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Ayu and Sue flew to Mamuju in South Sulawesi for a Kang Guru Connection Club Final Get Together. It was along
way to go but well worth it - one of the best in fact! Ayu left Mamuju and continued onto Bone and Watampone
for teacher workshop activities for ELTIS and for KGI.
Here's Sue's Report first then Ayu's Report after that.
Ayu and I left Bali for Makassar quite early in the morning but we weren’t due to arrive in Mamuju till
late afternoon. We had to wait quite a long time in Makassar for our connecting flight. The wait was okay
though as Makassar has a fantastic new airport with a variety of shops and cafes to help pass the time. The
new design is similar to airports in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, very modern and very nice. However one problem
I find is that in all the cafes people are smoking so it’s difficult to enjoy a cup of tea in a smoke
free environment. I also noticed the areas where smokers should smoke has no ceiling or roof so all the smoke
is escaping into the rest of the airport!
The plane to Mamuju was small and the flight was a bit bumpy. However when we were coming down to land the
view was spectacular. Mamuju lies on the west coast of Sulawesi and the mountains start right behind the
town. There are very green, mountains and valleys - it was lovely to see. We had a surprise when the plane
landed as Kahar was waiting for us at the bottom of the airplane steps! How could he get so close to the
plane? Well even though he is still a student he is training to be an air traffic controller so works at
the airport. Mamuju is not so busy – just a couple of planes a day but he says he enjoys the work and
of course he gets to practice his English. Incidentally the man who sat next to Ayu on the flight form Bali
to Makassar was also an air traffic controller! I have only ever met 2 air traffic controllers and met both
on the same day!
We went by taxi to the hotel – about 25 kilometers from the airport. On the journey we passed through
local villages and mangroves as we were near the sea. At one stage there was a traffic jam – In Mamuju?
!! well it wasn’t really a traffic jam they are doing some major road building on a winding hill and
it is very, very muddy at the moment. We had to wait for about 15 minutes and spent the time chatting. The
hotel is right next to the sea, although in that part of town there is no beach. Ayu and I decided we would
like to eat first then we walked along the sea front to the Rumah Adat building about 500 meters from the
hotel. Visitors are a curious thing in Mamuju and while we were wandering around we must have had our photo
taken by 20 people! It was just like being a sinetron star!
At 8:00 pm we met the committee at the hotel and Kahar ordered a special drink for us –Sara’ba
- hot ginger with palm sugar, coconut milk and water. It was delicious. Then we all walked to a local restaurant
for dinner. We ate dinner and chatted and then were amazed to realize the time had got to 11:00! The restaurant
was about a kilometer from the hotel and the walk back was more slowly than the walk there! We made arrangements
to meet again at 8 the next morning. Ayu and I went to bed but some of the committee members went to check
the Get Together venue before they went home!
We went to the Get together by taxi – not so far from the hotel. What a huge crowd were there already – it
was fantastic. There were students from SMP, SMA, Universities and English Clubs. After a short opening greeting
from Kahar each group came to the stage and gave a performance in English. We listened to a couple of songs
and poems, yell yells, members introduced themselves and each other, we watched dramas and performances. It
was great. The students were enthusiastic and really tried hard to perform their best. Some teachers also
came to the stage and gave their opinions about Kang Guru. One of the teachers - Mr Alauddin from Polewoli
had traveled over 6 hours to be at the event with two cars full of students. Over lunch we listened to some
music from a suling bamboo band from a local school and watched traditional dancing from a professional music
troupe.
After lunch it was Kang Guru’s turn to supply the entertainment. We started off by asking the participants
to introduce themselves to at least 5 new people then get into teams. Each team was given a sheet of sticky
labels and they had 3 minutes to write as many parts of the body on the labels as they could think of. After
3 minutes each group had to choose a model to stick the stickers on. The winning team who had the most stickers
in the correct place had named 27 parts of the body –well done. Everyone had lots of fun and were so
enthusiastic it was great. Next Ayu played a game – she asked for 5 volunteers and got 50! That’s
how keen the students were to join in the fun! Everyone sang G’day G’day and then we had a Chinese
whisper Game – done in 7 lines with about 20 students in each line – again there where no shortage
of volunteers to play the games.
A KGI magazine quiz followed, which the students did in groups, had everyone working together in small groups
-many of them on the floor. The winners were very happy! To finish off the event Ayu got everyone up to dance!
Each group was invited to have their photo taken with the KGI staff and then it was time for everyone to
go home. We had gone overtime at the hall but no one complained. A great day was had by all. Ayu and I went
back to the hotel and after walked down to the food stalls near the sea for dinner. We met with Kahar and
Bur later and made the arrangements for Sunday.
I had just fallen asleep when my phone rang - it was 11:00. Merpati airlines had changed the time of the flight
the next day. Instead of one o clock in the afternoon the flight would be leaving at 9:00 in the morning.
