Developments
In the past years, lots of developments took place for and by Sjaki-Tari-Us. Below you find an elaboration on these developments.
The beginning
Before the start of the projects, in 2005 and 2006, research was conducted on the possibilities and needs of Bali and what resources were already presence on Bali. Special needs education was already present for children from seven years. But this special needs education can not be compared to the Dutch standards.
The children are being teached in classes of six to seven children. All lessons are given in class. There is no counselling by specialised doctors, speech therapists, physiotherapists and ergo therapists. They also didn’t use supporting communication methods like pictures, picto’s and sign language. There is almost no specialised playing and learning material. Children are sitting in their classes and write all day. For children under seven years with a mental disability there is no possibility of receiving education. Therefore their development is hardly stimulated at all.
The development of the projects
The first project Foundation Sjaki-Tari-Us initiated, is the start of a play-learn class for children from 0-7 years old and their parents. In Selat (northern Bali), the mayor and director proposed to build a classroom next to the regular preschool. The foundation accepted this offer as being a unique opportunity to counsel these children in the closeness of the regular preschool education and integrate our children with the school children. On October 14, 2006 the first three volunteers started in this classroom.
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Since January 2007 the foundation started a play-learn class in Ubud, in the living room of the volunteers. Soon after that, we entered a different classroom in the neighbourhood.
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In May 2007 two Balinese teachers could be hired for both locations. In the beginning of 2008 a second teacher could be hired for both locations for the play-learn classes. At the moment, approximately 30 children are visiting our play-learn classes. Ten children are moved up to special needs pre-school education.
Teach the teacher programme
Next to the play-learn classes, we could also start the ‘teach the teacher programme’. In this programme is being elaborated on the normal development of a child, the Down Syndrome, Autism, Epilepsy, total communication, the use of development material and all sorts of practical hints on how to counsel the children and their parents. The teachers of the play-learn classes are being counselled and educated to become professional teachers for special education for children till seven years. The purpose of this programme is to hand over all tasks to the Balinese and let the play-learn classes run without volunteers.
We also contacted the special needs school in Gianyar (nearby Ubud) and Singaraja (nearby Selat) to share our knowledge there as well. It seems to be difficult to organise workshops and courses there because of the lack of time and teachers there, but we keep on trying to do our bit over there as well. At this moment one volunteers attends the school for one day every week to support the teachers and to share knowledge and experience.
In 2007 there were two cars bought for the foundation. Because of transport problems, a lot of children were not able to attend the play-learn classes. Now, the children and their parents can be picked up and dropped at home. Six children who were moving up to a special needs pre-school were bound to home because of this transportation problem. Therefore the transportation service is extended to these children as well (the parents contribute a little to fuel costs).
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At the moment, a research is conducted on the possibilities and needs for a day activity centre for young adults. Where do the children go when they finish the special pre-school? What activities are there now for these young adults left? What are the needs of these young adults? What can Sjaki-Tari-Us offer them? What can these young adults offer the foundation? These are all questions which the foundation is currently evaluating. A new and challenging project!
At the same time we already start a teenager group ones a week, with creative activities. Already six young adults attend these group. They are very enthusiastic.
The location
In October 2007 an offer was made to us for a big building in the centre of Ubud. This is a perfect location with lots of possibilities.
In the north of Bali we also work on new possibilities. We hope to open a new third location in Singaraja. Singaraja is a medium sized city and is located more central than Selat. We would like to help more children in that city. The moving up to the special needs school is easier there. Good reasons to open a new location in Singaraja as well.
