Indonesian student to help street children in her homeland
2011. 06. 02.
As a child growing up in the Republic of Indonesia, College of Idaho sophomore Ana Azwan remembers a culture where most people seemed too busy to lend a helping hand.
“In Indonesia, most people aren't really aware of helping each other,” Azwan said. “Everyone is trying to survive and take care of themselves and their own families.”
This summer, Azwan has a unique opportunity to provide service in her homeland. Thanks to the Freeman Foundation and the Institute of International Education, the C of I Davis Scholar will spend two months helping the children of Yogyakarta through the Freeman Indonesia Nonprofit Internship Program. Azwan was one of only 20 college students chosen for the program, which seeks to get young children who have dropped out of school to leave the streets and return to the classroom.
“I'm really looking forward to learning about and helping these street kids,” Azwan said. “Hopefully we can get them back into school, because that is the only way to change their futures.”
The Freeman Indonesia Nonprofit Internship Program will cover Azwan's expenses. She leaves for Indonesia on May 29 and returns to Idaho on September 4. During the internship, Azwan will perform research for a project she plans to share with the C of I campus in the fall.
“Ana is a great example of what the Davis Scholars bring to campus,” said Dr. Rob Dayley, who teaches political economy and oversees the Davis Campus Committee at C of I. “We have 44 Davis Scholars on campus from around the world, and they are here because of their potential to contribute to the world. This is a great opportunity for Ana to take what she's learned here and use it in her home country.”
Azwan, a psychology major, attended high school in Italy on a scholarship before coming to C of I. She hopes to become a children's psychologist.
“I really appreciate what I have here in the United States,” Azwan said. “Dr. Dayley and my psychology advisors at the College have been very supportive. I just want to take advantage of my opportunity to make a difference in Indonesia.”
To learn more about Azwan's project, email oliza.azwan@yotes.collegeofidaho.edu or visit http://www.ylpshumana.or.id (you will have to switch the page's language to English).
Founded in 1891, The College of Idaho is the state's oldest private liberal arts college. It has a century-old tradition of educating some of the most accomplished graduates in Idaho, including six Rhodes Scholars, three Marshall Scholars, and another ten Truman and Goldwater Scholars. The College is located on a beautiful campus in Caldwell, Idaho. Its distinctive PEAK curriculum challenges students to attain competencies in the four knowledge peaks of the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field, enabling them to graduate with an academic major and three minors in four years. For more information on The College of Idaho, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.