Day 2 in SMP 1 Wangi Wangi and then beachside for sports - Kevin's Report

On Wednesday the 19th of January I went to SMP 1 Wangi Wangi to meet with the AIYEPs. It was one of their many cross-cultural presentations to schools whilst here in Indonesia. The Indonesian group presented many such shows while they stayed in Australia – in Roma Queensland and in Brisbane last October/December.

It was a very hot day and yet AYEPs and local students were ready for a big day. The first activity was when the AIYEPs went into classrooms to meet students face to face. Students asked questions and during the 45 minute meeting learnt a lot about Australia and also about Indonesia. Danis is an AIYEP and his hometown is Yogyakarta. I interviewed Danis late in 2010 and it was terrific to see him in action with Aussie counterpart Robert Sutton, from Sydney. Danis and Roberts poke almost solely in bahasa Indonesia and the students really appreciated that. Their questions came slowly but included queries about life in Australian schools and food in Australia. There was even a little bit of English from the students.

The second activity was a series of cultural presentations by both students at the school and the AIYEPs. Songs and dance from both countries plus local performances provided entertainment and cross-cultural education for the hundreds of students and local authorities who gathered at SMP 1.

Later in the afternoon it was sport time beachside for many of the participants and about one hundred of the local teenagers. Sports included Aussie Rules Football, skip-the-rope, cricket and an Indonesian form of baseball.

The day started at SMP 1 Wanci Wanci	AIYEPs began sorting out their day of chats and performances
Danis and Rob meeting students in Kelas 1, SMP 1 Wanci Wanci	A KGI badge and November 2010 bulletin for all students - great news!
The classic group photo - fun for all involved	Time for AIYEPs to perform for the students
Aussie Bush music and Bush Dancing	Time for afternoon sport beachside

Health – students were entertained while learning about dental health and washing hands. There were role plays and songs helping students to understand the importance of good teeth cleaning habits and the correct way to wash hands. Children received a toothbrush and toothpaste to practise with.

Environment – children learnt about rubbish and the importance of not just throwing away rubbish, especially plastic. Using rubbish bins was emphasized and general care of the environment explained.

Sports – games included a form of Aussie rules with hand-balling skills taught, tunnel ball and running. Active was the key word.

In the mid-afternoon AIYEPs conducted a regular English language club at SMA 1 Wangi Wangi. They have been visiting this school for several days and the students are really excited ever time they visit. On the day KGI visited the langauge club the students were learning about debating skills and making speeches. These older students in this established club are keen on English and all have plans to have careers that involve the English language. Kevin interviewd two SMA-aged students at the club and you can hear La Ode Nur Dewi Adriyanti and La Ode Thorig Hidyat on KGI radio soon.

Later in the day the male AIYEPs met with a local football team for a match. The AIYEPs have been working (and playing) together with the members of the team since their arrival in the area One of the tangible signs of this cooperation are the uniforms worn by the local team. Members were asked what they needed in order to make their team more viable and one of the main needs was a uniform. Having a uniform enables the team to join the local league and become a real team. It was obvious just how proud they were with their new bight green uniforms. The football match attracted a hundred or so spectators and the atmosphere was not unlike a local footy match in a small Australian country town. It wasn’t Aussie Rules though. The local team won 3 -0.

In early February the AIYEPs move onto Kendari for the city phase of their visit to Sulawesi and finally back to Jakarta for an official function hosted by the Australian Ambassador, Mr. Greg Moriarty. The AIYEPs say goodbye to each other on February 20th when they all return home.