Pondok Rahmat Childrens Home

In May 2008 LEAP and Yayasan Indo Jiwa (YIJ) were introduced to the Pondok Rahmat Children's Home in Guningsitoli, Nias. Pondok Rahmat is home to between 30 and 40 children at a time who have either lost parents due to the 2005 earthquake or poor health or come from economically disadvantaged families.

Pastor Agus Farasi and his wife Liana take responsibility for all of the needs of these children physical, spiritual, emotional and social, including paying all their educational costs. Once the children graduate from senior high school they are assisted to find work or scholarships to further education. What is so special about this children's home is they operate like a family, teaching the children life skills and how to care for their family for the future.

LEAP/ YIJ have been assisting Pondok Rahmat financially as well as practically by bringing groups from the Holidays with Purpose programme to assist with maintenance, medical and educational projects. YIJ is currently working with the Panti assisting them to become more self sufficient.




LEAP School Sponsorship Program

Getting an education in Nias is regarded as a privilege and not yet as a
basic human right. The families here are faced with many obstacles when it comes to educating their children including lack of finances, distance from schools and even parents that still believe it is not important. Ensuring the children get an education is giving them a head start in life. Giving them the tools to lift themselves up out of poverty and creating long term sustainable changes for a generation. That’s is why LEAP has decided to get behind the Children’s home 100% and you can help by sponsoring a child, for just AUS $30 a month you will be helping a child meet all their basic needs.

If your interested in sponsoring a child please contact us at
leapin@gmail.com for further details.

Dental Clinic at the Children's Home


Sponsors are invited to have input into the children's lives by writing letters, and through prayer. However we do ask that no gift are sent specifically for the child, unless it can be shared among the children or is enough for everyone. Sponsors are welcome to take the opportunity to visit their sponsored child here in Nias as LEAP is in the process of obtaining funding to build a bungalow beside the Children’s Home for visitors. Or by coming as a HWP quest you will get to spend at least a day at the Children’s Home with the children. For more information of the HWP program please visit www.holidayswithpurpose.com.


Children Needing Sponsorship


Name: Agato Asamawa Waruwa
Age: 8
Birthday: 22 May 2001
Home Village: Bawona’uru
Hobbies: swimming

Agato is the 2nd of 6 siblings. The school in his village was not very good as the teacher only came when she felt like it so he was learning very little. His family are rubber farmers and could not afford to send him away to school so Agato came to the Panti last month. Agato is a playful, helpful boy who wants to be a policeman when he finishes school.
Agato has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly


Name: Temasokhi Giawa (Tema)
Age: 7
Birthday: 29 June 2002
Home Village: Ambukha
Hobbies: swimming.

Tema has 5 brothers and sisters, 2 of which are at the Panti, Mani and Ucok. His parents are rice farmers but their village is too far to go to school and they can’t afford it so he came to the Panti last month starting class 1 of elementary school. Tema wants to become a policeman like his good friend Agato. He is a quiet boy that is always smiling.
Tema has been sponsored by Anders Ahman


Name: Aluiziduhu Giawa (Ucok)
(His sister is Mani and younger brother is Tema)
Age: 10
Birthday: 4/01/99
Village name: Ambukha
Hobbies: Football and table tennis.

Sadly there was no place for Ucok at the Panti so his parents left him with the next door neighbours and they sent him to school. But they worked him really hard and because he was so young and could not work hard enough they sent him home. So Pastor Agus took him and his younger brother in even though they did not have the room. Alui is very funny and cute and is now in grade 4 at elementary school (SD) doing really well.
Ucok has been sponsored by Anders Ahman



Name: Fatimani Giawa (Mani)
Age: 12
Birthday: 2/06/97
Village name: Ambukha
Hobbies: Reading and swimming.
Mani came to the Panti after the earthquake. Her parents are chocolate farmers and very poor, they can hardly manage to feed their 5 children let alone educate them. Mani is very smart, quiet, friendly, honest and hardworking. She is the oldest of 5 and is now going into grade 5 of elementary school (SD). Mani’s younger brothers Tema and Ucok have recently joined her at the Panti.
Mani has been sponsored by Anders Ahman



Name: Nurhayati Nduru (Yanti)
Age: 6
Birthday: 8 June 2003
Home Vilage: Pulau Asu
Hobbies: drawing, reading and walking

