‘Teman gambar’ means ‘drawing friend’. Based on the pen-pal experience many people around the world remember from childhood, Asialink resident Elly Kent and Tlatah Bocah collaborated to implement a creative exchange. The exchange aimed to connect children who in Indonesia and children in Australian primary schools. Our original exchange focussed on children who were evacuated during the devastating eruptions of Mt Merapi in late 2010;  it was a wonderful way for Australian children to show support and care for their Teman Gambar. In Australia, over 500 children participated.

Drawing by Bayu from Muntilan

Drawing by Maddy from Tallangatta

Drawing by Emily from Tallangatta

Drawing at the village head’s house in Sumber

Still strong

Drawing by Dendi in Tangkil

Drawings arrive in Sumber

Drawings arrive in Tutup Ngisol, December 2010

Drawings Arrive in Sumber

Drawings Arrive in Sumber

Drawing by Angela, Tangkil

Three starts from Muntilan

Drawing by Isnaeni from Sumber

Drawing by Yudit from Tangkil

Drawing by Michael from Tallangatta

Drawing by Agus from Tangkil

Drawing by Dan from Tallangatta

Making drawings to send back to Australia

Gunawan explaining the drawings to kids in Sumber

Making drawings to send back to Australia

What people came home to months after the eruption.