Ciko, A Student in the Midst of Education Uncertainty

Ciko had arrived at school, ready to learn. But there was only a whiteboard in front of him. Ciko and his friends waited. Who knows, today, the teacher will come to school and teach them.

Ciko wanted to be able to read. No longer helped by his older brother to spell letter by letter. No more stammering just to read one word. But Ciko needs teachers to be in the classroom, to teach reading. However, like most other days, the teacher did not come to school that day.

Elementary school teachers in the area where Ciko lives often can't come to school because the situation there is unsafe. Pegunungan Tengah, Papua is one of the most remote and underdeveloped areas in the country, and is also prone to conflict. When danger threatens, teachers cannot come to school. Children learn less and less.

For Ciko to catch up with his reading, he needs a safer place to grow. Ciko and his friends in the Central Highlands also need teachers who are more skilled at teaching reading. The curriculum used must also be updated, just like the current curriculum in other parts of Indonesia.

Ciko hopes that one day he can fluently read many storybooks. He wants to be able to have a window to the world even though he lives far away in Pegunungan Tengah. Through Childhood HOPE, we can be the #HOPEbearer of Ciko and many other children. Take your role now.

Writer: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)