Since last January this year, Cinta Baca in Aceh has begun to work again on the scholarship program for a new semester. For the first semester we selected and registered 54 students from poor families. Most of them live in villages. The process of selecting families, distributing the funds and visiting with the families several time a month is a time consuming effort but well worth it. The visits by the staff and our partners is mainly to monitor the students’ learning activities and develop good relationships in the community which is critical for any future expansion such as opening new posts, or developing partnerships with schools.

The scholarship program brings more benefit to the families than just the financial help. The money that we send them encourages the parents to provide the remaining need for their children with the school expenses. Some of the students would have quit school had they not received the scholarship. Besides the financial support, the students also get educational support through this program because as all students registered in the scholarship program are obliged to maintain good grades at school. If they fail on one subject they will not be allowed to register for the program in the following semester. The students are also encouraged to read more books and to write the story about their families or their schools. This writing lesson really helps them with their writing ability since their schools usually do not teach them how to write stories.

Doing Homework vs. Harvesting Oysters

My name is Sri Wahyuni. I’m a six grader at an Elementary school. I have two brothers and two sisters. My father does not have a certain job. Sometimes he helps people building houses and at other times he goes catching fish. My mother is a housewife.

I am very happy to receive the scholarship from Cinta Baca. If I were not given this fund, I would have to go to the beaches to look for oysters after school. I used to go to the beaches looking for oysters to help my parents earn some money. Now, I don’t need to go there anymore. After going home from school, I help my mother sell things in front of my house. Late in the afternoon I do my homework. I like to read story books. When I grow up I want to be a doctor.

When I received the scholarship last month, I spent it to buy a bag and a pair of shoes. After spending the money for a bag and a pair of shoes I still have a small amount left. Then, I saved it. I really hope that Cinta Baca will continue to help me with the scholarship next semester. That’s why I will study harder to have better grades at school. I thank you again so much for helping my schooling with this scholarship.