KGI ‘s trip to Karanganyar in Central Java to conduct a half day activity at MAN Karanganaar

Ogi and Kevin traveled to Karanganyar on August 10 th to present certificates and prizes to the Winners of one of the 2 Runners Up prizes in KGI’s March bulletin writing competition. The destination was MAN Karanganyar and the winning teacher, BUDI WIDYO KUNCORO, S.Pd. and 2 of his wonderful students Nur Annisa and Nur Isnaini Wulan Agustin. School Principal, H. M. Malzum Adnan, S.Pd., MM welcomed KGI to the school and many thanks for hi skind words. We arrived at the school at around 2pm and were immediately welcomed by the Principal, , and his staff and of course Pak Budi. Everything was set up for an afternoon of games, quizzes and lots of fun. Ayu had helped us prepare the activities for the event so it was sort of easy for Ogi and I to run the activities. Unfortunately Pak Suryadi, one of KGI’s Champions (from Madura) was unable to join us cos his flight from Surabaya was delayed. Maybe next time Suryadi?

The afternoon of activities commenced with presentation of certificates for Pak Budi and his two winning students. The school itself was quite a pleasant surprise with beautiful grounds, gardens - everything nice and clean and well organized. The most noticeable thing was that all students and teachers seemed really happy and at ease with other - lots of genuine smiles and laughter.

Activities and games included a KGI Music Quiz, a Bulletin Search and a Poster puzzle. These activities meant that the six groups of 10 students each had to read and then search for the answers to the questions given to them. It was mild chaos but everyone had a great time and everyone seemed to have real fun doing it all.

One of the highlights were performances (Yell Yell) presented by all 6 groups – well done! One group, all boys, did a terrific dance routine too and it was unusual cos usually it is girls who do this sort of performance – great job guys! Very professional.

FOKUS MTs SA (Satu Atap) AIBEP

On Friday afternoon Ogi, Kevin and Suryadi met with representatives of FOKUS MTs SA (Satu Atap) AIBEP. The group was made up of D R. M. Munir, MA, KH. Saepul Rohman, SH, Zaki Al Buchory (MTs Al Hidayah), A. Muhaliq and Zamroni.

FOKUS is an association representing 504 MTs SA (satu atap) schools built by AIBEP across 9 provinces in Indonesia - South Sumatra, Lampung, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, NTB, South Sulawesi, South Kalimantan. FOKUS was keen to discuss with KGI new connections/links/support from other institutions/projects for the continued development of the FOKUS group and its members. They really wanted to know what support KGI could provide to them. Initial discussions resulted in a plan to provide a one-day Kang Guru Indonesia workshop with 2 instructors (native and Indonesian) in the area of FOKUS’s choice. KGI will provide material, certificates, a spanduk and promotional items thanks to the continuing support of AUSTRALIAN AID. FOKUS is very happy about the decision to have a KGI workshop in October in Jawa Tengah involving 54 of their member schools. FOKUS will invite the English teachers, provide the venue (in a school), snacks and lunch. They will also contact media for promotion. FOKUS would like to have this first workshop as a high profile activity and will invite AusAID plus representatives from MORA. After the meeting KGI gave an SMP and SMA package to FOKUS.

And each of FOKUS team received souvenir from KGI (a puring bag with t-shirt, zipper, bulletins, various sticker, keyring, postcards. And then the whole group buka puasa bersama in the Ciputra Mall - great fun and lots of laughs. KGI is really looking forward to this activity and hopefully more next year too.