Turning a Kampung Into a Campus

Aside from his family, nobody believed Jamaluddin returned to his hometown and became a farmer after earning his master’s degree in Makassar. Indeed, he has also enjoyed working as a lecturer. Yet, he decided to become a farmer.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Jamaluddin

Aside from his family, nobody believed Jamaluddin, 29, returned to his hometown and became a farmer after earning his master’s degree in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Indeed, he has also enjoyed working as a lecturer. Yet, he decided to become a farmer.

“On campus, there are many academicians while in the kampung many people are still illiterate. Why not making my kampung into a campus?” Jamaluddin said.

Jamaluddin, or Jamal, hails from Kandreapia village in Gowa regency. The village is located 1,500 meters above sea level and is cool. On Sunday (13/5/2018) morning, the rain made the weather chilly. Amid the chill, five kids sat in the back of the house.

Rumah Koran (Newspaper House) is the name of the saung (gazebo) where the kids were sitting. Like its name, Rumah Koran is a wooden gazebo with its wall full of newspapers. At the house, the kids studied together with the help of Jamal.

Irwan, 12, was one of the five kids studying at Rumah Koran. The state junior high school student of SMPN 2 Tombolo Pao read the tasks written in his book. Jamal told the kids to rewrite the news on the newspapers attached to the wall, pillar and other part of the gazebo.

“The theme of today is vehicles,” said Jamal. “The children were told to find news from the newspapers about vehicles and then rewrite them in the book.”

A bit shy, Irwan read his “report”. As his voice grew louder, he read about Valentino Rossi, his favorite motor racer. “Rossi has a chance to visit Indonesia. Rossi has just extended his contract with Moviestar Yahama,” Irwan read out, referring to Japanese motorbike brand Yamaha.

Jamal did not correct the mistake. After finishing their writing and reading tasks, the kids would step forward for their assessment. The kids would improve through practice.

Jamal said he usually took the kids to a nearby farm, to the hills, river and other places. While walking to the locations, the kids were told to look around. While arriving at their destination, they will discuss and improve their notes.

Through Rumah Koran, Jamal’s dreams start to come true. Literacy is improving, and the village has gained public attention, organic farms are developing and education is seen as a priority.

“This Rumah Koran used to be a cage for ducks. It has become a chicken cage. So, part of this place is a chicken cage,” said Jamal, while opening the door of the cage hidden under a piece of newspaper.

Started with derision

Kandreapia village, Tombolo Pao district, can be reached in two hours from Makassar via the Bili-bili dam, and is a few kilometers away from Malino. Jamal was born and grew up in a village with stunning scenery, fertile ground and cool temperatures. The village produces vegetables and fruits.

Despite its natural resource, many things needed to be improved.

“The illiteracy rate is still high. Many people own cellphones but they cannot read,” he said.

Quoting 2010 data, Jamal said that from the 4,700 Kandreapia residents, 1,500 were still illiterate.

Jamal might be one of the low-educated villagers if he had not continued his study. When studying high school, he was one year behind because he got carried away by the school’s surrounding. After graduating, he convinced his parent to allow him to continue his studies at a university.

Nevertheless, the temptation to drop out was so strong. In less than a year, he fell behind by his classmates. In the second year, he switched universities and field of study. Finally, he was able to finish his studies in four years and got his undergraduate degree in Indonesian language teaching.

Since his university years, he has started marketing the crops of his parent and neighbors to Makassar.

“When I started taking the master’s degree, I asked for a pete-pete [public minivan]. I asked a friend to operate the public van and I focused on my study. So, I no longer asked my parents for money every month,” said Jamal, who finished his master’s degree and became the first person in his village to earn a master’s degree.

Rumah Koran

He began teaching as a guest lecturer at a private campus. He stayed for six months. Nevertheless, his mind was not there. Realizing his environment was not in good condition, he decided to return to his hometown and become a farmer. Derision from his neighbor was heard. People called him ungrateful, a bit insane and others concluded that education was not important.

“What is the point of taking higher education if at the end he only returns home and picks up the hoe? The successful people are those working in the city and wearing a tie. Some people call me insane,” Jamal said.

“In fact, I thought: Why not turn the village into a campus, a place for people to learn? To allow everyone to study, from children, youngsters and elder people.”

Jamal began by making a place for people to gather and improve their reading skills. Making use of old newspapers piled up at the village office, he set up Rumah Koran. He argued that the newspaper is a source of information.

Every Sunday, he invited children to come to Rumah Koran to read, write, count and learn English. Six youngsters joined to help teach the children.

Not only children, Rumah Koran is also open for young farmers and old people. Young farmers are expected to learn technology while old people are expected to support the education of their children and learn about organic farming.

Now, the kampung has begun to improve. Organic farming is getting popular. Farmers start to understand technology and the literacy rate is improving.

“Not only reading text but also understanding the surrounding environment. That is what we call reading in the kampung,” Jamal said.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Jamaluddin

Birthplace: Kandreapie, Aug. 20, 1988

Wife: Diana Jamal, 27

Child: Arsyana Rezkiana Jamal

Education: Indonesian literature undergraduate from Bosowa University (2007-2011); master’s degree in human resource management from Indonesia Muslim University (2012-2014)

Activity: Initiator of Rumah Koran

Award:

Finalist of Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards 2017-2018; first winner of Community for River Conservation, Public Works and Housing Ministry; award-winning youths in Gowa regency