Indo Idaho's Bahasa Indonesia Class Explores the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

Our day began at the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, the organization responsible for constructing and maintaining the memorial. Here, two dedicated docents introduced the significance of human rights and the importance of treating everyone with kindness and respect. The center's mission to promote respect for human dignity and diversity through education resonated deeply with our objectives.

Following the introduction, we embarked on a guided walk to the life-size bronze statue of Anne Frank. This poignant sculpture depicts Anne pulling back an imaginary curtain, symbolizing her view from the family's attic hiding place in Amsterdam.

Along the way, the tour guide highlighted various quotes etched into the memorial's walls, featuring words from human rights leaders across the globe. Students were encouraged to translate these English quotes into Bahasa Indonesia, fostering both language development and a deeper connection to the messages of hope and resilience.

Exploring the Tunnel: Transforming Hate into Art

One of the most impactful parts of our visit was exploring the nearby tunnel, which had previously been defaced with hateful graffiti. Instead of erasing these marks, the community, lead by Addie Boswell, transformed the space into a canvas for beautiful art, turning symbols of hate into expressions of hope and unity. Her artistic design, titled E. Pluribus Unum or Out of Many, One , was finished with the help of community, including children and also passerbies.

This transformation served as a powerful lesson for our students on how negativity can be converted into positive action.

Throughout the memorial, students engaged in activities designed to enhance their Bahasa Indonesia proficiency. They practiced asking and answering questions about personal information—such as name, address, age, and origin—drawing parallels between their own lives and Anne Frank's story. This contextual learning approach made the language lessons more relatable and impactful.



Reflecting on a Unique Experience

Notably, the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is the only Anne Frank memorial in the United States, making our visit a unique opportunity to connect with global history on a local level. The memorial not only commemorates Anne Frank's legacy but also catalyzes discussions on human rights and personal responsibility.

This field trip successfully combined cultural education with language learning, providing our students with a holistic educational experience. By exploring the memorial, they not only improved their Bahasa Indonesia skills but also gained a profound understanding of the importance of empathy, unity, and standing up against injustice.