Synopsis
St Ignatius School was established some 10 years ago by St. Petrus Church, a private initiative for the under-privileged children in Rempang island off the southern tip of Batam island linked by one of the 6 bridges called Barelang. Travelling takes more than an hour from Nongsa, Batam which will be our pick-up point.
Over the years, concrete building blocks comprising dormitory and school were gradually built by two Batam based companies, Batam, PT McDermott and OLPS.
This primary school has some 150 students, ranging from 6 to 15 years of age of which, there are 90 of them who live in the sparsely furnished dormitory. Correction to be noted here – these kids are not orphans but the fact remains that their parents could ill-afford to accommodate them, let alone providing a decent education. Thus, the responsible of educating & housing them falls on the heavy shoulders of three Catholic sisters who live with the children in the school/hostel compound.
The school is chiefly supported by kind contribution in one way or another from the local business community and even good Samaritans coming from as far as Singapore too.
Prior to the commencement of this trip, I took an initiative to pay a visit to understand more of their urgent needs. As can be seen in one of the pictures here, there is an old & badly rusted swing which can just squeeze in 3 small kids on one side but it is only a matter of time, this sole & treasured swing of theirs will soon give way one day, sigh! Imagine it is shared by 150 kids and obviously, jostling for space becomes a norm…”how lucky our kids here are”, we just wonder.
It is the school’s priority to put in place a decent playground with slide and swing for these under-privileged kids to while away their times where computers are unheard of. I have requested one of my colleagues to find out the cost for playground equipments and hopefully, the fund raised from all well-wishes would realize the kids’ dream. Therefore, I shall coin this event on 22 May, ‘Project Playground’ from us all.
The charge for this day trip is S$100 per adult or child which will comprise of return ferry transfer, all transportation transfer and a lunch (lunch box taken with the kids at the school). After deducting all costs, the net proceeds will be pledged to the school. We do not intend to give the school money but to use the money raised from the proceeds to purchase essential items with the playground as our first priority though.
Our target is to raise at least S$5,000 and those who wish to pledge more is certainly appreciated. The beneficiary from this fund raising project is not only for St Ignatius School, we hope other similar schools from different faiths will stand to benefit too.
On our intended visit on 22 May, we will be organizing an array of exciting program at the school. We hope to entertain the kids, to bring joy and laughter to them. We need talented volunteers who can sing, dance or perform magic show, just anything that can keep these kids in awe-and-suspense. In all, we intend to spend some 3 hours at the school, eating & mingling with the kids.
One last note anyone who would like to contribute in kind, please consider the following things for the school:
• Spoons, plates & cups (hard plastic - melamine material only)
• Stationery & books (note: they don’t speak English though)
• Toys (aged 6 to 15 years)
• Children clothing (aged 6 to 15 years)
• Any essential items
Departure on 22 May is from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal by BatamFast ferry @ 0900 hrs and returning on the same evening at 1830 hr. Ferry ride to Nongsapura Ferry Terminal takes about 40 mins only.
To save the hassle, collection of these items can be arranged prior to the trip, to be transported over & assembled at Batam View. If anyone needs such arrangement, please contact Collin Ng @ 91998690 or email to collin_ng@hotmail.com.
