Kang GURU Stories - Factual Stories and Personal Reports

Read this collection of English language stories from Kang GURU readers and listeners in Indonesia — factual stories and personal reports. There is sure to be one to suit you — the clever English language student in Indonesia.

Send your stories or poems to Kang GURU and we will be happy to print them for you on this site for the world to read. Two hundred words is enough, okay?

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Thanks KGRE

Dear Kangguru,

Thank GOD for his blessing upon us for we are able to get in touch through this short letter. I would like to say thank you very much for the topic of Kang Guru magazine issued last September 2006-Transportation.

Last Ramadhan at the tenth day, We-I my self, my husband and both children planned to spent our Lebaran Day in husband's hometown in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. We traveled by airplane first from Moses Kilangin Timika Airport to Ngurh Rai Denpasar Airport. It took three hours and fifteen minutes. Second, we took the private car my brother in law's, to Gilimanuk Harbour. Hence of sitting too long in the car, I asked my husband about how long we should be like that situation. He answered that we would get off on a ferry.

It was surprising me for I had never seen what it was truly like. All this time being, I just saw a ferry on pages of magazines and screens of cinemas, but here I was able to see by my own self. That moment was so fantastic!

All of a sudden, I tried the information that Kang Guru magazine stated on the world around us page 10 in September 2006. We were in a long queue then passing the narrow bridge. Wow! The car was the last to move on to Ketapang Harbour.

I read Kang Guru magazine about the information consequently I had known that a ferry from Bali (Gilimanuk) to Java (Ketapang) or in return were crowded and long queue. Thank you Kang Guru magazine if hadn't read you, I ought to have been getting stuck for this atmosphere.

That was the reason I told you how helpful the Kang Guru magazine was.

Yours ever,
Yuliawati Madu

Thanks AUSAID

I am a new reader Kang guru magazine. I would like to introduce my self. I am Agus Khoirul Anam. I am a Nurse and Nursing Teacher. I work in Blitar Nursing Academy Program. I want to say thank you very much to KGRE in Indonesia and to AusAID. I usually read KGRE,s magazine because I get all information in English. Beside that I glad to hear KGRE's program in radioPersada FM, Blitar. Really it is interesting program in KGRE's. So I try to make English study club in Blitar. Finally forgive me I have made mistake in my sentence. I hope send me Kang Guru magazine.

Agus Khoirul Anam
Poltekkes Malang
Prodi Keprawatan Blitar
Jl. Dr. Soetomo No. 46 Blitar

AIYEP : One Step Ahead

Wulan Fauzanna

My name is Wulan Fauzanna. My experiences in AIYEP (Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program) have given many opportunities for me to get more experiences in life and lead my future career. I joint AIYEP in 2000/1 represented West Sumatra, my Home town. I passed the test held by the National Department of Education West Sumatra. My first step in AIYEP was the training given in Cibubur, Jakarta. I and other 17 youth from other Provinces in Indonesia prepared our cultural performance and also our physical and knowledge about Politic and Culture understanding.

During my stay in Australia, I stayed in Brisbane and Towoomba. Each places for one month .Me and the group visited the Major, Universities and schools. In every place we visited, we did Cultural Performance and Courtesy call. We performed dances and songs from many places in Indonesia. And we had work placement in the field we are interested in. I had work placement in TAFE Mt. Graffat Brisbane, working in Hospitality and Tourism industry and Australian English College Toowoomba. We had great time during our stayed in Australia. Especially, during the home stay in the Australian family. I found that Australian family is so warm and friendly. It gives me many inspirations and lessons about life, family and culture.

My experiences in Australia has inspired me to share with people in Padang, when I got back home, I was invited by the Radio to share my experiences in Australia and I also joint some organizations voluntarily to promote Exchange Program.

My work experiences in Australia also gave me opportunities to find part time job in Padang. I started teaching English in one of the biggest English course in Padang, at the same time; I still continue my study in English Department Andalas University. After I graduated, I also passed the test to be the lecturer in English Department Andalas University. Andalas University opened Australian Studies Center just after I worked there, so I joint and participate in Australian Studies Center activities in Andalas University. Australian Studies Center Andalas University has joint the link of Australian Studies Center in Indonesia. I also join the team teaching Australian studies in my Department besides teaching other subjects . And finally, I am also awarded Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) 2005 for Master Degree. I realize, my participation in AIYEP has given big contribution in my life and lead my future career.

