No Rattan, Root will Do

Helena Fidelia, 5, is eager to study at preschool or Early Childhood Care for Development. Unfortunately, such a facility seems to be too luxurious for children her age in the remote village in Timor Tengah Utara district in East Nusa Tenggara province.

“If I don’t come to school, I will be foolish,” says Helena, giving the reason why she insists on going to school. 

Her eldest sister Flodina Banna, 24, and her father Philipus Bana, 53, often tell Helena that children who are lazy to go to school will not be smart.

Previously, Helena asked Flodina Bana, a teacher at the local school that Helena calls Dina, to allow her to follow to school, Later Helena is interested to stay in the first grader of Lamel state elementary school.

Helena is still too young to be an elementary school student, so the teacher does not treat her as a normal student. However, Helena learns seriously and could follow the lesson.

“Sometimes, Helena helps her friend, who is actually a real student, to understand school lesson,” Dina says.

Helena usually gets up at five in the morning. After taking a bath and enjoying her breakfast, she prepares herself to school. As the distance of her house to the school is so close, she walks to school with her friends.

“Father, I want to learn at school so that I would be a midwife,” says Philipus, imitating his youngest daughter.

“If you study hard, you could reach your dream,” Philipus motivates Helena. Philipus believes getting educated is important.

“This village has to grow,” Philipus says. “Without educated generations, it is impossible that this village will grow.”