This project started with an email from Jessica Tanoesoedibjo during her birthday fundraising. It started with the question of “What can I do to support ABILITAS.ID?” During that time, we were doing research about online learning for students with disability and we are very concerned with the situation of special schools in Lombok during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our warm meeting was full with substantive discussions about what kind of intervention we can do to help support the teachers and the students during this pandemic. Jessica introduced us to the theme of this project which is “Beginning of Hope” that symbolizes new beginnings and hope for a better future during the crisis of COVID-19.

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What is our goal through “Beginning of Hope”?

We and Jessica Tanoesoedibjo aim to support teachers and students who are struggling during COVID-19. We provided the schools with the much needed facilities such as printers, projectors, and many more. Phase two of our project is giving vocational trainings based on the talent and interest of the students. Many students with disabilities in Lombok have the talent in sewing and membatik but they do not have adequate facilities, supplies, and professional mentor to continue the training. Read more about this here.

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When will this project be implemented?

The phase one of this project is during the month of June 2020. Phase two (vocational trainings) will be held from August-December 2020.

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Where does this project take place?

“Beginning of Hope” takes place at public and private needs schools in Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara. Specifically in SLBN 01 Mataram, SLB A YPTN, SLB Asy-Syifa, and SLB Muhammadiyah Kelayu.

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Who are our participants?

Our participants are the teachers and also the students of these special schools. Some are blind, autistic, and deaf. We are dealing with different types of students with disabilities in these schools.

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How do we run this project?

We started with surveying and interviewing the teachers and students in these special schools. From there, we designed our intervention and consulted it with the teachers directly. We want to make sure that our help is cost-effective and impactful for the students and teachers.

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Special needs children have dreams and hope as normal people do. Therefore, it is time for us to help them to get closer to their dreams and hope. You are able to contribute by clicking this link to donate. Your donation will help them to reach their dreams and hopes!