At the time I joint AIYEP 5 years ago, I never think that AIYEP will change my life and give many opportunities in my life and my future career. But now, I realize what I have done and got are parts of my participation in AIYEP which has changed my ways of thinking. Now, I live in Padang and work in Andalas University and preparing my self for my training in IALF Jakarta on August and leave for Australia Next year for my Master degree.

School Days

Meiria
Semawung Purworejo RT 01 RW 02
Purworejo, Jawa Tengah

When I got my third grade of senior high school in my town, Purworejo, I took literacy department. I used to have a lot of great and fun times in each day. I had many friends and great teachers. My class was a happy class. I never found someone crying or getting sad. But everyday always smiled and laughed. I also had many jokes teachers. One thing that made me sad was when I had to say good-bye to my friends. It was hard for me to have done together. I think those enough of me.

My special greetings to my special English teacher and French teacher. Thanks for your advises and kindness, I will always remember you. To my choir teacher, Mr. Mesach (sorry I don't know his exact name), you're a Goodman. I've never found a man like you, ha … ha … I like having joke and that with you. Thanks a lot, joking is never had enough time for us, and for all my classmates. I love you all, thanks for everything, I will miss you guys!!!

Zainah — a tsunami survivor

When the earth rotate, no body knows what will be happen tomorrow, and cannot be predicted in which land that we die and how. I do not know is it proper to tell everybody about my story and experience. Here, I write this as weak girl and Tsunami survival either. Tsunami … is not really a disaster but reminder.

I thank to Allah that given me a chance to live again and it proved that nothing on earth everlasting.

Feeling sad is must be occurred to everyone when they know whom they love … the people around them … were lost and died, included me, moreover when I know that my big star, my Mommy is a victim. No body knows how they were that time. Sad, lonely, give up and pain … that's I felt. At that time, I strongly wanted to stop my study and help my family. In my confusing and disappointing, a miracle came into my life, that Oxfam. It happened suddenly and never crossed in my mind to help my people in another area and leave my survivals family. I began a new sheet of my life. I started my adventure in Oxfam on early February 2005, I know this is the first time for me to work as a social worker, moreover around foreigners, I was never dreamt before. I really enjoy my first job as receptionist in a big NGO like Oxfam. During those days, I met different people from different LNGOS throughout the world. Coordination meeting is what I always wait to include the people I met into my new friends list. After a week, the got me move to a much destructed area in Aceh, Lamno and Calang. I never visit those area, and I do not know how the people there before and after the traumatic they had when tsunami. However, I planted a strong will in my hearth, I can if I try.

I spent a bored days during my jobs as a translator, I found a bored boss either. The pressure days I passed by, again how to adapt with this uncertain condition. As result, I have to change my mind and love my job as my responsibility. Two months is not a short time to know more about characters of people among us. No England, no America, Holland, Russia, Belgium, and Australia are same as us. They have a same humanity sense and different culture instead.

What, I will never bore to remember is about my Mamma Marguerite, a strong and wonderful women from Australia. She inspired me to be a good translator, a spirit she borrowed to me, motives me to be more diligent, active and no more shy to launch even a word.

After two months in Lamno, my boss trusted me to follow him for opening a sub office in another area, Calang. A traumatic welcomed me in Calang, God, its really a terrible area I ever seen and visited after tsunami. An isolated area rounded by seaside and mountain. I supposed no people alive … I am wrong, even a view survivals. The day I was passing is hard and need an extra patient to exist here as the only one permanent staff there at that time. As a leader for Community Development, my new position is not like what I imagined before. Since that, I know that there is a very priceless knowledge I got, a community language. How to face them when they were angry, sad, lonely, feeling discriminate, painful, disappointing, impatient, and many more that ca not be mentioned, just could be feel.

Thanks God, over 20-an villages is not small duty, and Ahamdulillah my struggle is not useless. Spending a month and half in Calang I come back to Lamno, my first never land. Again, my position changed, a secretary and then Admin are a position that I hate very much. Even I know that I can learn much beside my skill in the field. In addition, the latest position I got is as I do now, Accountability Officer. Make the entire programs go well, reach the target and properly as the community intended.

However, in every challenge there must be end. I had to stop, and continue my study instead. I want to paint happiness on my mother face when I succeed to reach my first degree. She is might be passed but her struggle and sacrifice is never end.

