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.
Navigating the New Normal
Category Archives: SEEDS News
New partnership with Universitas Pahlawan Tuanku Tambusai
SEEDS has recently set up a partnership with Pahlawan University, signed a 5-year MOU, and will bring a Registered Respiratory Therapist and bioethicist from the United States as an education consultant for an initial two years. See this link for the virtual signing ceremony.
Finding new ways to engage with students
With university classes now online, the focus for our SEEDS worker in Sumatra is getting students motivated to practice speaking English. It is too easy for them to not participate in a large online meeting, so other creative ideas are necessary. Breakout rooms help to give them smaller groups for interacting with each other and for practicing their speaking skills. Another social media app lets students make videos of themselves to which other students can respond.
Virtual Studies in Riau
“Mr. David, when can we study again?” The lecturer’s request was quickly echoed by other members of the class WhatsApp group. Covid 19-induced restrictions have indefinitely delayed the SEEDS education consultant’s return to Indonesia to resume teaching academic English to lecturers at a religious state university in Riau.
Hoping to hit the ground running again soon
Our global world has come to an abrupt halt end of March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. How is this affecting SEEDS and its ongoing projects with partners in Southeast Asia?
Football begins again!
After several months of activities being closed due to COVID-19, here in Thailand lockdown has come to an end. Although Pattani province had initially been hard hit by COVID-19, thankfully now the situation is under control. This has allowed the football project in Southern Thailand to restart last month, and children (from 8 to 13 years old- many who are from vulnerable and low-income families) who had been involved in our projects have been slowly returning.
North Lombok Loves Reading- from Yayasan Tunas Aksara
SEEDS partner organisation Yayasan Tunas Aksara recently completed an 11-month program in North Lombok, Indonesia, in partnership with the INOVASI program from Australian Government’s Department for Aid and Trade (DfAT) and the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.
Coastal Communities Emergency aid program due to COVID-19
Indonesia, in common with much of the world, is facing both a health and economic crisis from Covid-19. As with any disaster, vulnerable groups are the ones hardest hit. SEEDS, working with local partners, has already been working in coastal communities to strengthen their livelihoods through education, entrepreneurship, and environmental programs. These programs were designed to make households resilient to shocks but the scale of the COVID-19 ‘shock’ is far beyond their capacity to cope.
SEEDS partners giving aid during COVID-19 crisis
During the past few weeks of worldwide change from the spread of COVID-19, SEEDS partners at a nonprofit foundation in Indonesia have distributed food supplies to poor families. Many in the country are struggling to survive in midst of economic hardship related to virus response measures.
Thailand / Sports
It’s hard to overestimate the positive impact of sports on young people. Sports impact youth cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically. Through participation on a safe and healthy team, youth learn life skills and develop character traits that will assist them when dealing with challenging seasons of life in an urban environment. Over many months, team members also grow in decision making skills, goal setting, self-confidence, and leadership.