Suffering from a loss figure of the leader was very hard feeling. Moreover, the figure was always give a spirit and stand besides in dedication day-to-day in SOS Children’s Village in Indonesia. Nowaday, he has no longer with us, gave over so many precious things and never forget remembrances. Mr. Agus Prawoto, a pioneer, the founder of SOS Desa Taruna Indonesia (SOS-Kinderdorf Indonesia) has passed away with peacefulness, left behind the family, relative, and all children who loves him very much also.Pak Agus (Mr. Agus), I always call Dr. Agus Prawoto, is an unpretentious and charismatic figure. He always emphasized the importance of love and affection mean that follow by given dedication integrity to all children in need. He never tired with convey above to anyone in caring and closely assist in order that SOS Mother and all educator be obtained forwarding to all children in daily life. On the other hand, Mr. Agus has always known as the nearest one to children. He always pays attention what children wanted in SOS Desa Taruna. For example, although only once came to SOS Desa Taruna Meulaboh when The Opening Ceremony in last June 2008, Mr. Agus was still wanted to play and taken a picture with children here. Whereas of the age of him by then, it is possible for him to turn away by reason his tired or take a rest. By then we could understanding of the situation also. But wisely, he was still wanted to play with children in Meulaboh and take a picture together.
“It’s allright Yudi, I’am happy here gather around like this.”
Thus, Mr.Agus was responded to me with his special and cooling smile, at the same time keep on playing with children while embracing, holding hand, and draw out his cloth, etc. He was cheer smile up that still showed to them as affection integrity which always teached to us. What a nice example that we have to do.Mr. Agus Prawoto has familiar as a focus person and consistence figure with his dedications. Possitive matters was most valuable lesson which always teached to SOS Mothers, educators, and co-workers by him consistently. He always extend many good practices, touching, and powering everyone so as to receptive and came to the same thing. He had achieved outstanding result for changing people through this which can be obtained to everybody, especially to all children in need.
Dedication in SOS Desa Taruna is quite enough unique, but it is not difficult to be done. In this case, it’s require enthusiasm, integrity, and willingness to do the best for children. Stand besides SOS Mother is one of the main thing in SOS Desa Taruna because it is our affection realization for children in the manner of being a good partner to SOS Mother. When SOS Mother striking a snag in guidance her child, there is a father figure which always helping out her dedication in the village. Also the children’s approach and give as advise attentively so that the children went over to a better possitive manner. So that is the one of Dr. Agus Prawoto’s trusteeship in every moment regular meeting with us. He always got themselves as a good listener but become a good care adviser and counsellor also.“Yudi, I trust you basicly. All children will be happy with you here. And so the SOS Mother, they will give love and affection with integrity which closely assist by you, and all educator assistance also.”
Thus, Mr. Agus Prawoto said to me, how he had ingrained love and affection optimiscally, and also stand besides to all children and SOS Mother, right across when I having had too much of tired and confusion, he closely assist reinforcing me. He was here directing and empowering spirit, even only by phone.However, at the moment everybody has already put in order step, especialy me, which deserved to SOS Desa Taruna, apparently the will of God another one. Nowadays, He passed away. Perhaps, this is a wisdom which we have to “read” as the saying is in the proverb:
“Gajah mati meninggalkan gading, harimau mati meninggalkan belang, manusia mati meninggalkan nama.” (mean: Elephant died leave ivory behind, Tiger died leave stripe behind, man died leave name behind).
This proverb is occur to him. Mr. Agus Prawoto had leave well reputed name behind. After he passed away, so many things reminder by him. So many wisdom, positive charged, courtesy value, love, firmness, dedication, affection, care, and all many more which could be discover in our next step future.We’re all now has a heavy heart, we’re all suffer from a loss his figure. However, our next step is continue his struggle which left to guard in any one of our shoulder. But you have no anxious about this, his cooling smile will always embellish our mind in tight or ease.
Dr. Agus Prawoto had spread many love and affection, give an extraordinary guidance and care to all SOS children in Indonesia. Stand beside SOS Mother and all educator for giving love and affection devoutly, and ingrained many positive matters also. May God give tranguillity and restfulness for the late, Dr. Agus Prawoto. Also strength and firmness for the family. Amin.
PS: Farewell Mr. Agus Prawoto, we’ll always remember you…!
Meulaboh, January 20th, 2009
Yudi Kartiwa
Meulaboh, January 20th, 2009
Yudi Kartiwa
Foot Note:
Dr. Agus Prawoto, Mr., has passed away with peacefulness on Tuesday, Januari 20th, 2009, at 11.45 AM, Borromeus Hospital, Bandung. He's a pioneer, he's a founder of SOS Desa Taruna Indonesia (SOS-Kinderdorf Indonesia). First SOS Children's Village in Indonesia built in Lembang by Dr. Agus Prawoto, on February 17th, 1972 and first in the world built in Imst, Austria, by Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, on 1949.
