Seeds of Virtue Around the ‘Lotus’

Name: Seeds of Virtue Around the ‘Lotus’
Uploaded: 2019-11-13T06:05:02Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: Centuries ago, Gunadarma designed the Borobudur temple, inspired by lotus flowers that grow gracefully even in muddy pools. Until now, the passion of his work continues to flow, greeting those who are marginalized.

Centuries ago, Gunadarma designed the Borobudur temple, inspired by lotus flowers that grow gracefully even in muddy pools. Until now, the passion of his work continues to flow, greeting those who are marginalized.

HARIS FIRDAUS/ REGINA RUKMORINI/ KRISTI DWI UTAMI

· 4 minutes read

A boisterous atmosphere surrounded the Surya Bunda School on Wednesday morning (16/10/2019). The school that helps educate children with special needs is about 2 kilometers from Borobudur temple, in the village of Wanurejo, Magelang regency, Central Java.

Amid the commotion, Radiq Dwi Kurniawan, 11, tried to jump over the school’s fence. Two teachers immediately restrained him and guided him back to class.

"When students start to mess up the atmosphere, we have to handle them according to their character," said Dewi Purwaheni, 42, a teacher.

The Surya Bunda School takes care of 13 students with special needs. Their ages range from 9 to 28 years old. Twelve students have Down syndrome and another has autism. The school charges no tuition fees. The students are trained in certain skills, such as making column iron, doormats and cooking.

When students start to mess up the atmosphere, we have to handle them according to their character.

Some children were previously rejected by other schools, including Lana Zahratul Mufida, 13. Having attended public school until grade 4, she often had uncomfortable experiences. Her teacher, Fida, often asked her to sit alone because her hyperactive behavior was believed to disturb class. She was also often ostracized, ridiculed and considered strange. Sarini, 31, Fida\'s mother, moved her daughter to Surya Bunda in 2018.

Teachers work with passion, as they have no background in teaching children with special needs. Surya Bunda initially had nine teachers. After three months, six left, leaving three teachers, Dewi, Isti and Eko Yuliansyah.

Previously, Eko was a construction worker who helped build the school. Although initially he was only asked to be a janitor, eventually he also helped with the work of the teachers. "With the students here, I am reminded to be kind to all children, like to our own children," he said.

Interacting with children with special needs is a very touching and emotional experience for Isti. "One day I was absent because of illness. The next day the children greeted me at the school fence," she said tearfully.

The Surya Bunda School was built by Istiningrahayu, 47, and her husband, Nur Widhi Wijayatma, 55, in 2017 with the initial intention of providing assistance to their son, Afandi Herman Jaya, 15, who lives with autism. The lack of places for children with special needs around Borobudur encouraged both of them to open the school to the public.

School fees are free because most children come from poor families. They are given skills to increase their self-esteem and so that they can be accepted in society. The products they produce are sold in four stores owned by Istiningrahayu and her colleagues. From there, students receive income.

As there are not many who can help [them], we will continue to make room for them.

The high demand and the limited number of teachers has meant education at Surya Bunda is limited to three years.

"As there are not many who can help [them], we will continue to make room for them," she said.

Betesda Mental Rehabilitation Institution

About 5 kilometers from the Surya Bunda School stands the Betesda Mental Rehabilitation Institution. Here, mental illness sufferers are guided through holistic therapy.

As on Wednesday afternoon (16/10), the sound of singing was heard from the institution in Wringin Putih village on the side of the Borobudur-Purworejo road. In between songs, prayers were offered to the Creator.

Helen Sitorus, a mentor coordinator at the Betesda Mental Rehabilitation Institution, said patients underwent holistic therapy that included counseling, singing, praying, developing interests and talents and joint sports. The patients are monitored by psychiatrists from Magelang’s Prof Dr. Soerojo Mental Hospital.

The institution was founded by Daniel Alamsjah, 76, a businessman and founder of Bukit Rhema Prayer House, more familiarly known as Gereja Ayam (Chicken Church). The institution, established in 1994, treats around 100 patients.

Although there is a fee for the treatment, not all patients are required to pay. About 15 percent of patients from poor families are free from all costs. To cover operational costs, a subsidy is provided by the Bukit Rhema Prayer House. Thanks to the holistic therapy, a number of patients have recovered and have been able to move on. To increase their self-confidence, some go to Bukit Rhema, including Erni, 30, from Jember, East Java.

The seeds of virtue sown at the Surya Bunda School and Betesda provide hope for those who are marginalized.

"I once wanted to run away from home, it felt hot and like someone wanted to kill me," said Erni who suffered from depression in 2014.

After being treated for three months, she recovered and was trusted to help cook, wash and clean at an orphanage.

Tin, 44, a patient from Yogyakarta who has been treated since 2013 for depression, has also started to recover. He is now trusted with helping out at Bukit Rhema. His goal is simple, "I want to continue living by working and getting married."

The seeds of virtue sown at the Surya Bunda School and Betesda provide hope for those who are marginalized.

Editor:

Syahnan Rangkuti

borobudur disability surya bunda school