Find out all about our
project Kids of Asahan and
get involved
We are a small initiative located on the island of Gili Asahan in South-West Lomboks secret Gili Archipelago, in Indonesia. Join us in our efforts to cultivate and advance the education program and school facilities of Gili Asahans public school, and other future collective community projects, through the newly founded NGO: Kids of Asahan Est. 2018 . Due to its remote location the school and instructors suffered serious neglect over the years since it was founded, leaving the kids of the 36 inhabitant families of Gili Asahan with very poor educational conditions. It was the kids thirst for knowledge and consistently smiling faces that inspired us to start Kids of Asahan; A program intended to sustain and improve the school by providing better teacher salary, and more teachers for the various age groups, as well as simple necessities such as school books, pens and recreational equipment in the short term plans and to improve the structure of the buildings as one of our long term goals.
OUR GOALS
SCHOOL EDUCATION
Through this project we hope to continue to be able to provide better quality and more consistent education to the children on Gili Asahan and supporting their further studies on the mainland. Giving them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and be eligible for better chances of success in their future education and/or career.
ENVIORMENTAL EDUCATION
We believe its important to create environmental consciousness in the new generations and incorporate this into the school curriculum and in after school activities for the children. With this awareness we hope to awaken a sense of responsibility and curiosity in the kids, they are after all the future keepers of the planet.
HEALTH
We aim to provide the necessary health-care to those in need with a direct fast response. This can range from doctors appointments, medications, emotional support and more. Due to the rural nature of the island and the low-income economy health-care is a luxury, we would like to overcome this and make it available for everyone.
ENSURE KIDS CONTINUE SECONDARY EDUCATION
Previously the kids on Gili Asahan did not continue onto Junior High School due to insufficient funds or to work to help provide for their families. We offer the new generations the opportunity to continue their higher studies, to encourage them to have and reach their personal goals and ambitions.
Teach creativity
We create opportunity for the kids to explore their imagination and creativity through simple art workshops and classes which also help them to improve their fine motor skills and to learn while having fun through play based learning principles.
Teach English
Due to the rapid growth of Tourism in Lombok speaking English has become a popular demand. Learning this second language will give the kids more opportunity to find employment in the future and more freedom to communicate with the foreign kids and visitors who come to the island and exchange thoughts and ideas.
WIDEN HORIZONS
With this program we hope to expand the cultural and world awareness of the children by exposing them to all the diversity and beauty of the world and teaching them more about it. We do this through documentaries, workshops, Q&A's with guests and foreign children traveling to Gili Asahan and other fun activities. The aim is to show the kids there is a whole world to discover beyond the shores of Asahan and with a little hard work and heart, it is their for the taking! We also wish to give the children the confidence and skills to share about their own beautiful roots and culture with travellers with a sense of belonging and pride because its also a beautiful part of this diverse earth.
DISCOVER TALENTS
We create the opportunity for the kids to explore different interests and find out what their natural talents and passions are, and help them to nurture and expand these interests into life tools. Some children like music, art, dancing, others like reading, studying, teaching and others still like sports, fishing or gardening. Through this program we cultivate their unique natural interests and give them the skills and confidence to create opportunities in their life that are aligned with their passions.
STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SKILLS
Through organised social interactions with piers of same and different age groups, adults and the elderly we help the children to expand and reinforce their social skills within context. We hope to help them develop their own views and opinions while learning to help and respect each other and consider others as well. We strive to create a space for balanced positive interaction where the kids can naturally develop these skills within their personal life context, without excessive external influences, by strengthening their instinctive awareness and curiosity.
“Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to
change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
“Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to
change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
WHAT WE DO
See some of our regulars and occasional activities
To find out more about the activities check the news page
BEACH CLEANUPS
We arrange weekly beach cleanups, especially in the rainy season because that’s the time that most plastic gets washed from the mainland in the sea by flooding rivers and ends up on the beaches.
RENOVATION OF THE SCHOOL
We have exchanged most of the roof as it was leaking and one classroom couldn’t be used in the rainy season
In the long run we would prefer to rebuild the school as the structure is 33 years old and we are concerned about health and safety
MOVIE NIGHTS
Every Saturday night it’s movie night.
Most movies are in English wish Indonesian subtitles.
Share your favourite kids movies with us
PAY FOR TEACHERS SALARY & TRANSPORTATION
We pay 2 teachers salaries as well as their transportation to the island
SCHOOL MATERIALS
Provide books and pens for the school, white board, tables and benches, a book shelf…
People visiting Gili Asahan often bring school materials with them to donate
ARTS AND CRAFTS AND OTHER FREE TIME ACTIVITIES
Thanks to donations we get a lot of stuff to get creative. Keep updated on our NEWS section to see what we get up to!
The kids like to make drawings, read, play educational games…..
