AN experience of a lifetime is how St Catherine’s Catholic College language teachers Catherine Duffey and Ms Kim Hann, have described their Indonesian visit.
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The pair traveled to Indonesia to visit with their BRIDGE partner school, MTS PSA Ta’Allumul Huda. This visit was made possible by scholarships that were granted to the teachers from the Asia Education Foundation.
Catherine and Kim were met in the city of Yogyakarta by their BRIDGE partner school teachers Hendi and Yovi, who were hosted in Singleton in May 2012.
Together they made the long journey back to the remote mountaintop village that is located in a spectacularly beautiful area of Central Java.
Upon their arrival they received an overwhelming reception.
Both ladies said it was a very moving experience that involved the whole village of Ganggawang, as well as religious, local and regional officials.
“We were followed by the marching band and greeted along the way by the people of Ganggawang.
“ Outside the school, not only did all students line up to greet us, but there was a welcome banner displayed.”
After this a formal assembly was held, where a series of welcome speeches were given.
Kim responded, delivering a message from St Catherine’s college principal, Brian Lacey, on behalf of the Saint Catherine’s Catholic College School Community - in Indonesian of course.
Another highlight for Catherine and Kim was having the opportunity visit and learn about the many cottage industries in the village and in neighbouring villages, including basket-weaving, crafting batik and the production of a range of traditional snack foods.
They said they especially enjoyed being a part of a traditional harvest thanksgiving ceremony, visiting the traditional markets and sampling what was on offer.
The day before leaving Jakarta, the teachers and teachers from their Indonesian BRIDGE Partner School enjoyed a day trip to panjandra Beach in the Regency of Ciamis, West Java.
They watched the sun rise over the Java Sea, enjoyed walking through the panjandra National Park to see long-tailed macaques, deer and peacocks, as well as visiting a limestone cave, that was also a sacred Hindu site.
Although Catherine and Kym were sad they had to leave the many new friends they had made while in the village both ladies agreed the trip was a success.
They will always remember the smiles, happiness and laughter of the community they became a part of, if only for a very brief period.
Other memories, such as the sustainable lifestyles the villages lead, the impressive array of successful cottage industries, the genuine warmth, kindness and hospitality of the entire community and the spectacular views of beautiful villages, lush rice fields, virgin rainforest and old growth pine forests, will stay with them forever.
The Australian teachers look forward to continuing work on the BRIDGE Project with their Indonesian counterparts and have made some exciting new plans as a result of this trip.