Desa Batu Payung Dua is a small village surrounded by vast palm oil plantations in southern Indonesia, in the sub-district of Marau. Most residents earn a living as plantation workers, making around $7.33 per day. The work is grueling, with long hours and physically demanding conditions. Most of the time, workers’ children are left unattended and rely on older siblings or elderly family members for basic care. Education-wise, the dropout rate remains high due to a lack of parental supervision, inadequate school facilities and the absence of nearby schools. On top of that, children often miss school during the harvest seasons to help their families pick durians and other local fruits.
In response to these challenges, Good Shepherd Indonesia has been working in Desa Batu Payung Dua since the beginning of 2024 to develop child protection programs to prevent school dropouts and child marriages. Throughout the year, the team focused on building trust within the community, especially with women and children. This eventually led to the creation of “Rumah Belajar Semua – Dara Marimbang” (the Learning House for All), a safe and welcoming space where children can gather, read, play games and draw. The house is open from early morning until late afternoon to welcome children at any time of day while their parents are at work.
Overall, around 30-40 children from Dusun Batu Payung have come to the learning house, with 10-15 children attending regularly. Many struggle with basic literacy, highlighting the need for structured support. The house provides a space where children are looked after and can practice reading and writing, while also forming positive relationships with other kids and developing social skills through play, drawing and other activities.
One of these children is D., a curious and independent 7-year-old girl who loves to draw and go on new adventures. Before the learning house was created, she used to wander around the village or go into the woods, searching for fruits. Now, she regularly attends the learning house, arriving early to listen to stories, draw and spend time with facilitators.
Apart from opening the house for children in Desa Batu Payung, Good Shepherd Indonesia has also initiated monthly gatherings for women to share their experiences, support one another, and learn to cook different dishes together. The activities began with a celebration of Kartini Day, in honor of the Indonesian heroine and symbol of women’s empowerment. Since then, many women have continued to participate in Good Shepherd gatherings on a regular basis, strengthening a sense of community and mutual support.
The opening of the Learning House is just the first step towards a more supportive and child-friendly environment in the village of Dasa Batu Payung Dua. Together with our partners, we remain committed to journeying alongside vulnerable families and children to empower them to transform their lives and write their own stories!