With Oxfam, is my way to reach my dream and change my mind to be a positive and optimised person. Moreover, what is humanity? Thank you Oxfam and Mr. Kevin my first spirit after tsunami.

Sambiloto

Leli Erma Suryani
Jl. Panjaitan 95
Lumajang, Jawa Timur 67312

There are many herbal flora in Indonesia. Traditional medicine prepared the ingredients from the special plants that growth in the wild area that we never imagine before.

In my home village, I found a special plant has many advantages for us. We call it ‘sambiloto’ (Andrographis Paniculata Ness), family of Acanthaceae. It was an original tropipcal plant. It growth as weeds, any easy to find it on the field bund, the edge of the road, or other ‘wild’ areas, including the yard of my house. Dark green leaves could be distinctive feature beside the little or white flower above.

Sambiloto can be used as antiseptic for us. I rubbed that leaves on m skin to cure my itches. It's also good as a mouthwash, by soaks into the clean and warm water first. You may swallow it if you stand the bitter one. Even, if you've got the fever, the ‘andrographolide’ inside will makes your temperature going better.

Beside antiseptic and antipiretic effects, the most important of Sambiloto advantage is to against the malaria. We need a handful of fresh leaves, clean it and boil with 3 glasses of water. We have waiting till a half of it, and filtering it on. You may add some honeys to neutralize the taste, and drink it regularly to cure the diseases.

It was the one of special plants in my environment. There are many other which has empirical recipes that we don't know about. Perhaps, when the chemical formulas can't cure the diseases anymore, it will be our time to go back to the nature, like our for father ever do thousands years ago. So, we must keep it as the part of germ plasmas in the world.

Pegagan

Swasti Prawidya M.
Jl. Ikan Gurami 15 B, RT 06 RW 06
Malang, Jawa Timur 65142

Pegagan is a wild plant that grows short on the ground. It can be used for traditional medicine. It can make our memory became stronger. Not many people know the purpose of Pegagan, even in my area.

We can find Pegagan near the rice fields, around the house, and any other places. It is usually grows together with grass or bushes. You can easily find this plant although it grows on a grassy land because of its shape. Yes, its leaves' shape is unusual. It is rather round and looks like heart's shape.

We can consume it by chew it, drink the boiling Pegagan water, or add Pegagan into other traditional medicine (‘jamu’). It tastes a small bit bitter if you eat it. But if you drink its boiling water or make it as a jamu, its flavor will not affect too much.

Until now, not many people consume it. I think it is caused by the difficulty to find Pegagan. Of course, you can't find Pegagan in the city. You only can find it around the fields or grassy land. Maybe Pegagan does not have many purposes. However, it's better than consume chemical medicine, isn't it?

Mahkota Dewa (Gods' Crown)

Ana
PBI Unnes, Sekaran Gunung Pati
50229 - Semarang

The name of this plant is wonderful, that is Mahkota Dewa of Gods' crown. But do not assume that the shape of the fruit is red little round like a tomato and the content is white smooth fibrous cream.

Indonesia just has two seasons, rainy season and dry season. Fortunately this plant fruits all year long. The height of this plant is about 1,5 m and can produce tens fruits. And do you know that the fruits usually ripe together. So it looks so beautiful and elegant although the green leaves and the red fruits compete in a plant.

Red is related with blood. Well, actually this fruit is believed can increase the degree of blood in our body. It's useful for low-blood pressure human. We can consume these fruits by drinking it. Of course, we have to make Mahkota Dewa's juice first. Do not forget to add sugar when you make juice because this fruit is bitter in taste.

So, do you want to be healthy? Try it now!

Kumis Kucing/Cat's Whiskers
(Orthosiphon Stamineus Benth)

Mamik Slamet Asrori
Sukowiyono 01/3, Karangrejo
Tulungagung, Jawa Timur 66253

Indonesia has a lot of plants that are used for health and medicine. But sometimes we never think and we never know that they have many advantages for us. Tragically, we sometimes underestimate a small wild grass in our environment. For example, ‘Kumis Kucing’ (Cat's Whiskers).

‘Kumis Kucing’ (Cat's Whiskers) is an herbal plant from tropics Asia. Maybe you think that the name sounds funny, but that's true. It's called ‘Kumis Kucing’ (Cat's Whiskers) because it has long stames and shoot out from different side, just like Cat's Whiskers.

