A Commitment to Empower Education in Mentawai, Indonesia At Kids Toys Warehouse, we believe in the power of play to inspire learning and growth. This belief has sparked our latest initiative to support Cahaya Logos School in the Mentawai Islands, an institution dedicated to providing quality education to children in a region where resources are limited. Every toy you purchase from us will contribute directly to enhancing the educational experience at Cahaya Logos School. Our mission is simple yet impactful: to ensure that every child has access to the tools they need to learn, explore, and thrive. Cahaya Logos School is a beacon of hope in Mentawai, where educators work tirelessly to foster a nurturing environment for young minds. However, like many schools in remote areas, they face challenges in securing necessary resources. With your support, we aim to bridge this gap and help create a brighter future for the children of Mentawai. Join us in making a difference! Every toy you buy not only brings joy to your child but also helps bring quality education to those who need it most. Together, we can play a part in transforming lives and empowering the next generation. Thank you for standing with us in this important cause! Table of Contents About Mentawai About Cahaya Logos Foundation Current Situation About Mentawai The Mentawai Islands, located off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, are renowned for their stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Home to the indigenous Mentawai people, who have lived in harmony with their environment for centuries, these islands are characterized by lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and unique traditional practices. The Mentawai community is known for its vibrant art, intricate tattoos, and a deep spiritual connection to nature. However, like many indigenous cultures, they face challenges such as limited access to education and healthcare. About Cahaya Logos Foundation The idea to establish a school in Mentawai came about during a mission trip to the Southwest of Siberut Island in Mentawai in 2018. This was due to the lack of educational facilities there, which resulted in a shortage of skilled human resources to manage the island's rich natural resources. In 2021, it was recorded that there were 8,634 students who could not continue their education to high school, out of a total of 13,443 students who graduated from elementary school. To improve education, the Cahaya Logos Foundation once brought three young people from Siberut Island to Jakarta for college. However, this plan could not be implemented because their knowledge was not sufficient to follow the college courses. The experience with these three young people and the lack of schools led the Cahaya Logos Foundation to decide to establish a high school in the Mentawai Islands. The goal was to prepare the youth of Mentawai to advance and compete with strong mentalities. The economic conditions and lifestyle in the Mentawai Islands need to change to progress, and one of the ways to achieve this is through education. The education provided should not only focus on knowledge but also on character building and lifestyle. Supported by Volunteers Passionated volunteers running English lesson Verbal Presentation Cahaya Logos students shine in their oral presentations. Dynamic Activities Engaging class activities with dynamic visuals: bringing learning to life Current Situation In January 2022, at the request of the Christian Education Office of Mentawai Regency, SMAK Cahaya Logos was established with the slogan "School for Future Entrepreneurs," aimed at empowering the youth of Mentawai to take charge of their own community. This School for Future Entrepreneurs began operations in the new academic year in July 2023 and has received operational permission, aiming to produce as many small and medium business entrepreneurs as possible to improve the lives of the Mentawai people. Since the first class of tenth graders started in July 2023, there have been many significant changes. Students who were initially undisciplined, rebellious, difficult to manage, smoking, and afraid to speak in public have undergone a total transformation. Now, they are obedient, diligent, confident in presenting, enjoy praying, studying the Word of God, and developing various other positive traits. Daily activities for the students begin with morning devotion at 5:00 AM, followed by regular school lessons. The difference is that after school and a break, at 4:00 PM, students learn gardening, farming, animal husbandry, woodworking, and other skills useful for entrepreneurship later on. In the evenings, after dinner, there are English Club sessions and mentoring that end at 9:00 PM. The needs during their stay at the dormitory, such as meals, electricity, and learning materials, are covered by Yayasan Cahaya Logos, allowing students to learn for free. At the "School for Future Entrepreneurs," besides regular subjects, students also learn to plant and have successfully harvested chili peppers, eggplants, water spinach, bok choy, corn, butternut squash, and kabocha, as well as raise chickens. Initially, when planted in polybags as a trial project, the results were very successful, even impressing the Mentawai Regent, Mr. Fernando Jongguran Simanjuntak, who visited and was amazed by the size of the harvested chili peppers. This has inspired him and the local government to encourage the Mentawai community to cultivate crops, especially chili peppers, to meet the needs of the Mentawai Islands, which will surely make the cost of living more affordable.