Yanti has been attending our Asu Coconut Kids for the last 2 years with her younger brother Henri. Tragically their father died of TB at the beginning of this year, leaving their mother, who has had no education herself, to look after 4 children on her own. Their mother now sees the importance of education and so was the first of the Asu families to agree to send her children to the Panti. So after graduating in July at the Kid’s Club Yanti joined her older sister Besti at the Panti, starting elementary school class 1.Yanti is not sure what she wants to be yet, but says she will tell us when she knows. She is a very happy girl who is always active and friendly.
Yanti has been sponsored by Christina Venables and Tash Humberstone



Name: Besti Lestari Nduru
Age: 9
Birthday: 23 May 1999
Home Village: Pulau Asu
Hobbies: reading, walking and playing the guitar.

Besti is Yantis’s older sister and their mother having lost her first 2 children is now the oldest child. Besti could not wait to come to school and has just finished her first term at the Panti getting first place in her class (the class champion). She is now in class 2 of elementary school and is extremely clever. She is always well presented, tidy and sweet natured. Besti wants to become a teacher when she finishes school.
Besti has been sponsored by Tiana De Senna Fernandes


Name: Marliani Hia (Yani)
Age: 9
Birthday: 26 April 1999
Home Village: Hilinawolo
Hobbies: colouring, walking and swimming

Yani has been at the Panti for 1 month now and is in class 1 of Elementary school. She comes from a family of 8 children of which 3 have died. Her father is a drunk and never brings any money home so her mother sent Yeni to the Panti to go to school and have fewer children to feed at home. Yani wants to be a teacher when she finishes school. Yani is brave, friendly and likes lots of attention.
Yani has been sponsored by Peter and Jill Hofman


Name: Fatalosa Zebua (Fato)
Age: 12
Birthday: 23/07/97
Village name: Tobalo- Gomo
Hobbies: football, table tennis and volleyball.

Fato is the 9th of 12 children. His parents are chocolate farmers but his father is a violent alcoholic and does not want to take care of the children. Fato is now in grade 5 of primary school (SD) and really wants to be a policeman when he grows up. He is a good, smart boy who is shy, truthful and responsible.
Fato has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly


Name: Serius Hatison Lase
Age: 13
Birthday: 12 January 1996
Home Village: Hiligodu
Hobbies: table tennis and chess

Serius's father died 5 years ago leaving 5 kids and their mother could not provide for them all, having no skills herself. So Serius and his sister Triyes were sent to the Panti 4 years ago. He starts junior high school (SMPN) class 1 this year and wants to join the army when he is older. Sirius is a self disciplined boy that likes to keep the kids in line.
Serius has been sponsored by Michael Kramer


Name: Triyes Lase
Age: 12
Birthday: 25 July 1997
Home Village: Hiligodu
Hobbies: Swimming, dancing and singing.

Triyes is Serius's younger sister, she has just graduated from primary school and is now in class 1 of Junior high. Triyes is a very happy and diligent girl with a great sense of humour. She is always found singing and dancing with a smile on her face. Triyes aims to become a doctor when she grows up.
Triyes has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly



Name: Lenifebriani Gea (Leni)
Age: 12
Birthday: 3 February 1998
Village Name: Onowembo
Hobbies: Swimming, walking and playing with best friend Tries

Leni has four siblings and because her father died when she was very small her mother made her work from age 4 cooking and looking after her younger sister. She was badly burnt at age 4 while cooking for the family and the scars can be seen on her legs and side. Leni has been at the Panti for 4 years with 2 of her siblings, 1 has graduated and is now working in Medan and her brother was sent home because he was too naughty. She is currently in elementary school (SD) grade 6 and wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Leni is diligent, hard working, playful and friendly.
Leni has been sponsored by Anders Ahman


Name: Dermawan Susanto (Santo)
Age: 14
Birthday: April 1995
Home Village: Gomo
Hobbies: keyboard, music and painting.

Santo’s father is a Pastor who works as a rubber farmer as well to support his family. However there is no school in or close to their village making it too expensive to access. Santo is the 3rd of 6 children; his older brothers are at a Panti in Jakarta so he feels lucky to be closer to home. Santo is very brave, independent and a good public speaker who hopes to be a Pastor likes his father when he finishes school.
Santo has been sponsored by Anders Ahman


Name: Noberius Gea (Nobe)
Age: 15
Birthday: 14 February 1994 (Valentine Baby)
Home Village: Ombalata
Hobbies: badminton, volleyball, football, table tennis and practicing his English.

