Help Two "At Risk" Teens Learn Organic Farming

On Saturday, August 8, 2015, the three teens from the Cirendeu open garbage dump in Jakarta were officially enrolled in “Batch 23” at The Learning Farm.

If you have been following our story, you might remember that XSProject General Manager offered  six “at risk” teens who live at the dump site, the opportunity to attend the next session at The Learning Farm. Three of those young men, Andre, Faisal and Riyan decided they wanted to go.

There are a total of 45 young people from all over Indonesia in this session. For XSProject’s young men, this is the first time they have  been away from home.  Saying goodbye was hardest for their mothers. These 18 year olds are exploring their independence. With the guidance and support from The Learning Farm staff, that spark of independence will be directed to build productive young men who will have the skills to run their own in organic farming business.

When the program is finished XSProject will be waiting for them with opportunities to use what they have learned to partner with restaurants and markets that purchase organic vegetables. Andre, Riyan and Faisal will be able to say they are true “independent businessmen”!

It’s not too late to be a part of these young men’s story.  XSProject still needs and is accepting donations  until  September 21.

Thank you so much to everyone who has already made the choice to help by contributing to this project.  

Andre is one of the three teens, who are enrolled in the 4 month program at The Learning Farm, located just outside of Jakarta. Along with Riyan and Faisal, from the Cirendeu garbage dump in Jakarta, Andre will be learning organic farming and small business skills.  By offering this program to the teens, XSProject is carrying forward its mission to break the generational cycle of trash picking, so rampant in Jakarta.

But Andre almost didn’t get enrolled in the program.  Here is what happened and how the trash picker community came together to help him.

Andre lives with his brother and parents who are elderly and cannot work. They depend on him for everything from bringing them daily food and water to doing the chores they are no longer able to do.

Since he is already too old to go to school and with no education or opportunity to find work, he prowls the streets of Jakarta at night looking for ways to make money. 

Last month, XSProject asked all three teens if they would like to attend a program to learn organic farming. With this skill and a small plot of land, they will be able to grow produce to sell in the market and help feed their families.

But when Andre told his parents that he wanted to study at The Learning Farm, they wouldn’t allow him to go. They were afraid that if he left, they would have no water or way to get food. Then, several families from the trash picker community spoke up and offered to help while Andre was gone.  His parents finally agreed.

The first day of class is August 10. For the next 4 months, XSProject will be monitoring their progress and checking in with all the parents and sharing their son’s successes.

We are still raising funds to cover the cost of this program. Your contribution will help ensure that all three young men will return home in October with the skills to be independent, contributing, and responsible members of society.