PAY FOR TEACHERS SALARY & TRANSPORTATION
We pay 2 teachers salaries as well as their transportation to the island
RENOVATION OF THE SCHOOL
We have exchanged most of the roof as it was leaking and one classroom couldn’t be used in the rainy season
In the long run we would prefer to rebuild the school as the structure is 33 years old and we are concerned about health and safety
ARTS AND CRAFTS AND OTHER FREE TIME ACTIVITIES
Thanks to donations we get a lot of stuff to get creative. Keep updated on our NEWS section to see what we get up to!
The kids like to make drawings, read, play educational games…..
ENGLISH CLASSES
English lessona are twice a week and sponsored by a wonderful couple who visited the island
The kids grow in confidence and enjoy speaking with tourists and visitors and native speaking volunteers
SUPPORT KIDS THAT GO TO SCHOOL ON THE MAINLAND
Up until Summer 2020 we have been giving a monthly support to 3 children who continue school on the mainland
From now on, we will be able to:
– support 4 kids who continue on the boarding school in Mataram (Madrasah Tsanawiyah Alam Sayang Ibu)
– support 6 kids who will go to a boarding school close by
MEDECINE SUPPLIES
We mostly help to treat skin diseases with the help of a dermatologist in Bali sending him pictures and getting medical advice. Unfortunately health problems have increased in recent months and medicine is so important to the village. Usually the injuries are very minor but without any treatement can unnecessarily become a painful and reoccurring health issue.
ENGLISH CLASSES
English lessona are twice a week and sponsored by a wonderful couple who visited the island
The kids grow in confidence and enjoy speaking with tourists and visitors and native speaking volunteers
SUPPORT KIDS THAT GO TO SCHOOL ON THE MAINLAND
Up until Summer 2020 we have been giving a monthly support to 3 children who continue school on the mainland
From now on, we will be able to:
– support 4 kids who continue on the boarding school in Mataram (Madrasah Tsanawiyah Alam Sayang Ibu)
– support 6 kids who will go to a boarding school close by
MEDECINE SUPPLIES
We mostly help to treat skin diseases with the help of a dermatologist in Bali sending him pictures and getting medical advice. Unfortunately health problems have increased in recent months and medicine is so important to the village. Usually the injuries are very minor but without any treatement can unnecessarily become a painful and reoccurring health issue.
FUTURE GOALS and DREAMS
We still have many goals and dreams to being able to improve the project and create opportunities for a better future for the kids
LIBARY & GAMES ROOM
Kids Of Asahan spend more time in nature than most children around the world. However, as our world is changing the children have started to spend more time on phones watching
videos.
We would like to provide a place where they can go in the afternoon/evening to play games and read. This also provides a safe enviroment for them to go to when they need.
Some kids love to read, some like music, some love to make puzzles! We would like to provide options for all interests in the future and maybe even musical instruments.
ACCOMMODATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
Often Indonesian university students and other volunteers come to volunteer and teach the kids. Maybe in the future also volunteers from abroad could visit.
We need a room for them to stay during that time.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING
The current building was built in 1987
Structure is rusted and we are concerned about the security
We need at least 3 classrooms to provide an Education for all grades and ages
A teachers room
A play & library room
Storage for sports and cleaning equipment
Functioning toilets
teacher/+ volunteer accommodation
A room for Kinder garden
FIND SPONSORS FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Every year there will be more and more kids finishing school on the island (6th grade) and hope to go onto further studies. We are concerned we wont be able to support them beyond 6th grade and we dream to find some sponsors to help students and build personal relationships with the children and visit them if they wish to do so.
KINDERGARDEN
Kids that don’t go to school yet often join their older siblings at school for lessons.
We hope to build a kindergarden room where they can play, sing and learn together.
ELECTRICITY
There is still no electricity on Gili Asahan. Families have small solar panels to have some light in the night
To be able to provide water for the bathroom we need electricity for a pump
The sun goes down at 6:30PM so it would be great if we could still provide light for those who like to read or play
In the future we hope to be able to provide laptops and a place to charge laptops also
LAPTOPS
Secondary schools start to require laptops
Being able to use a laptop will give the children unlimited access to knowledge through the internet
Internet access will give the kids better work opportunities later on
SUPPORT KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
We didn’t have the knowledge and possibilities to properly support Rosi but dream to do so in the future with the help of specialists
Rosi is already 13 years old but still following the children of the 3rd grade
Life is hard for him as the other kids don’t always treat him very well
He needs proper attention and somebody that supports him in his growth
BIG THANK YOU TO OUR MAIN SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
Thank you for helping us to make it happen!
Special thank you to the Kelas Inspirasi Lombok! They were the first coming to Gili Asahan providing education to the children on a volunteer base. Only with their help we were able to get the project started and running.
