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)