Nobe comes from a very poor family and his parents are now sick so they can’t work to support their 8 children. There is no high school in their village so Nobe could not continue his education. But now he has been at the Panti for 1 month and is in Class 1 of Senior high school (SMK). Nobe is a very brave and helpful boy who is a good leader and example for the other boys. He dreams of becoming an English teacher and is already making a huge effort to learn English.
Nobe has been sponsored by Anders Ahman


Name: Yabes Ndraha
Age: 16
Birthday: 8 January 1993
Home Village: Ombalata
Hobbies: volleyball and table tennis

Yabes father dies last month after being sick for a long time. His parents were rubber farmers now his mother is doing it alone. He comes from the same village as Sozi and Nobe where there is no senior school. He had not been going until this opportunity opened up for him at the Panti so he is now in class one of Senior high. He really wants to become a doctor when he finishes school. Yabes really enjoys music, is very quiet and well presented.
Yabes has been sponsored by Matt Blakers


Name: Soziama Ndraha (Sozi)
Age: 17
Birthday: 20 May 1992
Home Village: Ombalata
Hobbies: volleyball and badminton

Sozi comes from family of rubber farmers and is the 4th child of 6. Sozi came to the Panti along with 3 other boys from his village as they have no senior high school there and his family could not afford to send him anyway to school. Sozi is a hard worker who likes to get the work done. He is a very kind and quiet boy who aims to become a policeman when he finished school.



Name: Putra Kasihan Lawolo
Age: 12
Birthday: 14/02/97
Village name: Hiliseba
Hobbies: swimming, football and walking.

Putra came to the Panti 4 years ago because his village is too far away to get to school. His parents have 8 children and being only subsistence farmers can’t afford to give their children an education.
Putra is going into grade 5 at (SD) junior high and wants to join the army when finishes. He is a good natured boy who likes to work with his hands.
Putra has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly


Name: Maranatha Gea
Age: 13
Birthday: 18 June 1996
Home Village: Awa’ai
Hobbies: watching TV and volleyball

When Nata was 2 years old his father died making him an only child. His mother is a rubber farmer and has not remarried because she says loves her son too much. Sadly Nata could not stay in his village because there is no school there. He is now in class 2 at junior school at the Panti. Nata is very inquisitive and friendly, he loves to learn and wants to be a maths teacher when he finishes school.



Name: Juni Setia Iman Farasi
Age: 22
Birthday: 16 March 1987
Home village: Orahili lewuoguru
Hobbies: walking, reading and badminton

Juni is the 3rd child of 6 children. She has been at the Panti for 4 years and is now in her 2nd year of college studying to be a lawyer. Juni also works as a Kindergarten teacher to bring in money. She is very helpful and a mother figure to the younger girls. Juni has a very good character; she is always happy and works hard. She is very intelligent, helpful and a good example to all the children.
Juni has been sponsored by Danielle Le Lagadec

Photo of Jernih to come
Name: Jernih Budianti Farasi
Age: 15
Birthday: 23 November 1993
Hobbies: Cooking, Sewing and reading

Jernih is Juni's younger sister and is now in class 1 Senior High school (SMK) studying skills.
Jernih is a hard worker and is always happy.
Jernih has been sponsored by Danielle Le Lagadec


Name: Tuty Mariani Gulo (Tuti)
Age: 14
Birthday: 9/05/95
Village name: Tulumbaho
Hobbies: badminton, swimming and reading.

Both Tuty’s parents are rubber farmers but school is too far from their village and they can’t afford or access reliable transport. Tuty is now in grade 3 of Junior High (SMPN) after being at the Panti for 4 years and wants to become a teacher. Tuty is an independent girl who likes to sing and play guitar.
Tuti has been sponsored by Clinton Hofman


Name: Juliani Gea (Juli)
Age: 11
Birthday: 7 May 1998
Home Village: Onowembo
Hobbies: Singing and playing the guitar

Juli sadly comes from an abusive home, where her father is a drunk and would hit her mother and the children and lock them in the house. Juli is the oldest of 7 children and came to the Panti 4 years ago (just after the earthquake). When she first came to the Panti she was very scared and shy and would not come out of her room, but now is beginning to come out of her shell. She has just finished grade 4 of junior school and hopes to be a junior school teacher.
Juli has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly



Name: Fatilia Waruwa (Fabe)
Age: 10
Birthday: 14/11/98
Village name: Gomo
Hobbies: swimming and badminton.

