In unprecedented times, finding opportunities in the difficulties can be a challenge. Together with Indonesian colleagues SEEDS workers in Jakarta have sought to review, respond and (re)create.

Certificate Time – This Participant’s face says it all!

Review: During Jakarta’s lockdown (March 2020) we reviewed the impact of a year’s involvement in two kindergartens. Primary focus: delivering two courses (Parenting & Nutrition) on a rotation basis. The Nutrition courses (x4) finished just before lockdown. When surveyed, 80% of participants reported reducing their consumption of instant noodles; over half reported reducing their children’s unhealthy snacks and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Basic computer training for teachers, facilitation training for parent volunteers, and one-off events were also held.

Respond: The computer training (August 2019) was in response to requests from the kindergarten teachers. They were increasingly expected to use Microsoft/online platforms for school reporting, which was proving to be challenging. While some possessed more than a baseline knowledge, a significant number of them were complete novices. E.g. no email address.

Fast forward to 2020 and the world has gone virtual. Kindergartens are still closed and teaching is online. Teachers are finding this difficult; including how much it is costing them in ‘data’. – Think early days of pay-as-you-go mobiles.

Informal 1-1 support for some of the above has been given by an Indonesian colleague. The simple act of sharing how to navigate your phone’s menu to an internet plan/add-on can make a significant difference.

(Re)Create: In January 2021 we plan to deliver: teacher training, including how to creatively use platforms such as Zoom and Canva; a condensed Parenting course–potentially via whatsapp–with a new focus on home based learning; and more planned up until June.

In these difficult times, remaining responsive to ever-changing circumstances is a necessary skill both personally and professionally. As is the ability to find the opportunities that exist. SEEDS workers and partners are endeavouring to continue growing in these areas; while journeying with the communities we have the privilege of navigating these times with.

We also look to the new year in hopes of a new normal that is better for us all.