A drawing can tell of huge pain

A drawing can tell of huge pain

JAKARTA (JP): When can warring groups come together? When
there is a need to examine the vast human costs on both sides,
says sociologist Imam Prasodjo.

The sociologist joined some journalist on a trip to Maluku,
where dozens of children in refugee camps were given pencil and
paper to draw with.

The children's drawings -- only a few of which are published
here -- lend a glimpse of the experiences with which all these
children, whether Christian or Muslim, will likely have to live
with all their lives.

Both boys and girls drew arrows raining down, homes on fire,
battles with swords and bazookas, body parts and onlooking adults
and children.

"There's something strange in some of the pictures," Imam told
journalists. "The other side loses the most victims while in the
particular incident (which they experienced) this was not what
happened."

He cited a psychologist who said that the young victims had
turned into actors in their drawings.

An exchange of letters between the young victims and Jakarta
school children was facilitated by the Nurani Dunia (World
Conscience) Foundation -- which Imam helped set up -- to assist
victims of violence. In their letters, the children told stories
of conflict.

A few groups have started the long-term work of focusing on
the unseen pains of children in Maluku and other parts of the
country's ravaged areas. (anr)