Since 2018, Rahayu has officially been assigned to Tobelo, Halmahera Utara District, Maluku Utara Province. She came from Ambon, Maluku Province (about 600 km from Tobelo) based on an assignment letter placing her in one of the elementary schools in Tobelo. A year later, in 2019, the placement was reinforced by a definitive decree from the Regent of Halmahera Utara.
But the journey didn’t stop there. In 2022, she was transferred to an inpres primary school for nine months, before being reassigned back to a school in Tobelo.
“My journey moving from one school to another has been quite long,” recalled Rahayu.
“But in each school I learned a lot, and all of it strengthened me as a teacher,” she added.
From Confused to Becoming a Partner
When she first heard about the Program of KREASI, Rahayu admitted she was confused.
“I was still wondering, what exactly is KREASI? Even the acronym wasn’t clear at the time. But after learning more, I realized that KREASI is a collaboration for education development, especially in Halmahera Utara. From there, I understood that there’s a partner willing to walk alongside us teachers,” she said.
For Rahayu, the program became a turning point. Before knowing KREASI, her teaching method was still conventional. Teaching meant delivering material according to the textbook, with lectures and minimal discussion. But she noticed that children often struggled to think critically. Math, in particular, was often dreaded.
“In the past, when it was math class, many students would suddenly complain of being sick or find excuses to skip. I felt that the methods I used weren’t making them comfortable,” she admitted.
Numeracy That Opened Her Eyes
When Rahayu began participating in training with KREASI facilitators, she started to understand that mathematics was not just numbers and formulas, but about how children could connect those concepts with everyday life.
One memorable experience was when she applied the “buddy system” method for counting. The children became much more enthusiastic.
“They said, ‘Teacher, with this method it’s so quick!’ I was touched seeing those who used to be reluctant now asking for more exercises,” she said with a smile.
She also experienced a shift in teaching multiplication. Previously, children only memorized without truly understanding. With methods gained from KREASI, she used concrete media. Children arranged objects to grasp place values—from ones, tens, to hundreds.
“Learning became both fun and meaningful. They weren’t just playing, but really understanding the concept,” she said.
A Touch for Students Left Behind
There was one moment that deeply moved her. Rahayu had a student with below-average intellectual ability. At first, she often felt hopeless.
“As a human, sometimes I wondered, why can’t this child do it while others can? But then I realized, maybe the method wasn’t right,” she said softly.
After joining KREASI, she tried peer mentoring. She asked one of the students who had understood the lesson to accompany the struggling child, while she facilitated. Slowly, the child began to understand.
“I got goosebumps. The child who previously couldn’t, actually could—when given the right approach. That was a big lesson for me,” she revealed.
Becoming a Facilitator, Not Just a Teacher
Now, Rahayu no longer positions herself as the all-knowing figure. She chooses to be a facilitator—a learning partner for her students.
“I want them to feel free to express their opinions without fear of being wrong. If they face difficulties, I don’t immediately give the answer, but ask guiding questions so they can find solutions themselves,” she explained.
For Rahayu, this mindset shift is the greatest gift from KREASI.
“I realized that teaching is not about making children memorize, but about helping them understand and connect lessons with their daily lives,” she said.
A Message to Fellow Teachers
Rahayu hopes more teachers will partner with KREASI.
“For me, KREASI is a partner that truly helps. It has not only changed my way of teaching but also transformed me as a person. I’ve become more patient, more reflective, and more creative in accompanying the children,” she shared.
She also has a special message for teachers in Halmahera Utara, where student characteristics are diverse:
“This program offers many benefits. If we’re truly willing to open ourselves, there will surely be change,” she emphasized.
Hopes for the Future
“I hope this program continues to grow, especially in strengthening teacher capacity. Literacy and numeracy have gone well, but in the future, there should be other programs aligned with national policies so that education in Halmahera Utara can advance further,” she expressed.
From her long journey, one thing is certain: for Rahayu Leimena, being a teacher is not just a profession, but a calling. And with KREASI, she has found a new way to serve—more enjoyable, more meaningful, and undoubtedly more impactful for the future of children in Halmahera Utara.
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The Program of KREASI or Kolaborasi untuk Edukasi Anak Indonesia (Collaboration for the Education of Indonesian Children) is being implemented by Save the Children with Wahana Visi Indonesia and support by the Government of Halmahera Utara. KREASI aims to improve the quality of education in Halmahera Utara by strengthening teaching, learning, and student development.
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Writer: Samsudin A.S Kuylo; Editor: Andika Ramadhan
Photo: Samsudin A.S Kuylo/KREASI/Wahana Visi Indonesia/Save the Children