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Many faiths come together at SCJ school

Three years ago the Indonesian Province assumed responsibility for the Yos Sudarso Foundation which administers a junior and senior high school in the Lampung Province on the island of Sumatra. Combined, there are approximately 400 students in the two schools.

One of the few high schools in the area, Yos Sudarso serves a diverse population including Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist families. What they have in common is that most are poor and can only send their children to school because their tuition is heavily subsidized.

“With the low income of our students’ families it is impossible to charge the students enough to cover the costs of operating the schools,” said Fr. F.X. Kusmaryadi, SCJ, headmaster. Students are charged $10 to $15 a month for tuition depending on their grade level. And even at that reduced rate it is still difficult for many families to send their children to school.

Teachers at Yos Sudarso receive $70 to $150 a month, far below the average salary of a Philippine educator. But their sacrifice isn’t nearly enough to cover the school’s operating costs.

Recently the U.S. Province committed $55,000 toward the Yos Sudarso Foundation; $25,000 was sent in October and the rest will go to the Indonesian Province in February.

“It is another way to continue and enhance the collaborative relationship between the United States and Indonesian Provinces,” said Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, U.S. provincial superior. “Indonesia has been very generous to us with personnel, sending two of their men to minister in South Dakota. Certainly, helping this school is significant regardless of the work of these Indonesian SCJs in our province. Yet I also think that it is important to note how as members of an international congregation we can all help each other. We are not just independent provinces but members of one religious community linked by the same charism.”

Below is a recent letter from Fr. Kusmaryadi:

Dear Fr. Tom,

I write this letter on behalf of the Yos Sudarso Senior High School Foundation to express our deepest thanks for your recent donation. Generous gifts from donors like you provide the financial and moral support needed to continue our mission.

With your faithful financial contributions and commitment to the cause of education you help us to increase awareness and raise funds for students from low income families who struggle. Your assistance will help many who might otherwise have to drop out of school. We appreciate your effort and all that you have done to ensure that more and more students get better education and therefore, have a brighter future.

Besides helping the students, the money that you have donated will be used to improve teacher and staff salaries (which are below area standards), and provide better tools for education such as the purchase of books for our library, musical instruments and other items.

There is no doubt that the needs for education here are huge. However, with support from donors like you it is possible for us to achieve our mission of education. Offering a simple “thank you” for your gift does not feel like enough. We hope that we can continue to demonstrate to you that we value your support and that we use it wisely to help educate our children and make an impact on their lives.

We hope that you will continue to partner with us in our commitment to education.

In the Heart of Christ,

-Fr. F.X. Kusmaryadi, SCJ, on behalf of Yos Sudarso