Serincil, School for Junior Foresters for the Cibunian Village Children

The earthquake that occurred in Pamijahan Sub-district, Bogor Regency, in 2012, inspiring  the attention of some people around Bogor Regency especially people. The earthquake, which had a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 SR, devastated most residents' houses in three villages in Pamijahan Sub-district, Purwabakti Village, Ciasmara Village and Cibunian Village. The earthquake caused considerable losses and trauma to the local people. Until now, many children are traumatized because their homes were destroyed by earthquakes.

Five students of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) were encouraged to assist the victims of the earthquake.  One of them was Brigita Laura Fatria (Alumni of the Department of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism of IPB). Laura Fatria and her five friends took the initiative to create a non-formal school called Sekolah Rimbawan Kecil (Serincil School for Junior Foresters) in Cibunian Village. This village was chosen because the village was most affected by the earthquake.

Until now Serincil is still actives and it gives a positive impact for children of victims of earthquakes and volunteers.

"Actually the aims of establishing this non-formal school Serincil is not just to educate children but also to invite colleagues from the Department of of Bogor Agricultural University, to implement their dedication through University Tri Dharma" explained Laura.

Serincil is not like a typical school with a target value. But Serincil was established to encourages and supports children's growing capacities as learners by providing a school culture, teaching behaviours and curriculum content that are focused on learning and the learner. Not only for the children,  Serincil also had an impact on the formation of volunteer characters who come to serve there. Serincil emphasizes process-based learning: the goal is for children to acquire knowledge in a meaningful way, not to reach a prescribed end goal. Serincil offers an authentic nature immersion program where students spend the majority of their time outdoors, and also a place of learning for residents around Bogor regency or residents in urban areas to be more familiar with nature and to love nature, it could have an enormous positive impact on the planet's environment.

Serincil is also organizing various training courses for local communities who can assist their neighbours to revitalize their life as victims the earthquake and other natural disaster.

"In addition to learning and playing together with the children, we also organize training programs for the community such domestic chicken farming, and other programs such as the distribution of free tree seedlings," explained Laura. (Wied)