The Sushrusa Playgroup and Kindergarten was founded in July 2007 out of a recognition of the need to begin auditory therapy with children at a much younger age than the standard school entry age of 6 or 7 as children can get much more benefit from hearing aids and special needs classes the younger they are.
This has been a successful ongoing program that is reaching it’s 3rd year and the progress of the children has been remarkable. Children who were silently mute are happily using their voices. They know their names and how to greet and interact with the speaking world. They know Balinese music and can participate in the culturally important dances. They are connected with the hearing world.
Some will learn to speak well, and others will not, depending on their level of hearing loss. All, however will know what sound is and why people react to it. All will be taught how to communicate and interact well with the hearing world. And all will receive the best possible education despite their hearing difficulties.
Currently in Bali there are no preschools or kindergartens that specialize in and educational profile that includes a culturally holistic approach to the education of the hearing impaired child. Sushrusa teachers use a Total-Communication approach when teaching the children, which includes both oral and visual information as well as sign-language. This ensures that every child is included – no matter what their personal degree of hearing loss is. Apparently it is the only school in Bali that consistently uses this approach.
Parents are also actively encouraged to participate and learn within the school environment. They are given support to learn strategies to work with their children, and are also given support to be an advocate for their child and all hearing-impaired children. Sushrusa supports the development of Parent Support Groups.
Giving children the use of whatever level of hearing they may have - even if their hearing is severely damaged, is a wonderful gift. It enables them to understand that sound exists, and that it has meaning. It allows them to realize the function of their own voices and let them use it. Even if just to learn the names of their families or to call for items of basic need, it can greatly enhance their ability to interact with the normal hearing world.
Funded by ALF, this pre-school for 2-4 year olds and Kindergarten for 4 – 6 year olds provides classes three times a week as well as private speech therapy classes. Consultants from the SLBB in Sidhakarya, I Made Pujana, SpD and Sri Aemi, SpD, have trained teachers, , Ni Putu Indrawati, Ni Made Raka Witari and Ni Komang Wiriani and teacher’s assistant, Ni Ketut Suratini and A.A. Ayu Candra Dewi, in the Total Communications Approach for the playgroup.
As of December 2009, we have 12 students enrolled in the playgroup and 7 in the kindergarten. 15 students graduated from kindergarten in 2009. There is room for 32 students.
Sushrusa Playgroup
CV LUMINA
Jalan Moh. Yamin IV/5
Renon, Denpasar
+62 361 262035
luminaabc@hotmail.com
This project is made possible through funding by:
Greg Evans and family of Australia for their monthly donations to help offset costs in the Guided Study after school program for first graders.
Chris and Mary Hill of Perth, Australia held a joint Garden Party Fundraiser with ABC Radio and raised funds for the hearing programs.
The Fischer family of Switzerland for sponsoring hearing aids for nine children in the SLBB schools
