SINTANG NEWS – Child Development Center (PPA) ID0615 Sintang held Christmas together, Wednesday (18/12/2024) at GKII Gracia. This Christmas activity was attended by all PPA children, parents, mentors, staff and the GKII Gracia Sintang Congregation Management Board. Also present at the Christmas activities was Aki Agus Lukito, PPA coordinator for the Sintang region.
Pastor of the GKII Gracia Sintang congregation, Rev. Henry Luther, M.Th welcomed the Christmas activities. He said that Christmas is the moment that all Christians have been waiting for to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus as Savior.
Ev. Gracella Luther, S.Pd, a graduate of STT Jaffray Makasar as the speaker, enthusiastically conveyed the good news about the birth of Jesus Christ into this world and the meaning of Christmas to PPA children. Interestingly, during the delivery of God’s Word, a superbook film was shown which told the story of the birth of Jesus. This film makes it easy for children to understand the true meaning of Christmas.
In his speech, Aki Agus Lukito said that there were PPA children from Sintang who were successful and now there are those who are studying in Java and taking courses in Pontianak and are even ready to be placed in the world of work. “Now we are fighting for the children so they can achieve their dreams and aspirations,” he said.
As Coordinator of PPA ID0615 Gracia Sintang, Bachtiar Chiko thanked all parties for their cooperation so far so that PPA activities can run well. “We have made a proposal for children who graduate from SMA/SMK to be able to get sponsors, but the name of the proposal is not necessarily “answered, please parents can choose an achievement route or another so that their children can go to college, don’t be obsessed with sponsors. Praise God if the proposal we put forward can be answered,” he explained in his speech.
What is a Child Development Center (PPA)?
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit a Child Development Center (PPA) in a small village. At first, I didn’t really understand what PPA was. I thought, this place might just be some kind of small school or daycare. But, after spending a full day there, my view changed completely. PPA turned out to be much more complex and meaningful than I imagined.
PPA: A Place for Children to Develop Holistically
The Child Development Center, or what is often abbreviated as PPA, is a program designed to help children develop holistically—not just academically, but also physically, emotionally and spiritually. Usually, PPA is managed by humanitarian organizations or churches, especially in underprivileged areas.
I still remember one of the coordinators there saying, “PPA is not just about giving children an education, but building them into the best version of themselves.” That was the first thing that really made me think: Wow, this place is serious.
Why is PPA Important?
When I spoke with the staff and volunteers, they explained how many children around the village do not have access to adequate education. Even for healthy food, some families still have difficulty.
PPA is here to bridge this need. Apart from providing basic education, they also focus on child nutrition, life skills training, and even counseling to help children deal with trauma or life stress. In some PPAs, there are also programs for parents so they can better support their child’s development at home.
One of the children, his name is Dika, told how he almost dropped out of school because his parents had economic difficulties. Thanks to PPA, Dika was not only able to continue studying, but also started to dream of becoming a teacher. Honestly, I almost cried hearing the story.
What is Done in PPA?
This is perhaps the part that amazed me: the program was surprisingly organized. There are several main areas to focus on, such as:
1. Academic Education
Children are taught basic subjects such as mathematics, languages, and science. However, the approach is different from regular schools. They focus more on a fun learning process. When I arrived, they were learning to count with a game involving used bottles. Very creative!
2. Character Development
At PPA, children are not only taught to be “smart,” but also “good.” There are special sessions on values such as honesty, humility and responsibility.
3. Health and Nutrition Support
Many children in remote areas suffer from malnutrition, so PPA often provides healthy food as part of their programs. When I was there, the kids ate together, and the menu was simple but nutritious—rice, vegetables, and boiled eggs.
4. Social and Creative Activities
There are also art and sports sessions. Children learn to paint, sing, and even play drama. They say, this activity is not only for fun, but also helps children deal with stress.
5. Spiritual Accompaniment
For religious-based PPA, they also teach spiritual values that help children understand the meaning of life and develop a relationship with God. However, the approach is not pushy. Children from other backgrounds are still welcomed with open arms.
Lessons I Learned
From that visit, I realized one thing: supporting children cannot be done half-heartedly. Sometimes we think, it’s enough if we just give them school money. But at PPA, I saw for myself that children need broader support—emotional, physical, mental, even spiritual.
In addition, I learned that small or large, our contributions can make a big impact. For example, I asked a volunteer what motivated him to continue helping there. The answer is simple: “If not us, who else?”
That sentence still rings in my head to this day.
What Can We Do?
If you want to support PPA, there are many ways. You can become a donor, volunteer, or even just spread information about the existence of PPA to other people. And if there is a PPA near where you live, don’t hesitate to visit. Who knows, it could also change the way you see life, as in my experience.
Ultimately, the Child Development Center is not just about the children themselves, but also about building a better future for our community.
