January 13th

January 13 Balikpapan
This was our last day in Balikpapan and it was a very efficient and interesting trip. Having done this twice, you have the feeling you know what you are doing (sometimes true; sometimes dangerous).

SDN 001 is a very nice elementary school with a charismatic headmaster and a wealthy group of kids (many of the children had cell phones and blackberries)

We arrived and were greeted with traditional dance and music by the kids (the video is on Sam’s web site) and then the students came out, lined up perfectly (about 200 of them) sang songs, shouted back answers in unison, and sat with remarkable patience as about 7 adults (me included) spoke. The sea of uniforms and students perfectly lined up (they spaced each other out at arm’s length) then sitting at the same time and responding loudly, together, is a visual representation of a big difference between an American and Indonesian school – the “communal sense” and the “individualistic” sense. It is easy to make too much of this. Not all of the schools we have attended were as well organized, and American’s often show organized group behavior at rallies and meetings, so, while the difference is real, it is in no way absolute.

This was my first visit to an elementary school and I was frightened – “what am I going to do with little kids?” fortunately, Ms. Julienne, my colleague, is a third grade teacher (who speaks Indonesian as does Sam Camera) was a total stud and had pictures, pen pal programs, a book of greetings from her third grade children – everyone loved it.

I have never seen so many curious children. They stared at us; shook our hands – took pictures and could not decide whether to come with us or run away. There is a great picture of me (taken from above) surrounded by children.

In the afternoon we visited the school of our host’s children – and we also met his wife. I have known, and worked with Sam, for a number of year’s and have always enjoyed working with him but I had never met his wife. We were very excited to meet each other and, for reasons I can’t express, the meeting was emotional. This was not a poor school, but it was not rich, and many of the people, Sam included, felt the difference. Sam gave an emotional talk about how committed he and his family were to improving the school –and I spoke, saying that the school was in the hearts of the teachers and the students – a worn sentiment but one that was appropriate at the time. Short talks, toasts, and speeches often sound maudlin in the recounting but work well in the moment of delivery.

The school was more chaotic, but still good and the kids were incredibly cute and the administration committed to exchanges, international connection, and improvements.

That night we hosted a reception for local leaders participants, and families. It was remarkable to meet the families – they were so happy for the opportunity to see us talk to the people their husband or wife had met in America.