In Indonesia, this flower grows wild along the affluent or gutter, in the shelter place and on the wetland. The unique flowers grow on upright stems and it has white or pale violet color. This flower only grows no more than 2 meters tall.

Behind the beauty of ‘Kumis Kucing’ (Cat's Whiskers), there are a lot of advantages inside. This herb has sweet taste but a little bit bitter. We can use it to cure hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stone in the kidney, bladder ache and it can be used as antiphlogistic (‘anti radang’) or as anti bacteria. It's easy to make the recipe. Just take 30-60 grams dry hearb or 120 grams wet herb, and boil it with a glass of water. After it becomes ½ glass, filter it and drink twice a day regularly. ‘Kumis Kucing’ (Cat's Whiskers) can be drunk like tea.

Beluntas

Enis Faizah, S.Pd
Jl. AR. Saleh VII No.17
Nganjuk 64415, Jawa Timur

Beluntas are one of clump plants, which grow in everywhere. In general, people grow it only for planting the empty field in our house. These plants are always considered ‘wild plants’ by a few people. We can easily see it as ‘life fence’ in their house. But, in fact beluntas are good for our health.

These plants are included Asteraceae family. They have the characteristic itself. A little leaf with short stem, oval from with the top become pointed, upright grow with many branches. The color leaves are bright green. The heigh of plants are 1 to 2 m. If the leaf is kneaded, it will appear ‘unpleasant taste’ (‘langu dan getir : Indonesia’). From here, they have antiseptic substances of chemistry substances, i.e alcalin, clasium, aluminium, asitirin oil, etc. For consuming, we can eat it directly as ‘lalapan: Indonesia’ or to be cooked as‘sayur’ (vegetables dish).

We can also boil it for drinking everyday. This plants can be used for healing diseases i.e: to lose smell body, fever, mentruation, reumatic, pektei (‘keputihan: Indonesia’), etc.

In fact, beluntas can grow easily in everywhere. Because we don't need special land for its breeding. We just cut a lip the old stem to grow it.

The Hidden and Interesting Places in Central Sulawesi

The Province of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia is a relatively unknown tourist destination, yet it offers some beautiful attractions. You can trek in Lore Lindu National Park, enjoying the hundreds of megalithic statues spread over 3 remote valleys - Bada, Besoa, and Napu; visit the Maleo breeding ground at Sausu and Peore, or sail to the Togean Island where 56 small islands invite you to share the mystery and importance of exotic coral reefs, magroves and rainforest habitat. Besides, there are 12 ethnic groups originating from Central Sulawesi, and all have differences in tradition, called adat.

Palu

The province's capital town lies in the beautiful Palu Valley on both sides of the Palu river. The town contains a range of hotel, shops, souvenirs shops, bank, internet services, and other entertainment facilities. The Roviga Hill, above the golf course 5 kilometers from town, is a good spot to watch the sunset. The Souraja at Lere Village is a former king's Palace, built in the traditional Kaili style. In the Kaili language Souraja meansa large house, the dwelling of Magau, or nobility. The interior is decorated with wooden carvings of Arabic Calligraphy. About 12 kilometers from Palu is Bora Hot Springs; other hot springs are located at Mantikole, where there is a hot water swimming pool, fine in the early morning or late afternoon.

Lore Lindu National Park

The island of Sulawesi has remained physically isolated for approximately 25 to 40 million years, resulting in high levels of species endemicity; 27 percent of the 328 bird species are found only on this island. Lore Lindu National Park lies at the junction of four long peninsulas, and its 217.000 hectares of forest is an important biological refuge.

Donggala Regency Donggala lies about 34 kilometers from Palu to the north-west. Places of interest include Tanjung Karang Resort, the Pusentasi (salt-water pool) at Towale Village and Tirta Bahari beach in Boneoge. The town is an old trading center and it still has traditional Dutch style architecture. Hand-woven silk Sarongs can be found at Towale, between Palu and Donggala.

Lake Poso

The Poso area has many special and unique places to be discovered. Lying at 657 meters above sea level, at the heart of Sulawesi, or even in Indonesia, Lake Poso is the third biggest lake in Indonesia. It extends from north to south is 32 kilometers in length and 16 kilometers in width. At its deepest point, it reaches 510 meters. The water is clear and it is a wonderful place for relaxing after trekking hard in the forests of Lore Lindu. In the dry season (October to April), there are many white-sand beaches to enjoy. Giant eels and large carps are often served in local restaurants.

