- TELUK DALAM : in the little town essential repair work, to roads and bridges for example, is still not complete. We still have to make our way across the town, either through dust, or through enormous quantities of mud as soon as there is a little rain, and how to describe the rainy season ? The potholes, and they are very large, remain. The shops have started trading again and it is now possible to cater for one’s needs (even for bicycles for the students supported by Faomasi).
Bad news for the end of the year : the NGOs are leaving here in June 2009.
As planned, the BRR (Office for reconstruction and rehabilitation) stopped its operation in Dec 2008 after 4 years of work. They had arrived in Nias in 2007.
Following problems with the S. Nias people, the office was transferred to the North in March 2008. Who will repair the roads which remain unmetalled and the bridges which have been begun but not finished ?
The French Red Cross left the island of Nias in November after constructing a covered market at Gunung Sitoli and several schools.
The United Nations and the Spanish and Netherlands Red Cross are leaving next June.
The families in the Camp are now living in solid houses but still lack water and electricity. These dwellings have been built on marshland and are difficult to access, even in the dry season !
One final canoe (no.13) that had not been handed over last year was passed on by Catherine. It proved impossible to locate the 26 boats at Fohili. Following last year’s events a meeting with the fishermen, village chiefs and local police had to be organised by the BRR and the United Nations. Up till now there is no report of this meeting but Catherine has taken it in charge (that’s the main thing). Please note : the warlike tradition prevalent among the inhabitants of S. Nias, and a cultural context very different from our own, make it difficult to proceed. The letter sent by the Ambassador of Indonesia in France was safely transmitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Indonesia.
We are providing education for a total of 29 students : 17 girls and 12 boys.
In the Camp of HILIA’NAA : 14 children, 6 in primary school, 2 at College, 1 in the Lycée (secondary school) and 5 in the technical school.
TELUK DALAM : 7 young people 1 in primary school, 5 at College and 1 at the Lycée.
HILISALAWA : 4 young people • Suci Hati WAU (for whom we have been providing education since 2005) has started university at Teluk Dalam : she would like to become a Maths teacher. Faomasi has agreed to help her for one year and is trying to find her a [?]. • Suterlina Bu’ulolo : SMK Mitra Kasih. Last year she was in very bad health (tuberculosis and malnutrition). We bought her a bicycle so that she could get to school without becoming exhausted. She lives 7 kms away from Teluk Dalam and previously walked there and back, morning and evening. She has just returned to technical school. FAOMASI is paying her meals once a day at Eléna’s (a little local restaurant). She is keeping much better. • Famatoro and Robertus are at the Lycée.
HILIAMAETA : 2 young people 1 at primary school and 1 at College.
BAWOMATALOWO : 1 adolescent girl at the Lycée.
PULAU ASU : 1 young person at College.
The Association had 2,200 Euros at its disposal for the academic year 2008-9. This income resulted from sponsorships, gifts and sales of crafts.
All moneys were spent locally on the 29 students. They all accompanied Catherine to make purchases and to pay for a year’s education at their respective schools. In this way Catherine also meets those in charge of the school and hears reports of the child’s education. Catherine met all the families, took photos, and this year the students and their parents signed a contract with Faomasi recording that it is indeed the association that pays for all that is necessary for a year’s education.
Catherine will return to Nias in September 2009 to follow up the provision of education after verification of the students’ attendance and academic success. The association only makes agreements with parents on a year by year basis.