Lets' Shared Prosperity!!

During these weeks, most of Indonesian ALCoB Volunteers have been busy in preparing their students to face National Final Examination. This examination is considered important because it decides the students’ graduation.

Here is the experience of one of Indonesian ALCoB Volunteer who lives in isolated island.

On Sunday, April 8th 2007, me with four friends of mine represented English Testing and Training Center SMKN 1 Kotabaru, visited and tested several schools both Junior and High school in Batu Licin. This region is part of Kota Baru which is separated by the sea.The test was held in SMK Kodeco

Since we didn’t want to miss the ferry to Batu Licin, we had to depart early in the morning, riding three motor cycles to go to the ferry port. It is about 45 Km from Kota Baru to Batu Licin. At 08.00 sharp, we reached the port. Thanks God, there was a fery which was ready to depart, so we didn’t waste our time

It spent about 45 minutes to across the sea. The weather was so nice because there had been heavy rain the day before. It was considered our luck because we forgot to wrap the paper box with plastic. Can you imagine what would happen if there was rain ?.There were several good views that I took with my digital camera.

Around 08.45 we reached BatuLicin Port. Then, we had to pass the muddy street with many holes about 5 Km to get to SMK Kodeco. This slippery street made me difficult to speed my motor cycle. So we arrived there about 09.10, after two times lost.

Oh my goodness, the school was still locked and no body there. Where were the folks ?.
While waiting, we tried to call one of the teacher to make sure whether the test was held that day. It was true that the test would be held that day. Since we still had much time, we could be relax and taking some pictures.

I remembered the head master, who was my close friend. I missed him so much because we had not meet for two years.

At 09.30, the vice headmaster and several teachers came. I knew most of them , Mr Daelam, Zaenal, and Wid. From Mr. Daelam I got the news that Mr Yuli, the last headmaster was not there anymore because he was accepted as a civil servant. Now he is teaching at SMAN 1 Pagatan, its about 20 Km from Batu Licin. And the way to get there …..?!, it need more then an hour from here. Yeah…. When will we meet again ?.

Fortunately there was a good news that could ease my pain. The TOEIC test participant increase became 110 students. Because we only brought 80 test sheets, the test was held in two term. Congratulation for the school committee. It was the greatest number of participant that ever had in Batu Licin.

The first term started at 10 am up to 12.00 and was continued by second term up to 14.00.
Having finished the test, we had to be back to Kota Baru hurriedly. If we hadn’t done so, we would have arrived at Kota Baru in the night. It is dangerous to be in the jungle in the night.

Unfortunately, it was heavy rain when we reached Batu Licin Port. Moreover, we had to wait for the ferry for an hour.

We arrived home before 6 pm. Though feeling tired, I felt so happy because I had met old friends, shared experiences and planned the next activities. I heard sad song in the deep side of my heart because 3 hours couldn’t erase 2 years separated from my close friends.
That’s life, there is meeting and there is farewell. However, the beautiful memory always remind in our deep heart . Therefore lets share prosperity with others !!!