Togean Islands

Spend your holiday in these exotic islands and fulfill your dreams on this picturesque archipelago of 56 islands. There are pleasant jungle treks on Melenge Island, snorkeling and diving on Kandidiri island, or you could visit the dormant colcano Gubung Colo on Una-Una Island, or Bajo (Sea Gypsies) at Kalautan. At Katupat island there is a mangrove boardwalk.

Formed by volcanic activity, the islands are covered in lush vegetation, and surrounded by coral reef formations. The reef and coast provide habitat and breeding areas for hawkbill and green turtles, and for dugong.

From Nani Cahyani in Kendari
Re: Thank you letter to HMHB Project Team Leader

Dear Kang Guru,

I have a story based on my own experience. I hope you can include it in your listener's letter page. Its purpose is to convey my thanks for John McComb and John Young. They have opened my mind to see the world. Hopefully, they will see and read it. Here is the story:

How Kind You Are Sir

Hailul and I, we had a fabulous experience. It happened in the middle of January 2004. Both of us are best friends. One day we tried to send SMS to my friend. His name is John. We wanted to practise our English. We asked him - Was there any time for us to visit him in his house. As we already knew that he had a lot of activities as the team leader of HMHB (Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies) project in Southeast Sulawesi.

After sending SMS, in a couple of minutes we were waiting for his reply. Suddenly there was an answer he said that we could come at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. We were happy and prepared ourselves. We just imagined what a nice conversation we will have with him later!

We arrived in his house and he was waiting for us in his guest room. And then he asked us to take a rest in his dining room. Pak John is an easy going person, friendly and low profile. Even though he is a Team Leader of HMHB Project but he never show off to us. After having conversation with him we decided to go home because we will have magrib prayer. Before it we thanked him a lot for his time and his explanation about struggle in life, knowledge, culture etc. Along the way I was thinking that I got one important lesson. That is success begins with a fellow will. It's a state of mind.

Through this magazine I wanna say thanks a lot for Pak John McComb and John Young my ex-lecturer in Haluoleo University for his gorgeous words: ‘Happiness is your goal in life but does not come from the outside but from within yourself.’

Thanks a lot for guiding and giving us direction and advice for our shining future. At last let me say how kind you are sir!!!

Sincerely yours,

Nani Cahyani

Javanese Wedding

By Dwi Kristiyanti

Indonesia has many kind of tribes, languages, cultures. And here I'm gunna try to tell a little about wedding and funeral in my community — Java.

According to the Javanese, wedding is the most sacred ceremony. They believe that the best wedding is once only in their life. So before wedding is held, ancient Javanese always have criteria for the woman or man who wants to marry their children. These criteria includes good ‘bebet’ (education), ‘bibit’ (family/descendant), ‘bobot’ (property), ‘mugen’ (to be devoted to her husband), ‘tangen’ (independent), ‘rigen’ (diligent), ‘neptu’ or consideration of their birthday. If everything is OK, the man have to ask the girl's hand and find a good wedding day.

Generally the form of wedding consist of ceremony held by girl's family in the night, a day before wedding. The girl is taken bath by using water flower in this event. It is called ‘Midodareni’. In the next day, married couple have to say ‘Ijab Qobul’ in front of spiritual head. After that meeting ceremony can be finally held. In this event married couple aer dressed up like king and queen and sit on the throne called ‘kwade’. Besides mentioned above there are wedding that is not allowed. They are ‘Pancer Lanang’ (a man is not allowed to marry a daughter of his father's elder brother), ‘Ngarang Wulu’ (a man is not allowed to marry a daughter of his father's elder sister). About funerals, for Moslems if one of their family died the corpse must be taken bath, shroud, prayed together, buried without bringing anything except shroud the corpse worn. They also make a banquet on the day the woman or the man died, on the third day, seventh day, fortieth day, a hundredth day, a year and on a thousandth day after died to pray the spirit. That's all from me. I hope this writing will be able to give any contribution and sorry for my bad English.

Tourist Place in Magetan

Mulyadi
Magetan – Jawa Timur

Dear Mr Kevin and friends at Denpasar – Bali.

How are you? I hope you are fine. I will tell you about the most attractive place in my town — Magetan. It is a lake and its name is Telaga Sarangan. I also enclose the picture. Hopefully you enjoy my story and here it is.

