March 2010 - Medan, Sumatra.  In the converted driveway and garage of the office of the Orangutan Caring Club of North Sumatra (CPOI-Sumut), over 160 primary school children have learned about orangutans and rain forests along with English, math, computer and reading skills as part of CPOI-Sumut's innovative private lesson initiative. Started in early 2010, the after school private lessons provide a way for the local residents to better understand the mission of CPOI-Sumut and enhance their children's education and skills. Young college graduates and experienced educators volunteer their time to provide these extracurricular programs to the local youth.

 

 

OURF President Dr. Gary Shapiro visited Medan in late February and saw first hand the dedication and commitment CPOI-Sumut educators have given to this home-grown program of education enhancement. Amidst the excitement of nearly 100 children that were patiently sitting in the sweltering open-air garage, Shapiro and Mr. Herman Syaputra (CPOI-Sumut Director) addressed the crowd and answered questions about the program. Absent were desks for the young students and the office's bookshelves were bare. 

Before leaving Medan, Shapiro used OURF funds to purchase 5 high powered fans and left funds to build desks and blackboards for the improvised classroom. A posted photograph of the bare bookshelves on his Facebook site led to a donation of books from Yumiko Ohba from Japan. 

 

 

Those books now are part of a growing collection of literature. Crude desks have been constructed for the students to write their notes. Just as important, the powerful fans have been installed at the office and classroom to provide some relief in the tropical climate. 

 

 

The staff of CPOI-Sumut is still requesting books and supplies for their classroom program. Individuals, schools, libraries and businesses are encouraged to send educational books to the following address: CPOI-Sumut,  Jl. Karikatur Komplex Wartawan, No. 6, Medan 20239, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Postal rates for books should be used to send such materials to Indonesia.

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