Fabe has been at the Panti 4 years now and is in grade 4 of primary school (SD). His parents are subsistence rice farmers and could only afford to send 2 of their 8 children to school. So to get an education Fabe had to come to the Panti. He wants to be a policeman when he finishes school. Fabe is very brave and strong willed. He is a bit difficult at times as likes to play a lot but is improving and getting smarter.



Name: Paulinus Gea (Linus)
Age: 13
Birthday: 31/08/95
Village name: Onowembo
Hobbies: music, painting, swimming and English

Linus is one of 7 children and his parents who are farmers could only afford to send 3 children to school. He has been at the Panti for 4 years now and is in class 3 at junior high (SMPN). Linus is bright, talented, funny and confident and hopes to work with computers when he gets older.
Linus has been sponsored by Danielle Le Lagadec


Name: Efata Gulo (Efa)
Age: 14
Birthday: 5/06/95
Village name: Tuhembecua –Moi
Hobbies: badminton and table tennis

Efa is the last of 7 children, coming from a very violent village where frequent murderers over land take place. His parents are rubber farmers but school is too far away to get to. Efa is in 2nd year of junior high, class 3 (SMPN) and wants to work with computers when he finishes. He is a shy and gentle boy who is very helpful.
Efa has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly



Name: Mesrani Gea (Mesra)
Age: 15
Birthday: 17 March 1994
Village name: Onowembo
Hobbies: guitar, swimming and walking

Mesra’s father died 6 years ago and having 7 children her mother could not afford to send them to school. Mesra and one of her sisters were lucky enough to come to the Panti, where they have been for 3 years now. Her older sister graduated and is now at Bible College in Medan. Mesra is about to start senior high and dreams of becoming a biology teacher. She is a quiet, diligent, clean and orderly girl who is a very good cook.
Mesra has been sponsored by Danielle Le Lagadec


Name: Yuslin Nazara
Aged: 17
Birthday: 10 April 1993
Village name: Tuhemberua
Hobbies: Reading, football and walking.

Yuslin came to the Panti 4 years ago because the school in his village was destroyed after the earthquake. His father died 11 years ago leaving 11 children of which their mother could only afford to educate 4. He is a quiet responsible boy and going into his 2nd last year of school wants to be an English teacher.



Name: Ebeniwati Gulo (Eben)
Age: 18
Birthday: 10 October 1990
Home Village: Bulusa
Hobbies: swimming and walking

Ebeni is the 2nd of 9 children. Her father is a Pastor but in order to survive he must work as a rubber farmer. He could not afford to send her to senior high so she came to the Panti. She is going into her last year of senior high now and wants to study production of produce and become a pastor like her dad. Her hobbies are swimming (although she can’t swim) and walking. Eben is very hard working and responsible, overseeing the vegetable garden at the Panti and doing a brilliant job.
Eben has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly



Name: Faatulo Gulo (Faa)
Age: 18
Birthday: 30 September 1991
Home Village: Lolowau
Hobbies: football and table tennis

Faa is the last of 6 children so his parents could not afford to send him to school. He began being schooled by an Islamic couple until he could come to the Panti where his older sister was a bible school student before. Faa has now been here 4 years and has just finished senior high school. He got a job at a factory in Gunisitoli for a month and gave all the money he earnt straight to the Panti. Faa is a good natured boy, hard working, very polite, kind, happy and friendly. Faa wants to become a Pastor and work around the Island of Nias. A HWP guest for is a Pastor in Australia has offered to mentor him and put him through bible college in Australia. Therefore sponsorship for Faa would help cover his airfares and course.



Name: Semar Gea
Age: 18
Village name: Hiligara
Hobbies: Football, table tennis and reading.

Semar’s father died a few years ago and his mother ran away, leaving 4 school aged children to fend for themselves. All the children have been at the Panti for almost 3 years now with 2 having graduated recently. Semar has one year of school left and his dream is to become an English teacher. Despite his photo here,he is a gentle natured boy who is extremely helpful and a father figure for the boys.
Semar has been sponsored by Shane and Lindsay Rielly