Radio as Solution of Study from Home for Wamena Children

#BersamaMelawanCovid19 - Learning from home has become part of the new normal of Indonesia people in living life amid the Covid-19 pandemic. However, infrastructure and technology constraints create educational disparities between regions. Yalihe, a child from Wamena, Papua, felt sad because this situation made her unable to attend school normally. It has been almost four months since she had to study at home with the assistance of her parents.

Yalihe admitted that there was a big difference in learning activities at home and studying at school because if she was at school there was direct supervision from the teacher and if there were questions then the teacher could answer them directly.

"During the Covid-19 epidemic, I really missed my lesson because many lessons had to be delayed. On the other hand, I also really wanted to go to school and meet my friends. In this situation, I have to adapt to new habits that are very difficult to make. I have to use a mask every day, wash my hands every day. I prefer to study at school as usual because at home I am bored with no friends," she said.

Since the end of March, Yalihe had to study at home by listening to the radio because of the limited learning media in Wamena.

Through a radio program named "Belajar di RRI" in collaboration with Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), the Wamena Education Office, and RRI Wamena, students like Yalihe can listen to an explanation of a topic. Apart from studying at RRI Wamena, Yalihe also received books from WVI that could help Yalihe study at home.

"Thank you to WVI who continues to be loyal to help us who have difficulty learning due to limited learning media. However, the books that were distributed to us really helped us study at home,” said Yalihe.

Just like Yalihe, Vera, a student from Wamena also felt the joy of receiving books and radio to help her study. Darli Hesegem, mother of Vera also felt the same joy.

"Thank you sponsors for giving me the radio so that my child can study at home," said Darli.

The Radio and books received by children in Wamena are a form of donation given through the 'Worship from Home' event which was held in July 2020. Apart from Wamena, children in Sentani and Biak also received similar assistance to support the home learning program.

Written by: Kaleb Lau, Staff of Pegunungan Tengah Program Area of Wahana Visi Indonesia