Update from Tofa - Kupang

November 2011

The Sisters Visiting the Children's Homes

The First Flag Raising Ceremony

July 2011

Construction in progress

December 2010

Laying of the Foundation Stone

The Kindergarten building reached a milestone in May 2010, with the laying of the foundation stone.   Mother Iolanda Vezzoli was present along with the children from the playgroup and the kindergarten, the Sisters who were teaching there and the local priest. 

By December 2010, plans are on the way for the construction to be started.  The whole project consists of the construction of 3 classrooms for the playgroup (children age 3-5 years old) and 3 classrooms for the Kindergarten.  They are hoping on the first year of operation of the school that 2 classes will be up and running.  An additional 2 classes opening on the second year, and by the third year, all 6 classes will be opened to cater for the children. 

January 2010

Canossa Playgroup in Tofa, Kupang, Indonesia

Canossian Sisters minister to twenty-nine (29) children aged 4-6 years in Tofa, a small village of Kupang, the central city in the south-eastern province of Indonesia (Nusa Tenggara Timur).  One Sister is fulltime teacher to the children, while 2 other sisters who are still taking tertiary education and majoring in preparatory school, are helping her.

The children initially came to school 3 days a week on Mondays to Wednesdays, and class was held for 2 hours a day, from 8 AM to 10 AM.  Since September 2009, children aged 5-6 years come until Thursdays as per observed needs to prepare them for formal education. The children learn basic education, with alternating games, interactive activities and socialisation.  The Canossian Sisters instill basic values on respect, care for life and appreciation of families.  

Even though materials are very scarce, some of which come from groups or other Canossian communities, they maximise the use of little things to enhance learning.  And although the space is very much limited, about 4x5 metres for 29 active children, they creatively make use of the roads or a small terrace of a private house, to exercise their energetic bodies and creative minds.  During Thursdays, those aged 5-6 years are given more writing, coloring and counting exercises. Another Sister volunteered to give basic English lessons.

On a simple, daily basis, the children are trained as leaders.  Four kids act as prayer leaders at different times of the day: before and after classes start, before and after their snacks.  They are guided to respectfully relate with their friends: saying “Thank you, Sorry or Excuse Me,” and explaining to them the consequence of their actions to increase their awareness and understanding. Other kids are given tasks to prepare waste containers or monitor trash disposal, prepare wash basins or monitor cleanliness within the small classroom.

In Christmas 2009, the children made a Drama Presentation of the Birth of Jesus in the Parish Church. The priest and parishioners, numbering about 800, witnessed the spirit-filled presentation which was prepared for about 2 ½ months. The children used Indonesian and English languages as media of presentation. Complete with costumes which were made from old clothes and props generously given by some supporters, the Christmas Presentation exhibited the children’s skillfulness and simplicity. The four Canossian Sisters mainly stood behind, confident of the children’s gifts and assured by the audience’s support.