Telaga Sarangan is one of the most attractive place for tourism in East Java. It is located on one of the slopes of Lawu mountain. This place can be reached 30 minutes from the city center of Magetan. The fresh water and air make people love to visit the place as well as to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Sailing by boat or riding horse to surround the lake is very enjoyable. After we are tired of doing that we can enjoy the delicious ‘sate kelinci’ which make our belly full. Don't forget to get souvenir such as handicrafts or fresh vegetables and fruits. And the last thing I wanna say that sometime the weather is very cold brrr…

So please bring your jacket if you want to visit that place! think that's all a little story about that place. Thank you and see you.

Best regards,

Mulyadi

Nastiti Puspitosari Princess of Environment 2003 Read about her views and her activities with the environment.

Press Release November 2003 Millennium Kids Extend the Hand of Friendship

Hi,

I am Nastiti Puspitosari the Princess of Environment 2003. I am 12 years old and I study at SMPN 1 the Junior High School in Surabaya. I would like to tell you about my project. My project is ‘Environment Management at School’.

Actually the word ‘management’ has a wide meanings. But, I just take a little of that. It's separating rubbish and make a green space at my school. In my project, I also need my friend's help, the teacher's help, and of course my family's help. I made a Green Team. This Green Team is made up of my friends. They help me to look after my project in my school. I separate 3 kinds of rubbish. It's organic, plastic and paper rubbish. If some one throw the rubbish in the wrong place, we give them a fine and it is about 100 rupiahs. Whereas, in my project about Green Space, first of all, every student had to bring one kind of plant, and they had to plant it in the school yard.

I represent my friends from the fellows of prince and princess of environment to tell you a short story about the prince and princess competition. Same as before, we had to follow the first step, it is a written test about our knowledge about environment problems. In the second step, we had to give a presentation about our project in front of the judges and the other participants.

Some of the projects are recycling water at school, recycling used plastic, recycling used paper, purifying water with water hyacinth, purifying water with stalk, make crackers from water hyacinth, recycling water hyacinth, give knowledge about water, socialite traditional medicine at school, reducing air pollution, separating rubbish at school, make a green space, and so on. What matters most is how we try to do better for our environment. From 75 participants, remainder 36 participants who will follow the next step.

The 3rd step is debating, The judges give us some environmental problem and we have to give some comments about that problem. From 36 participants remainder 26 participants that will follow 3 days environmental training in PPLH Seloliman Trawas. It is a place of Environment Education Center area. In there, the counselors give us some environmental workshop, such as:

• Leadership, by this workshop we can know each other participants, because most of us come from different school.
• English communication, this workshop is for improving our English, we did some game. Counselors stick a piece of paper on our back. But in that paper spelled out the name of a famous person, and we had to know that name. If we want to know that name, we had to asked the other friend, but we just can ask with yes or no questions.
• Pollution, in this workshop, we came out by 2 groups, one group learn about air pollution and water pollution, and the other group learn about food pollution and soil pollution. After that workshop, we had to present our knowledge and also answered the questions from the other participants, or we make a poem, a song, or a drama about the pollution that we already learn about it.
• The next workshop is Environmental Technology friendly, in this workshop, we learn about the technology that save for environment, or this technology doesn't make pollution, such as: solar water heater (the water heater that use the solar energy), Briquette charcoal (the charcoal that use less energy but, it gives big energy), Solar box (the box that we use it for cooking, but with solar energy), and Water treatment (water plants that use for purifying the water) its also had to be presented in front of the other participants too.
• We learn about Environmental Ethics too. This, how we had to look after the balance between human being and the environment.
• All of us, had to make a project, but we have to continue that project to save the environment quality. So, we make an Action plan, what are the things that we will do to continue our project. We draw, half of our body on a piece of paper that spelled out with our action that we will do.
• The last workshop is Rubbish management, how we process the rubbish became compost or a piece of new paper again from the used paper. PPLH Seloliman Trawas is near the forest, so every morning we took walk there. Every night before we sleep, we made a short story or we call it review for this day, about everything we have done for that day.

The highlight of this competition is Grand Final where all of the finalists are dancing to welcome the judges and also the bystander. The judges give us a theme about environment and we give an opinion about that. The winner get some prizes, one of the prize is go to Australia for the prince, princess and the runner-up. Our trip to Australia this year, will part of A Cross Cultural Environmental Education Exchange Australia Indonesia.

