The Opera Populaire

The church I have been attending here organised this volunteer work for this school under a flyover for street kids. The "school" is simply what you can see in these picts, just a large mat where ppl can sit down and have simple lessons. The teachers, who were volunteers from another large church with branches all over Jakarta, brought their own small blackboards or simply papers to teach the children. As for us, all we did was to bring some stuff that the church people donated for them. E.g. school bags, stationaries and snacks. Just a short visit but felt glad that we could give something to them, however small.

Indonesia is facing a crisis in terms of education. The funding on education is actually lower than Cambodia's. Already in the streets, many children such as these are running around begging at traffic junctions. Think these volunteer work is especially meaningful in the light of the problem.

In Jakarta, some homeless people actually lived underneath these flyovers. In other areas, rudimentary houses made from cardboard boxes or thin woods littered beneath the flyovers. Think some time ago, clashes occured between these squatters and the district government who wanted to evict them.

The children waiting in gleeful expectations for their presents.
A class in session. The children and teachers sat in small circles for different levels.
One of the boys. Found him very cute; liked his innocent expression.
A view from below. These gals came over with friendly smiles to introduce themselves to us and thank us.