Author: Herawati Dewi

Several years ago, the students of SD Cibeureum only had reading activity in the class. They almost never read books outside of the class, because they did not have any reading books, they had only students books. No wonder, we could find a student who was on third grade but can not read properly. Goldteak started the program “ Let’s read a story books”, the students were enthusiastic when they read books together at the school porch. Starting with a bilingual story books for young kids (Indonesian & English), now they read social & science books (encyclopedia).

From reading activities they are interested to do more activities, related with simple experiments for simple science (like to prove that water and oil does not mixed). They also like to do gardening and do a hydroponic at their school yard. They display they work on the Bazar Day, where they can earn money by selling their products to their parents.

Reading is the beginning of the braveness to follow the competition, then the students will know their ability and their knowledge.

Trip to Bogor Botanical Garden was the first experience for the SD Cibeureum students, they almost never went out from the village, except when they took a competition in other village or in Sukabumi Regent.

Since early morning, they already woke up and took a bath and had breakfast, they should go to Cibadak train station by car to take a morning train. They had no experience taking a train, that’s why they were very exited when they arrived at the station and chose the seat, they wanted to seat near the windows. It was different when they saw the train from the book, they found more interesting to see the view from the window.

Some students slept, the air conditioning made them sleepy. But some were awake, they saw the scenery from the window. Passing the rice field, guava and oranges gardens, fish pond, market, villages, even they could see the traffict, they were exited when the train stopped at the station and some passengers got on or off the train.

They chatted, talked and had snacks, one hour trip seemed short. They arrived at Paledang train station in Bogor and directly walked to Bogor Botanical Garden.

Taking a train back to Sukabumi made their trip completed, they were tired but their exitement and fun made them keep talking in the train untill they arrived home and told the story to their family. Some of the students asked to the teacher, whether they will have another opportunity to go to Jakarta or Bandung or other places using ship or plane. The teacher answered that it is possible when the students perform well and achieve many awards in every competition.

“My achievements are not mine alone, but those of many”. (Maori proverbs)

The Botanical Garden is located in Bogor, Indonesia, 60 km South of Jakarta, and it is currently operated by Indonesian Institute of Science (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia or LIPI). The Gardens are located in the city center and adjoin The Presidential Palace compound of Istana Bogor and Zoology Museum. It covers an area of 87 hectares (210 acres) and contains 13,983 different kind of trees and plants of various origin.

Thursday morning, August 24th, students grade four, five and six, took 06:00 am train from Sukabumi to Bogor with five teachers and five parents and they arrived in Bogor at 07.05. Jon, Zaini, Dewi, Adi and his family joined the program. After students received goodybags with books, stationary and bread, they started trip from from Zoology Museum (It was founded by Dr. J.C Koningsberger in August 1894), they saw the collection of fossilized and preserved animals. The Museum tour guide gave explanation to the students, they wondered about all animals they never knew and surprised when they saw animals that they already knew from the books. They amazed when they saw a giant preserved Rhino.

After one hour tour in museum Zoology then they took an open bus to go round the garden. The tour leader informed them about the history of The Botanical Garden, last May there was a big event to celebrate the 200 years Botanical Garden. There are about 80 % of the plants from Indonesia and 20 % from other countries. With the theme “Plants and People in Harmony” we encourage young people especially students to plant trees or any green surround their houses or their area.

Half day trip to Bogor made people happy, they ended the tour with games, taking photos and got an ice cream and key chains from Jon. Theo and Alfred, Adi’s sons, shared the key chains to all people who joined the trip. They had lunch at the Garden beside the Lotus pond and The Bogor Palace as the background. We believe that it will be a memorable experience for the students and becomes a motivation to care more about environment