Balinese kids urged to go back to school

Balinese kids urged to go back to school

JAKARTA (JP): "All children have a right to their lives, a
right to grow and to develop, and a right to participate in
social, cultural and family lives," according to a United Nations
convention on children's rights.

Aware that these rights frequently are denied and realizing
that an increasing number of Balinese children are leaving school
to work in Bali's capital of Denpasar, the local Satya Dharma
Foundation is organizing a two-day painting exhibition to help
raise funds for these children's school fees and basic needs.

Recent research conducted by the foundation shows that most of
the Balinese street children earn money by selling handicrafts to
pedestrians and motorists, or by selling newspapers at Kumbasari
Market, Puputan Badung Field, Matahari Department Store and the
post office located on Jl. Teuku Umar.

They can also be found on Jl. Nangka, Jl. Kartika, Jl.
Setiabudi and Jl. Gajah Mada, selling homemade goods and
products.

The hours these children work vary. School dropouts usually
work between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m., while those children who still go
to school work from 2 p.m until 7 p.m.

The money the school dropouts earn is usually given to their
parents to help support their families, while those children who
still go to school use the money for their school fees, giving
any remaining money to their parents.

Officials at the foundation say the money raised from the
exhibition, to be opened on May 25, will be used to finance a
"back to school" campaign, which will include collecting data on
the activities of street children and on-the-spot counseling and
assistance.

The foundation will seek support for its campaign from the
government, private organizations and other non-governmental
organizations which have similar concerns about the future of
children. (imn)