From Alvah to Java - Val helps give kids a better future
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Val Whyte runs a successful village school on the island of Java, giving children an education as part of the Safe Haven Projects as well as sending teams to help people devastated by natural disasters.
Her recent work has seen her travelling to other schools to help teach English, and also introduce computer studies classes at her street kids project to make sure youngsters have the correct training to improve their chances of finding a job.
Later this month she will hold a Garden Open Day at Alvah with all funds raised from the event going to the project.
Ms Whyte said: “It has been an eventful few months for Safe Haven Projects with a lot of work coming to fruition.
“The kindergarten classes have been a great success with the older children now able to read and write. The pupils have also been enthusiastic towards new sports and healthy eating programmes that we have introduced.
“I am now teaching English conversation at a vocational school.
“Many of the students understand English but only a few speak it clearly. The school helps the students get into jobs where speaking English is essential.
“We are also starting a programme of computer studies for our street kids project which has helped past students from the school find employment, and we want to continue this success.
“Money donated to the project has enabled us to purchase second-hand computers.”
Val was inspired to help the Indonesian people, and particularly the children, six years ago after being shocked by the poverty she witnessed while on holiday there.
She initially set up a shelter in the remote village of Legok after an earthquake in 2005.
As families rebuilt their lives and left the shelter, she set up the Fly Free School.
She lives in the village for nine months a year and comes back to the Banff area in the summer to raise vital funds.
She added: “In the past few months our street kids project has showed good progress, with the children willing to learn.
“The shelter we provide for them is basic and we are looking to improve it.
“Many of the children sing and beg on the streets. Some sell newspapers to passing motorists, while the younger ones collect plastic bags and bottles to sell.
“It is a depressing way of life with no future, but we are bringing some light, love and fun into the children’s lives.
“Fund-raising projects including the coconut grove and cow project are all running successfully, and our students have planted 7,500 trees in the area as part of a government environmental programme.
“Our rescue team has also been busy helping out people affected by flooding in a nearby city and a plane crash in the jungle.”
Val’s main fund-raiser will be a garden open day on Sunday, June 17 at the Rowans Nursery and Gardens at Hungryhills, Alvah, run by her daughter Suzy.
Visitors will be able to look around the many gardens and stalls.
For more information on the project, visit www.safehaven projects.com or e-mail Val at valwhyte@hotmail.co.uk
