The Need for Social Services in Indonesia (WIDF, 1963): Gerwani kindergartens

=== [PDF page 1] === WA. Balk £. 20,244 22 Indonesia fie ies se afsjen THE NEED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN INDONESTA ES IN INDONESIA Due to the increase of women who work outside the who take part in public life and the urgent demand of itself to educate children, creasing day by day. home, women society the need for kindergartens is in- Tomea’ s organisations in Indomesia ere working to achieve this aim, jmong woments orgamisaticns, the Indomesian Fomea' s Novemezt GESEAET has meie a creat daal of Pregress oa this === [PDF page 2] === Ole question. They cooperate with workers, peasants, intellectuals and other groups of the population to realise these demands on a mass scale. In the first stage kindergartens are only based as an experigant and self help, But to develop on a mass scale it must be well planned and organised. So in 1959 the Indonésian Women's Movement held a National Seminar on kindergartens. This Seminar, the first of its kind, had great support from the masses and was enthusiastically welcomed by personalities, government administration and other organisations. Before this Seminar regional seminars in the different regions had already been organised. In 1951 the Indonesian Women's Movement had started with one kindergarten. The Seminar studied ways to develop methods of organising kindergartens and has drawn on its own experiences to show how to overcome their difficulties, The problems posed at the Seminar were; 1. The relation between kindergartens and the Indonesian Women's movement. 2. How to organise kindergartens a) the founding of a committee b) to organise necessary materials c) to look for kindergarten teachers ad) to collect finances The Seminar also discussed the base of education, the role of the kindergartens, the responsibility of teachers. Education in these kindergartens is based ong - love for the motherland, - love for parents and all human beings =- love for honesty and justice - love for friendship and peace - love for nature. After this Seminar, courses were held in several places, giving the methods of organising these kindergartens on a mass scale and in a short time. In 1961 and 1962 courses were held for kindergartenf teachers where they exchanged experiences and developed methods of work. The Indonesian Women's Movement also demanded government allowances and material support. The Indonesian Women's Movement had decided that in every street, in towns and country regions there should be- at least one kindergarten. It is of course with the help and contributions of the parents themselves, that part of society which needs these kindergartens. The founding of such kindergartens is not only based on the availability of money, but according to the need. If a suitable location for a kindergarten cannot be found, a room of one of the members of Gerwani is often used, Equipment is always very simple and well known to the people. === [PDF page 3] === Daye One kindergarten has from 20 to 30 children. Once a month a small fee is paid. At present the Indonesian women's move= ment has more than 700 kindergartens. In enterprises, working places and plantations the workers are also demanding such kindergartens. Besides these kindergartens, the Indonesian Women’s Move—- ment is beginning experimental polyclinics and consultation bureaus for mother ané child. The lack of such institutions is another pressing problem. In the capital Gerwani, with the help and cooperation of medical doctors and nurses opened a polyclinic to meet these demands. It hopes that more such establishments will be opened in other regions and places. In Surabaya the organisation has opened a consultation Bureau for expectant mothers