We also make some action plan, one of the action plan is environmental seminar for children in our city, I think its enough, thank you very much to read this. Wish me luck with our fellows Prince and Princess of

Environment 2003 action plan.

Save the Earth! For We are the Earth!

Nastiti Puspitosari
Princess of Environment 2003

Press Release — International Day of Tolerance

Millennium Kids Extend the Hand of Friendship

In 2002 children from Tunas Hijau, an environmental club from Surabaya, Indonesia, joined Millennium Kids, in Perth for the 7th annual Millennium Kids Environmental Conference.

At the conference the children took part in a range of activities and environmental experiences and at the end of the conference they created a series of ‘Youth Challenges on the Environment’.

The challenges related to many environmental problems that faced both countries, but the kids went beyond the environment in their challenges. They decided that adults and kids needed to work together in friendship to help each other overcome the many problems faced by both groups.

To this end Millennium Kids has worked with Tunas Hijau throughout the year to help them establish environmental education programs in their local primary schools.

Tunas Hijau was also able to run a national competition to find the Prince and Princess of the Environment. The winners of this competition where able to visit Perth to take part in the 8th annual Millennium Kids conference, supported by sponsorship from Alcoa World Alumina Australia and Broadwater Resorts, Hotels and Apartments.

Today, as a symbol of their long term friendship the children of Millennium Kids and Tunas Hijau will present a Friendship Quilt to the Indonesian Consul in Perth, Western Australia. Two quilts were made by hundreds of children at the Millennium Kids Conference, held last week at Fairbridge, Western Australia. The quilts feature children's drawings of kids working together to protect water, air, wildlife and flora.

The second quilt will be on display at Western Australian schools leading up to The International Day of Tolerance 16th November 2003.

Indonesian Consul
134 Adelaide Terrace
Perth
4th November 2003

My AIYEP Experience

by Wismayunita in Bengkulu

My name is Wismayunita, student of English department of Universitas Bengkulu and AIYEP 2002/03 participant from Bengkulu Province. My friends called me Iwis. For me AIYEP is a very good program which held by the two countries. Each year since 1981, 18 youths from both countries were met and shared their culture and built the spirit of friendship between Indonesia and Aussies.

This program means a lot to me. It's friendship, broaden my knowledge and it's a dream come true. Australia is one of the country I have dreaming of to visit since I was in SMU and it come true through this program.

AIYEP 2002/03 held in Sydney and Orange with a short visit to Canberra. In Sydney I worked in Open High School Randwick. It was the only LOTE (Language Other Than English) specialist school which teach ten languages to about 2000 students. In this work placement my task is helping in designing and recording Listening Skills material for the Indonesian department for 2003 HSC (High School Certificate), assisting in the Japanese Language Department, participating in phone lesson and observing the lesson conducted with the students in two senior high school in Sydney that are Burwood Girl School and Concord High School.

Meanwhile in Orange I work at Trinity Pre-School Kindergarten — a 80 place centre for children age 3-5 years — for three weeks working with children, teaching Indonesian song and playing with them which is the base of the Trinity Pre-School Kindergarten curriculum.

While I stayed in Sydney I also join the Indonesian class at UNSW with Ms. Suzan Piper, as my host mother May O'Keefe is one of her student. It was a great experience to see how they learn Indonesian. I found people here so discipline, hardworking and appreciate themselves and others very much. Beside Sydney and Orange, me and other participants also went to Canberra for about one week where we met our counterparts, visit interesting places and celebrated ‘Lebaran’ at the Indonesian Embassy.

We suppose to go to Indonesia with our counterpart and continue the program in Makassar but because there is travel ban which caused by the Bali bombing they can't go with us to Indonesia. This make us so sad, but anyway it's something unpredictable and because of that we use the Canberra time as good as we can. It was the best moment and I am sure none of us will forget it for the rest of our life. Until now we still keep contact through mailing list, mobile phone, postcard, etc.

During this program in Oz I got a lot of friends and two families which are so great and welcome me staying with them. They are Mary O'Keefe family in Sydney and Dwyer family in Orange.

After the Australia time we continue our program in Makassar for another two months and collaborate with the Canada program participants which we met in Bali.

Thanks for every people and institutions who had coordinated this program especially AII, TCN, Depdiknas and Australian Embassy in Jakarta. It was a great program.

My Yogya Story

Written by Yeni from Yogyakarta

Here's a little story about Jogja. Yeah do you know about the special city.

