CWS News

In a post conflict situation, children tend to  be overly aggressive or depressed or frightened of certain symbols, according to findings from CWS’ classroom-based intervention program in Poso, Central Sulawesi. The conflict directly and indirectly affects children.  Parenting behavior changes and affects children’s development. From CWS’ assessment found that parents do not give enough attention to their children’s development and growth, as the low number of visitors to Posyandu (integrated service post) indicates.

Families and communities should prioritize early childhood education in a post-conflict area like Poso. Data from the education agency of Poso District shows there are only two early childhood development centers in the district that consists of 133 villages. In three villages alone, Batalemba, Dewua and Sangginora Villages, there are 232 children under five who lack a place to play and learn.

Church World Service implements an early childhood education (PAUD) program in three conflict-affected villages, Batalemba, Dewua and Sangginora Villages. The implementation integrates into the posyandu service (Posyandu-PAUD). CWS provides materials such as educational toys, early childhood education guidelines, and capacity building for educators. CWS also holds psycho-education for parents.

Educators are tought to demonstrate the education toys during the training
(CWS Indonesia)

The local community recruits volunteers as educators in the early childhood centers. CWS conducted a capacity-training for twenty educators in Bambu Jaya Hotel on 18 to 20 October 2010. Participants were mostly women and posyandu cadres and board members of the PAUD care community committee.

“I support CWS’ initiative as this is in line with our program. We will also work together with CWS to make these three villages good examples of early childhood education centers in Poso District,” said Mrs. Nelloh, the head of household empowerment and welfare committee on her speech to open the training. The secretary of the Education Agency expressed gratitude and support to CWS, which implements this decent initiative.

CWS invited trainers from PAUD Permataku Palu Foundation to facilitate.

Participants were actively involved in the process. “I’m happy with the training. It’s a value-added training. It’s easy for us to understand the material even though it will not be easy to understand a child,” said Irwan Nggoe, one participant. He also pointed out that he will implement the changes in his village to create a better generation. “I hope CWS will always support us,” added Irwan.