Finally Go Back to School

“I got my 4th grade,’’ said Venan, a student of one of the elementary school of Bajar (11yo) with smiling face. Venan comes from a small village, a son of Mr. Gaspar and Mrs. Maria. His parents imagined some aspirations for their only son’s future life. Morning to the afternoon they are working hard in their garden for Venan’s future. He must continue his school.  

But suddenly the parents dream comes to an end. Venan was imagined to be an army, but he dropped out from school. It happened when he was in 3rd grade, on Easter holiday (April 2017).

His father always supports Venan to attend school every day, but Venan did not really enjoy being among friends. Venan didn’t join the lesson. He went out. One day, when his father back from school, Venan had already been at their house, not in the classroom. In fact, he got out and backed home.

After 3 months, on the mid of 2017 June, staffs of Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) Area Progam (AP) East Manggarai visited Venan’s house. The staff was surprised and sad, hearing Venan’s mom story that Venan didn’t attend lessons at school anymore. Venan spent his days playing alone and accompanied his mother to the garden.

The staff asked a question, why were Venan leaving the school?

“I want to be with my mom, I always remember my mom,” Venan said.

He wants to be close with his mother. But his mother wants his son still go to school, even he has to go back at grade 3 or repeat the class. After listening to Venan’s mom, AP staff asked permission to talk personally to Venan. At that moment, Venan went out and playing with his friends.

The staff waited until Venan came back. Then, they talked. The staff probed the reasons, why did Venan leave the school. Was him scared with teachers? Any problems with his friends? Or any other problems? He said no! No problem at all!

“I just remembered my mom when I was in school, that’s why left the class,” Venan said.

Listening to the family’s story and Venan himself, the staff persuaded and motivated Venan to attend the school anymore. The story finally ends. His mother was very glad because Venan wants to attend the school again.

When the staff knew that Venan wants to go back to school, then, he talked with Mrs. Ester as a school headmaster and his school teacher at Grade 3rd. In the meeting with them, the staff asked if Venan can join the second test because leaving the school for one month.

The guarantee was that WVI’s staff and Venan’s parent do a special assistant to help Venan pass the test within two weeks. The school accepted this solution.

“We are very happy that WVI supports our children to attend the school,” said Mrs. Ester

The class teacher give some books to help Venan pass the class grade examination. Three WVI’s staff started to accompany “Venan’s Home Schooling” at his house. While discussed lessons, the staff motivated Venan to continue study. The school is very important for his life. In the process, Venan showed his ability to read, to write and to count. WVI Staff was optimistic that Venan will pass examination especially for a basic skill such as reading, writing, and counting.

After two weeks, Venan followed the second exam. The school committee decided to give permission, so that Venan can go to next grade: grade 4th! Venan’s family was very glad to listen to the result. Their dreams for their son future will become true. Finally, Venan back to school.  

By the time Venan comes back to school, the WVI’s staff asked Mr. Emanuel about Venan condition. He said all the learning process goes well at school. 

“Venan is very active attend the school and become one among active students in the classroom,” said him.