Looking Back at 2021

Happy New Year 2022!

With this newsletter, we would like to wish every one of you a year filled with good health and happiness!

The year 2021 was still a challenge for our Vocational Training Center (VTC). We decided in June to reopen all of the classes, giving priority to former students who were forced to discontinue their courses due to COVID-19 in 2020. Unfortunately, many of them had either already graduated from their school or were already working in another city.  However, we were very happy to welcome new students who showed great enthusiasm.

The classes were adjusted with the pandemic. For example, in English class, the tutor took the initiative to have outdoor class activities instead of being in the class all the time. This action has shown great impact in the students’ confidence and teamwork skills. Above all, it was good to enjoy fresh air and being in nature, while learning. By the end of August, 38 students graduated and were granted a certificate. 17 students followed the Computer class and 21 students followed the English Class. 

A new term began in September with more than 50 active students enrolled in both the Computer and English classes. We hope that our students remain motivated and excited to learn these new skills, which we believe will benefit them when they look for employment after graduating from high school.

My name is Lusi, I am 16 years old. I started learning English at YUM’s VTC by enrolling in the Beginner level with Mr. Ray. I took this course because I want to be able to communicate and read anything in English. I am sure it will be very useful for my future.  I always have fun and enjoy being in the sessions because the lessons are delivered in an easy way to understand. I hope the pandemic will be over soon, and I will have an opportunity to practice my English with native speakers, who used to come and visit YUM’s VTC. 

Lusi, English Class student.

I graduated from high school in 2020 and before that I enrolled in the English and the Sewing class. I would like to prepare myself with various skills to increase my opportunity in finding a job. For the last 3 months, I have been learning about how to operate the various tools in a computer as well as learning about computer parts. I now understand the basic skill in operating computers; therefore I will enroll in the Intermediate Computer class next term.

Indira, Computer Class student

Thanks to the support of the Priscilla Hall Memorial Foundation, even through these challenging and unpredictable conditions, YUM is still able to provide skills for the youth in Cipanas, West Java. By offering English and Computer courses, we hope these young people will find employment easier and can grow into healthy, productive adults who can contribute to their family’s well being.