One Fine Day at RPC

For me, capturing children's face as the object of human interest photography is the most fun activity. They have an innocent facial expression, a happy face, and also touching. Last week, i had an exciting experience. I had an opportunity to photograph children who live in Ciangsana, Bogor. There is always a story in every images. So this is my story.

Saturday June 13th 2015, i came to Pabuaran Wetan village, Ciangsana, Bogor, for the first time. My girlfriend asked me to visit Rumah Pintar Ciangsana. At the same day, they were celebrating their fourth birthday. I have heard about Rumah Pintar Ciangsana before. My girlfriend used to tell about activities that has been held there. She's quite active as social activity junkie.

Rumah Pintar Ciangsana was established in June 2012 as an initiative of a bunch of young people. The mission is very simple. They want to make a public library and a place to learn for kids. A place that very accessible and reachable for kids who live in Pabuaran Wetan village. So, they will have an interest in studying and reading a book. Beside that, I think those anxiety also departs from the fact that not all Indonesian children have an equal access to education. Well, a group of youths who have a high commitment and dedication are the seed of revolution, right?

Please do not think that RPC's building is fancy. The building is not much different from people's houses around. Inconspicuous and alongside each other. It was about 6 x 3 meters. There is a banner with RPC name on it and garbage dump in front of the house.

Even the building is not big and fancy, the children love to learn in there. Kids will always be kids. They absorb everything around them in various ways. Learning while playing, so the volunteers have to be so creative. Teaching and learning activities are usually carried out with themes. For example; english day, art day, earth-loving day, and social day. Forms of teaching and learning? It depends on teacher's creativity.

Four years is not a short time and its not easy to go through while maintaining a non-profit organization. Volunteers come and go. They are even not paid. Although not as active as before, my girlfriend still take time to come and visit the children. "Children really love a gift. Yesterday i came and brought a dozen of piggy bank for them, so they can start to save money. At the end, they asked me for a princess Elsa doll as a reward for the one who has the biggest amount of savings," she said as she laughed.