During a wide-ranging conversation with host Bayu Oktara, content creator and news presenter Ajeng Kamaratih, shared her journey to mastering four foreign languages when she was still a student of the Tarakanita Senior High School in South Jakarta. She then studied law at the University of Indonesia, and deepened her French knowledge at the Sorbonne University in Paris.

During their discussion, Ajeng and Bayu focused on literacy issues. According to Ajeng, mastery of foreign languages and law, not only enriched her life but also developed her soft skills and general knowledge which played an important role in her family life.

All of the competencies she obtained during her education years made a significant impact on her career as a professional news presenter, master of ceremony, content creator, and more importantly on her role as a wife and mother.

Majoring in the language in Tarakanita, she learned four other foreign languages – English, French, German, and Italian – apart from her native language Indonesian. She is most attracted to French because of the beauty of the language and she is fluent in German because she spent 20 hours per week learning it for a year.
Her family did not support her pursuit of language studies. “My mom questioned my choice of language studies, like many other mothers, she prefers me to choose science as my major,” said Ajeng who is also the mother of a three-year-old daughter.

When she wanted to continue her study at the University of Indonesia, she was accepted at the Faculty of Law. “When I went to the university, initially I was very interested to take the Chinese language because it can help me find a job either as a translator, tour guide or teacher,” said Ajeng who is also an experienced as a news anchor at various private TV stations.

When Bayu asked why Ajeng could become proficient in four foreign languages, she answered,” We must stick to our commitment every time we learn new knowledge. We must be committed to the new expertise. I could learn the languages because I was committed to learning them seriously.”

Reading Books for Knowledge
Ajeng strongly believes that books are the best way to acquire knowledge, as an old saying goes that a book is a window to knowledge, even in the era of the internet. “Books are windows that allow the light of knowledge. When reading a book, we can spend a few hours reading it, but on the Internet when it is not interesting it is very easy for us to change the topic,” said Ajeng who began her new career as a new content creator in September 2022.

Ajeng suggested that the books we read should align with our current interests. Additionally, it is important to be disciplined when reading, and setting a timeline to complete the book. Ajeng herself reads books on Mondays and Wednesdays before going to bed each week.

Raising Daughter
Ajeng now has a three-year-old girl from her marriage to a French national. Her husband has a strong commitment to sharing the responsibility of raising their daughter. Culturally French are very feminist. Her husband grew up where his father and mother played equal roles and responsibilities in raising kids. “It is very helpful. But sometimes there are some conflicts because we grew up in different cultures,” she said.

Her daughter reads 10 books per day. Most of the books are picture books because she is still too young for heavy reading materials. The daughter of the couple is never given gadgets and also never watches TV. It is believed by them that there are many things that she needs to explore with her senses. Their kid also learn new things through conversations and games, and hence, developing her sense of curiosity is considered to be very important by them.

“Parents must invest time in their kid even if they feel tired when accompanying their kid. When you want to have a kid, you need to be responsible as parents,” said Ajeng. “If you want to have smart kids, you must directly take part in educating them about values of life, only parents can teach it. My kid is well-prepared now, so she can go to daycare.”

Full video in Bahasa clicks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi0M6ohypZc

The Tanoto Foundation SIGAP Parenting and Early Learning Center was established in May to help support parents and their under-three-year-old children residing in the vicinity of Cipinang Pulo in Jatinegara, East Java.

The Center has employed trained facilitators, including Rini Dian Asih, to assist parents of children aged 0-3 in their child-rearing efforts. Rini feels grateful for her new assignment because she loves children and since young she dreamed to become a teacher.

Currently, Rini has taken up the role of a private tutor for several children, many of whom she is personally acquainted with. Alongside her responsibilities as a facilitator at the Center, she frequently visits the children at their homes to ensure that their parents are consistently applying the knowledge and skills they acquired at the Center.

Rini expressed that she frequently reads articles emphasizing the critical importance of the first 1000 days of a child’s life, which span from birth to age 3. During this period, the growth and development of a child’s brains are particularly sensitive to stimulation. Rini underscores the significance of providing consistent and appropriate stimulations during this window of opportunity to ensure optimal growth and development of the child.

She is proud to see the progress of children after their participation at the Center. “When the 0-3 years old children finish their program here, their growth and development are good and they are ready to go to school,” Rini explained.

Mothers are also grateful for the Tanoto Foundation’s program. “I feel better equipped to take care of my child now, after attending Ibu Rini’s sessions. I have little knowledge of parenting. Before the training I often easily feel irritated and angry with my kid,” said Elvira, a beneficiary of the Tanoto Foundation’s program.

Risma, another beneficiary, shares the same conclusion. “Facilitators like Ibu Rini are very helpful. I am glad we have the opportunity to share our experience in parenting.”

According to Irwan Gunawan, Manager SIGAP Program, the Foundation has established 25 Rumah SIGAP centers in various regions in Indonesia with the objective to provide access and facility for parents who have under three years old children. “We hope these facilities will help parents to gain access to information and resources on how to properly raise their children from 0-3 years old,” said Irwan.

Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0ej850VvHs