Education
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History (6)
Education is a key to income generation and progress. It is “free” in south Nias up to the end of senior school is, but all students must provide their own uniforms, text and writing books, pens and transport etc. Children of very poor families either con not afford these costs or have to work to put food on the table, and cannot go to school. In August 2013 Matt, Peter Bosker (a School Principal in Sydney) and his wife Annette visited potential scholarship candidates and their families in the villages around the Foundation base. Twenty students were selected for scholarships, and Peter and Annette found sponsors to pay $30 per month to cover the education costs or supplement the family income so the students do not have to work. These donations are tax deductible for Australian supporters. -
Students and their famiies (8)
Needy students were selected based on family income, number of family members and the health and income potential of the parent(s). Preference was given to single parent or no parent families and those who are experiencing temporary financial difficulties – “at risk” families. There are so many sad stories: • Both parents died and the students looked after by their siblings. • The father had a work accident leaving him paraplegic. He lives with his grandparents but he has not been able to get outside for 10 years, or go to the toilet. He has two high school children. • Husband died so the mother “earns” about $3 per day harvesting taro from the forest. Several of the original students have completed senior high and have been moved off the program. Another has been removed because he showed no interest in school. We have 18 sponsored students and have at least seven students who desperately require support. Please consider. -
Monitoring student and family progress (4)
The Foundation employs a field officer to manage the funds and visit the families and students every 1-2 months. We aim to provide a progress report every six months. Peter and Jill Hofman, the Australian coordinators, visit Nias every year to monitor progress. An annual review of each scholarship student will be undertaken and the student nominated for ongoing support pending satisfactory performance. Matt will submit to the Australian coordinators bank statements and a detailed statement of expenditure of the Scholarships program every six months. The other community development programs of ONF (eg education, employment etc) will try to assist the scholarship families so that they can once again become self-sufficient. The student can then move off the program so other at-risk families can be supported.