Every city must been had their famous business street, and so do Jogjakarta. The most famous street in Jogja is surely Malioboro Street. And people even often said ‘U've never been gone to Jogja if you hadn't gone to Malioboro Street.’ It shows us how Malioboro consider identical to Jogja.

The thing that make Malioboro so famous is that the heart of Jogja's economic business. Malioboro is crowded with vehicles and pedestrians.

The characteristic of Malioboro is the sidewalks full of sellers, they sold traditional clothes, silver jewelry, merchandise, antique accessories, cassettes, traditional snacks, and "lesehan" restaurant. The restaurant furnished plaited mats on the floor with low table, and the customer sit on mats.

But you must negotiate the price of merchandise you want to buy. You would not know Malioboro before you come to Malioboro. There must be also many thing you can buy, more than you can think!!!

That's all my story about Malioboro, next time I hope I can tell you the other places there!

My Daily Activities At My Cottages

written by M. Hasbi Ash-Shiddiqi — Lombok

I usually wake up at 4 o'clock but sometime I wake up at 4.30, I almost never wake up late. After I wake up from my sleep I go into the bathroom for taking ritual water then I am ready to do the Morning Prayer. After praying subuh I go to some place for learning until at 6 o'clock then I have breakfast, bush my teeth and take a bath. Afterwards I leave to my school near form my cottage, enter to the classroom to study as the bell ring. The class begins at 7.15 and ends at 12.30. after the class finishes I directly go back home and take ritual water to do midday prayer. Afterwards I have lunch then I take a nap until ashar time at 3.30. After praying ashar I go to some place for learning until 5 in the evening then I take a bath, take ritual water and ready to do praying Maghrib. Afterwards I go to some place to learn again until night prayer. And after I pray I directly take some books to study. I study from 8 in the night until 10.15 or 12 o'clock. Then I sleep. I wake up at 4 or 4.30 in the morning.

Some years ago I wrote a story with Alistair Harvey my friend who lives-in Lyndoch, South Australia. He was the editor of my writing. I am Karyoso living in Pati, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Of course, I am Indonesian and you know Mr. A. Harvey is native Australian. We have made friend for a long time, Herewith, I would like to tell you about the story. It is about one of my customs of the society in which I live, in Pati, Central Java province, Indonesia.

Peace Mission

by Bambang Hariyanto from Kudus

On this occasion I would like to tell you about my worthy experience during I joined one of Non Governmental Organization (NGO) from South Korea. However I m sorry my English is so bad, because I graduated from high school not from university. And please pray for me in order that someone or organization can support my education to continue my study to university next year.

On the middle of July until the last of August 2001, after graduating from high school. I joined an international youth camp in East Timor. I was a volunteer and member of World Christian Frontiers (WCF) from South Korea, which is based in Seoul. I have been so lucky because I have many friend from abroad. Such as from USA, Holland, France, Germany, Japan, and so on. In East Timor WCF mission are to recon ciliate among Timorese and Indonesian people also to keep peace mission. So my activities there were to have socialization with local people, gave medicine, and vitamin for children and people and also taught children to sing, music, Bible study, English, art and teakwood. During there I often speak English for communication because most of the participant were foreigners.

Anyway I usually meet UNTAET, United Nation Staff (UN) and Peace Keeping Force (PKF) so I used that time for learning and finding out everything from them. I stayed in one of villages in east Timor where it was hard t get water, so I only took a bath once a week and it was amazing in my life. Sometimes Timorese gave me fruits, vegetables from their own corp also they often give me met for lunch and dinner. There I had to make nice relationship because East Timor was anew place for me and they still felt traumatic with Indonesian army before east Timor got their independence. There were 18 participants from Indonesia and 40 participant were from abroad. Among all participants I m the youngest, I am still 18 years old besides having nice relation with local people also I had to make adaptation with other participants. It was the first time for 18 Indonesian volunteers to enter East Timor since East Timor became a new government separated from Indonesia in1999. Next year WCF will plan to raise participants from Indonesia. WCF also will increase the local area for making possible large ministry in East Timor. It will be held from July up to August 2002. I am to be volunteer because I want to serve Go, help people and improve my knowledge in the future. Well Kang Guru, I think that's all for now I am very grateful for your attention to my letter and of course I will be waiting my experience shown on the World Wide Web.

Hope my experience useful for people in the world, God Bless you.