COMING SOON! KAHARAPEN, Emmanuela Shinta's newest documentary

The story revolves around Herianto, an honorary teacher who have worked for more than 15 years in Talekoi elementary schoo. As the teachers’ struggle for learning-teaching process during pandemic, there is no internet access in remote areas where they work. The Covid-19 and government’s instructions made things two times more difficult for teachers; both technically and economically. The indigenous communities have been going a hard time because of the pandemic, and education system has not provided a solution for students in remote areas. This is a story about hope and resilience of the communities, where the teachers with support from Ranu Welum Foundation, trying to create an alternative learning tool which is applicable even without internet support.

KAHARAPEN, means ‘whom we can rely on’. Emmanuela decided to make it as the title of the film as she believed that younger generation, the students in that village, are ones who will shape the future of Kalimantan. “They are our kaharapen. Older generation will pass away and they are the hopes for the future. We have to rely on them and invest in them. That’s also the very reason why we created this Smart Voice tool as a solution. Even in the pandemic, the kids deserve to get proper education,” said Emmanuela.

The film was premiered in Talekoi on 10th April 2021 and attended by the villagers. They were so happy to see their own faces on the big screen. “Not only the learning kit is good, but the film is also telling a very important story. It gives us platform to tell what is in our heart and our situation here,” said Herianto, the main character in the film.

KAHARAPEN will be released online via Ranu Welum Youtube Channel on May 16 2021, in celebration of Ranu Welum 5th anniversary.