Oh no ! - so Ayu and I phoned Kahar and changed the arrangements, contacted the taxi company and then tried
to get back to sleep. The next morning Kahara and Bur came to the hotel to accompany me to the airport. When
we arrived Kahar took my bag and ticket and arranged everything for me then we went for a coffee. Before
the plane arrived Khar introduced me to his colleague and we had a look inside the air traffic controllers
office – lucky me! I couln’t stay to land the plane though! The flight back was uneventful although
I did have to wait almost 6 hours in Makassar airport for my flight to Bali. It was comfortable though and
I sat reading most of the time. Then it was home – unpack my bag and time for bed – work again
in the morning!
Ayu's Travel Report
Sue and I arrived in Mamuju on Friday at 3 pm. As we got off the plane I saw someone taking a snapshot of
us coming out of the plane. It was Kahar. Besides teaching English, Kahar also works as a traffic controller
at Mamuju airport. After getting all our luggage we got into the taxi and went straight to town.
It took us 40 minutes to get to town by taxi. Along the way Kahar couldn’t stop talking. He was very
happy to see us. I got little bit dizzy because of the road - so windy and bumpy. After we arrived at the
hotel, we unpacked, had lunch and we took a walk and went to see some of Mamuju’s traditional houses
nearby. That evening we had dinner with all the committee members in town. Everyone was pleased to see us
and Kahar still couldn’t believe that he finally met Kang Guru team.
Day 1 – Final Club Get Together
The Mamuju Final Club Get Together was attended by approximately 150 students from different schools around
the area. Pak Allaudin came with 15 of his students from Pulowali which is five hours away from Mamuju. He
heard that Kang Guru team was coming to Mamuju he just didn’t want to miss the opportunity to meet
us. The event started at 9 am and it was held in the Takaseka University hall.
Sue and I really enjoyed the event from the very beginning to the end. First because all the participants
performed really well and the most importantly most of the performances were all in English. There were drama,
poetry reading, singing performance, ‘yell-yell’ performance, musical performance and games.
The most impressive performance were the bamboo flute musical performance by a group of SMP Students from
SMP 2 Mamuju. And I love the traditional dance which was performed by eight beautiful girls.
After lunch Sue and myself conducted some games with them. It wasn’t easy to do games that involve a
big crowd. Sue and I did ‘ The Longest Chinese Whisper’, the popular G’day G’day’ song,
Kang Guru magazine quizzes and we closed the event with a dance. They were all a quick learners and great
dancers!
We finished the event at 3 pm. The day was very hot and we were all exhausted. After everyone left we were
all just sitting in the hall together with the committee, relaxing.
Our event was finished for the day.
Day 2 - Teacher Workshop
Today is a big day for me because I’m going to give a workshop for some teachers in Mamuju. I was little
bit nervous. Sue had already left to the airport at 7 am and flew back to Bali. I was waiting for someone
from the workshop to pick me up. It was 8.45 and I was getting worried so I called Mr. Syaril, he said that
he was coming soon.
It was 9.15 and no one showed up, I was getting worried. I got so many boxes with me and there’s no
transport available except becak. At 9.30 Mr. Allaudin came to the hotel by motorbike, I was so relieved.
But I was surprised when he asked: “Ayu we are all waiting for you!”. I told him that I was waiting
for someone to pick me up. Well there had been a miss understanding, so I called a becak and put all the boxes
on the becak and I rode a motorbike with Mr Allaudin to the venue. Phew!
When I arrived I went straight to the building and sat down. Mr. Syaril was surprised to see coming on my
own, without Sue. I explained that Sue’s flight had been changed. Mr. Syaril was quite disappointed
that he couldn’t meet Sue that day.
It was the first workshop to be held for teachers in Mamuju. The workshop was attended by 50 teachers from
the area and it was also attended by Ibu Ijah from Enrekang Tanah Toraja and Ibu Ratna, the head of MGMP
in Makasar, and Pak Allaudin from Pulowali.
Day 3 – School visits
On the third day Kahar and the committee members were ready at 7.30 at the Hotel. Everyone look great that
day because everyone put on the 20th anniversary Kang Guru T-shirt on. The committee who came with me to
the school visit were Kahar , the leader of EECC and four of EECC members: Burhanuddin, Imran, Liun, and
Anti.
Our first visit was SMA 1 Mamuju. When we arrived I saw a big crowd on the school entrance gate and as I walked
in the principle mengalungkan sarong and the dance started. I saw a group of boys wearing traditional clothes
to welcome us. Three beautiful dancers from the school performed a 10 minute “welcome dance”.
After the performance we were led into the classroom to meet MAELO English club members. The students were
enthusiastic to see me. I made some quizzes about Kang Guru and I asked the drummer to play drums while I
did and introductory rap for the students. The students seemed to enjoy the game.
