KGI recently conducted the second in a series of specially designed teacher workshops in Bogor for AIBEP teachers of English. After the workshops it was time to see two of the schools so on Thursday afternoon after the workshop finished KGI accompanied workshop participant, Ibu Utari to her school in Kampung Kencana. MT's PSA Nurul Huda Kencana. The journey took less than 45 minutes and the roads got narrower and narrower as we climbed the hill. Near the school the students were lining the path, waving , cheering and clapping. Some of them were wearing recently made hats and necklaces made from sweets. First of all we had a tour of the school and met the head of the Yayasan, KH Ahmad Firdaus, the principal, H Abdul Gomi, and some of the 12 teachers from the school. The school was very clean and tidy and the students were obviously very proud of it. Many members of the community were also there. They are just as interested in their new school and its activities too. After meeting with the school principal and some of the other teachers Kevin and I went to the classroom where all the students were waiting. They sang for us and then after introducing ourselves we informed the students about Kang Guru. As they were MTS students we especially told them all about about the Joeys of course.

Next it was the students turn to ask us questions. They were very brave –and asked us questions such as what is our favourite food, how old are we, where do we come from etc. It was fun and the students had great English. Then Kevin played a game - the students had to count how many times he clapped his hands or stamped his foot and then shout the answer using English. It made us all concentrate very hard! One more English game and then it was time for us to go. All of the students received some KGI stickers and we left some KGI souvenirs with Ibu Utari to give to the students as prizes in English competitions and quizzes. Before we left the school we had some very tasty homemade snacks such as tahu and tempe, sinkong and Karedok (delicious) and took photos with the students, the teachers and members of the local community who had come to see who the visitors were. We signed the Visitors' Book then headed back to Bogor. Well done students and teachers from MTS PSA Nurul Huda Kencana an AIBEP school in Bogor, West Java.

The next day we were picked up at 8:00 and driven to AIBEP school MT's Ma'arif Sabilul Hudaa by teacher M Didin Hafizuddin and his brother.

We approached the school down a small lane. It was fantastic – the route was lined with students waving Indonesian and Australian flags, villagers and curious warung owners. As we neared the end of the steep path I got down from the car and was warmly welcomed by the principal, Ust. Romli, H Saroni, Head of the Yayasan, and some teachers. I was also presented with two scout body guards and an umbrella bearer! I felt like a VIP! Dancers escorted my entrance to the school and we were presented with perfumed flower necklaces. What a welcome! The school is built on the side of a hill so sitting on the terrace of the school we could watch all the activities presented to us in the playground below. There was traditional dancing, drumming and singing called Ma'arwis.

Then came a surprise as not only the Indonesian National Anthem but the Australian national anthem was played too.

All the students then moved into a classroom in the school. Everyone was there, from the tiny TK and SD students, right up to the SMK students. Kevin and I repeated the activities we had done the day before and had a great response. All the students received stickers and were very happy.

Before we left Kevin and I were escorted further down the hill where a surprise picnic was waiting for us. There was red and white rice, ikan lele from the schools own ponds, sayur asem, tempe, singkong, jengkol and ikan teri – what a feast! The school makes full use of the land and has 8 fish ponds for ikan lele, there are ducks and hens and next year they are hoping to build a swimming pool! The school presented us with a souvenir of a homemade box containing 13 duck eggs! KGI is very lucky! After inspecting the ducks and fishponds it was time for us to make our way back up the hill and back to Bogor. It had been a wonderful morning. Thank you very much M Didin Hafizuddin for allowing us to be the first foreigners to visit your school. I liked the positive attitude of all the staff and students at this AIBEP school in Bogor - it had a great feel about it!

Kang Guru Indonesia AIBEP Bogor video