Teenagers awarded for exemplary social service<\/p>\n
A. Junaidi, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Three teenagers have proven to the nation that despite their
\nyoung age, they have been able -- probably even more so than
\nadults -- to inspire other young people to overcome adversity and
\nmove toward a better life.<\/p>\n
Esthi Maryanti Epaenim from Ambon dedicated herself to helping
\nher friends continue their studies during the clashes between
\nMuslims and Christians in the Maluku province. She started her
\nsocial work in 2001 when Muslims and Christians were still
\nkilling one another.<\/p>\n
The 16-year-old Muslim girl collected books and other school
\nmaterials from donors and distributed them to students in the
\ncity, regardless of their religion. While remaining disciplined
\nin her school activities, in her capacity as the speaker of
\nMaluku Child Parliament, she also campaigned for the protection
\nof children in the violence.<\/p>\n
Supported by her parents, Esthi, who is also active as a
\nHIV\/AIDS counselor in her school, has set up a small library in
\nher home for children who cannot continue their studies.<\/p>\n
\"I'm lucky that I can still go to school. Many children in our
\nregion can't go to school because of the prolonged conflicts,\"
\nsaid the eldest daughter of parents who are both teachers in a
\npress meeting together with the two other youths.<\/p>\n
Along with Syarifah Amelia, 14, from Bangka-Belitung, and
\nTeguh Rahardjo, 16, from Yogyakarta, she was named on Wednesday
\nas a recipient of the Youth Leader Award 2004 from the United
\nNations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Office of the State
\nMinister for Women's Empowerment.<\/p>\n
Each of them received Rp 5 million (US550) from Bank Niaga in
\na savings account and a Rp 2 million cheque from PT Astra CMG
\nLife insurance.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri will confer the awards on the
\nyoung people in conjunction with National Children's Day on July
\n23.<\/p>\n
\"I will use the money I have received to expand my library,\"
\nsaid Esthi, who will complete her studies at Senior High School
\n(SMU) 11 next year.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Amelia, a first-year student of state-run SMU I in
\nTanjungpandan district, Belitung regency, has been campaigning
\nfor children's rights, especially the right to education, for two
\nyears since becoming active in the Women's Empowerment and Child
\nProtection Institute.<\/p>\n
\"I see many children who can't go to school because they have
\nto work. If you eat the famous salted fish from Bangka-Belitung,
\nit was dried by children,\" said the 14-year-old Amelia.<\/p>\n
Working with a local non-governmental organization, Amelia
\ncampaigns to help poor children get education, and even to get a
\nfree birth certificate.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Teguh, a third-year student of state-run vocational
\nschool SMK 3, promised to step up his work to campaign for
\nchildren's protection. He participated in last year's children's
\ncongress.<\/p>\n
Teguh, who has been involved in the campaign for three years,
\nread a resolution on the importance of protecting children to the
\nHouse of Representatives last year.<\/p>\n
\"But it seemed that they just listened to the resolution but
\nthere was no will to implement it. However, we will keep talking
\nabout the importance of child protection,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The three were selected from among 52 children from 15
\nprovinces who had been nominated by NGOs. The selection involved
\nNGO representatives, teenagers, public figures and government
\ninstitutions.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/teenagers-awarded-for-exemplary-social-service-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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