, with the rehabilitation doctor and Odi's mother in between. Odi is extremely happy with her new wheelchair, and it will hopefully suit her for at least the coming three years. It will need a check up every six months.

Good news also from the Maria Peters Scholarship - ten new sponsors will support this very special fund. Two talented pupils will be able to continue the second phase of their secondary school education in the coming school year.

The scholarship is an extension of our SaS project, which supports pupils from the village to go to junior high school (SMP). The Maria Peters Scholarship makes it possible for talented and motivated students to complete their education by going to a senior high school (SMA) or following a vocational education (SMK).

The costs for senior high school or vocational school are much higher than the costs for junior high school, because the government asks a school fee for the second phase of secondary schooling. This means that the total costs for three years are € 1650
(€ 550 per year per pupil), compared to € 450 for three years of junior high school (there is no school fee for SMP). Understandably, senior high school is a heavy burden for parents, and support for these students is highly appreciated.

The scholarship was founded in memory of Maria Peters, one of the first supporters of Java Village, who sadly passed away in 2016. In honour of her, her family took the initiative, together with Java Village, to establish this special grant for excellent students. On our website you can find additional information about this scholarship and how you can support it. Please click here.

The schools are still closed and lessons are given on line because of the restrictions imposed by the government to curb the pandemic caused by the Corona virus. Our SaS students are doing relatively well, but they are looking forward to being able to go to school again. They miss school and the physical lessons, which are more effective and stimulating. Students are thrown back on themselves and often mothers and/or fathers cannot help because they are themselves poorly educated. The Learning Centre in the village is very helpful and organises specific computer training sessions every month. Hopefully, schools can reopen at the end of May after Idul Fitri, which marks the end of Ramadan, the traditional Islamic fasting month. However, it is more likely that schools will not be able to reopen before July. Once the schools are open again and the pupils can return to school, the real impact of the lock down can be measured.

Please do not forget our Sponsor a Student project. This ongoing project supports young pupils to continue their education after primary school. The village doesn't have a secondary school and many families cannot afford the cost of going to a school outside the village. The Sponsor a Student project helps these families. Since the beginning of the project in 2008 Java Village has already helped 120 pupils to go to a junior high school. You can support a student by donating € 12,50 per month or € 150 per year. Please go to our website for additional information and how you can become a SaS sponsor.

Shop online at your favourite stores via DoelShop.nl (in the Netherlands) or at ShopDonation (in the UK) and they will donate a percentage to Java Village! This is an easy way to support us, without any extra costs for you, making your online shopping even more enjoyable.
For details of how to shop and donate, please go to our website or use the links above.

Up-to-date news about Java Village is posted on our Facebook page. Visit it to find the latest information, photos of our projects and more that is happening in Java Village and the village of Cisarua.