New School Empowers, Inspires Destitute Village Kids

JAKARTA, Indonesia-- Poor and uncshooled children in Indonesia are receiving a free education thanks to CBN.

Not only are the kids learning to read and write, they're also being taught godly values.

Rini was in eighth grade when she stopped going to school. Her parents did not have the money to pay for her education.

Other children residing in this poor community near Jakarta had a similar experience. Unschooled, they lived life without purpose.

CBN social workers in Indonesia responded by establishing a school that gives free education to children like Rini and her friends.

"At first I was not really interested in studying. I was lazy and rebellious. But my father ordered me to go back to school," one student admitted. "And now I like coming to this school because aside from the regular subjects, I enjoy learning different skills."

At the CBN school the students are taught how to make designs on the batik, which is the material used to make traditional clothes. It's a skill taught to the students to empower them and to help them earn a living.

Kindergarten students learn values by watching Superbook.

"Ninety-five percent of the students are Muslims. We don't teach them about religion but we teach them Christian values. We teach them about Issa and what he did on the cross. We challenge them if they want to accept Jesus. If they say yes we pray. If they don't want to, we still pray for them," Bobby, the school's supervisor, explained.

The parents are happy with their children's development.

"His behavior has improved. He can now be friends with everybody. He tells me, 'Mom, we watched Superbook. There's this good guy, Issa Almasih. He can heal, He can make people see,'" one mother, Maria, said of her son.

Maria was inspired by her son's words. Though a Muslim, she asked the workers to pray that a lump in her breast would disappear.

"I am very happy that they can pray for my healing. Prayer is an expression of love. Thank you for your help and encouragement," Maria said.

The school is helping to transform the hearts and minds of the students.

"I am very satisfied with how they are helping my daughter. Before she did not help me but now her behavior is changed," Rini's mother said. "I am very happy that she is able to continue her studies because all her older siblings did not even reach high school."

"I came from nothing and now I can learn about anything. I also learned how to dream... to become a doctor someday. Thank you too for teaching me about Jesus because right now I know him well," Rini said.

And with the right foundation, the future of these young people now looks very promising.