Unfortunately there were still three other schools to visit so we only stayed for one hour then we went rushed
into the car. Kahar had to stop students who were chatting and wanted their picture taken with me.
SMK Negri Rangas
The school is about thirty minutes from the town. When we arrived there the teachers were not ready so we
had to wait for a few minutes while waiting for the teachers to collect the students from different classes.
Once again we had to rush because we had to head to Kalukuk which was one hour away from where we were.
The road to Kalukuk was windy and rough. Imran and I felt dizzy. We decided to stop the car and bought some
fruit in the market and Imran moved to the front seat.
SMP 1 Kalukkuk
This was a school. It’s got wide yard. The teachers brought us to one of the classroom where hundreds
of SMP students were ready to see my self and the team. First I taught them “ Little Indian” song.
They were full of energy, they sang it very well and loud! Then I gave a “clapping” game, they
all participated very well. After meeting all the students in the classroom, the principle invited us to have
lunch in the teachers room together with other teachers. The food was delicious, we had fish, chicken and
beef…yummy.
After lunch one of the teachers begged me for a game so I did one English game with some of the teachers.
They were all happy especially for the winners. Before we said goodbye, the principle invited us to have a
special home-made dessert in his office.
It was 13.00 and very hot. I still got couple of hours before I left to Tanah Toraja. My bus was scheduled
to leave at 5 pm. So Kahar decided to take me to two different place. First is the beach and the Mamuju river.
On the way to the river Kahar took us to take a look close of the stage house in his village. We went to
one of his family’s house and see the real traditional Mamuju house. I just loved it! And I begged
Kahar to let us stay little bit longer in the house.
It was almost 4 pm and I had to go to the bus stop. I was surprised to see the bus-it was smaller than I thought
and very crowded and no AC. Not only it was full with people but also it was full with things that people
brought, rattan, fruit, vegetable, I don’t know what else were on it. Because there were no more space
left for my bags, they put all my luggage on top of the bus. I got the front seat, near the driver, but there
were lots of things underneath me and in front of me, so my legs just couldn’t move.
The saddest moment was saying goodbye for all my best companion in Mamuju - Kahar, Burhanuddin, Imran, Liun,
and Anty…..they were just great bunch of people!
Thank you so much for everything guys! You have made my stay enjoyable!
The trip from Mamuju to Tanah Toraja was predicted 9 hours but it became a 15 hour trip because the bus had
two flat tires and had to stop twice during the trip and had to stop 5 more time for coffee break….well
no wonder it became a 15 hour trip….but no one ever told me this. By the time I arrived in Tator.
All over my body was aching, I got sore leg, sore back, sore neck everything … so I went straight
to bed. What a trip!
Watampone
I arrived in Watampone at 3 am, it took us 7 hours from Tantor to Watampone. I couldn’t sleep during
the 7 hour trip because of the bumpy and sharp turn roads. On the first day I visited STAIN and met all the
ELTIS staff and I was invited to visit radio Suara Bone Beradat at 8 to do an interactive show. I met Pak
Imran, the manager of the radio as well as the announcer. The people responded really well on th Kang Guru
Talk Show and I had a few callers who were curious about Kang Guru some even came to SBB radio wanted to see
me.
Workhop with ELTIS.
The C-Celt 3 ELTIS group consists of 15 teachers from different SMP schools. I enjoyed teaching them not only
because they are active but also critical. At the end of the workshop I surprised them by giving them Kang
Guru SMP package. They went home with big smile!
Teacher workshop – STAIN Watampone
Pak Andi Yuri was the organizer for the workshop. He was little bit worry about how many teachers would attend
the Workshop on Saturday because it was the same day when they had to do the Civil Servant entry test. So
many teachers canceled to come to the workshop.
Up to Friday there were 59 teachers registered for the workshop but then on Saturday morning more teachers
registered so in total there were around 70 participants.
We didn’t start the event until 10.00 am although the invitation said 8.30. The workshop started with
a prayer, welcome speeches from the representative of DIKNAS and the Head of STAIN and of course the chief
of the committee Mr. Andi Yauri.
The workshop finished at 3 pm and just right after the workshop everyone rushed to my table and they were
ready to order the SMP package and asked for KG contact number.
At 3.30 pm I was getting ready to meet the STAIN students. Unfortunately only 10 students came to the meeting
because of the heavy rain. But we did our activity anyway.
We had a few games and quizzes and finished at 5.30 pm.
After everyone finished praying Pak Andi took me and all the committee members to have dinner at the most
popular place in Bone –the floating restaurant.
The dinner was delicious, we had some crabs, fish and squid. At the end I thanked all the committee members
for their hard work for the day. The committee member consisted of two staff who also work at STAIN and two
students. Although there were only 5 in the committee but they did a very good job and the event was such
a success.
Thanks to Pak Andi Yauri, Pak Muchtar, Pak Ega and Ramatani.
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