Children hold out hope for others in misery

Children hold out hope for others in misery

JAKARTA (JP): She did not know them personally but Meliyana,
12, penned a letter to children in Ambon, Maluku.

"Hello friends, how are you doing there? Is it bad or good
news? I understand that you have experienced terrible things. My
deepest sympathy for that. Let me ask you something which I
wonder myself; what do they really want?"

The girl nicknamed Meli introduced herself, told about her
family, her activities and her likes and dislikes.

She encouraged her new friends to unite and support others
despite the sectarian violence which has raged in the area since
January 1999.

"I know most of you are unable to go to school anymore. You
must be very disappointed about it. I pray for you. Always stick
together and I hope you can continue your studies soon ..."

Together with dozens of other children in Jakarta, Meli
sent the letters to children in areas of the country blighted by
natural or manmade disasters. They include Ambon, the now
independent territory of East Timor, Sambas in West Kalimantan,
Aceh and Bengkulu, which was hit in June by a strong earthquake.
The activities are organized by the National Commission for Child
Protection (Komnas PA), who send the letters to the refugee
camps.

The response has been encouraging, said the commission's
executive director, Arist Merdeka Sirait.

He said the children could communicate better with their peers
than adults could. They could also express themselves better
through writing because they might be afraid to speak directly to
other people.

Sirait said that through the communication, Komnas PA was able
to reunite several children with their parents in Atambua.

"In Atambua, we are concentrating on children separated from
their families. By replying to letters from other children, they
can tell more about themselves. Then we can find those who are
separated from their families."

He said the correspondence -- with letters from children in
school and others who are working, including street children --
would be published in a book.

He said few understood the plight of children who were victims
of violence.

"From the psychosocial point of view, because they are
children who are usually still fragile, they can bear resentment
and cause disorder."

The commission attempted to set up trauma centers as well as
schools housed in tents in the unrest-torn areas. The trauma
centers were established in Atambua, Buton in Southeast Sulawesi,
Ambon, Medan and Aceh. About 30 school tents are available in
Atambua in cooperation with other humanitarian organizations.

The commission also surmised that some of the children from
Timor were part of a trafficking ring, probably for prostitution.
It received information that several children were scattered in
Riau and other places which were traditionally part of a child
prostitution network.

"The worst impact from all of this is that we're going to lose
one generation. So it's not only malnutrition which may hamper
the nation," Arist said.

Violence in Maluku, Aceh, Ambon and Timor are plainly evident
examples of abuse of children, Arist said.

He added there were other forms of abuse, far from the
conflict zones, which people can see in everyday life. They
include physical abuse within the family, sexual abuse in the
family/extended family, emotional abuse and drug abuse.

He warned the country's politicians and elite must be careful
in making statements because it could be a form of emotional
violence.

"We can't blame people in Aceh, for instance, as several
members of the elite in power made very strong statements which
ignited violence in Aceh," Arist said.

Emotional abuse is not restricted to conflict-hit areas but is
also found in major cities like Jakarta.

"For example, as the educational curriculum is not enjoyable
for some students in the capital, they choose to brawl while they
also do not have a happy family life," he said.

They know the risks when they become involved in brawls, yet
they continue the violence, he added.

"This is dissatisfying. We know that 50 percent of Indonesia's
some 205 million population is aged under 18 years. Meanwhile,
Commission VII (on social affairs) of the House of
Representatives does not have any agenda to protect the
children," he said.

Arist said the commission was working hard on a draft of a
children's rights bill to be submitted to the government.

"Indonesia has actually ratified three conventions on
children's rights. These include the Convention of Children's
Rights, the ILO convention articles 138 and 182. The last one
focuses on the worst form of child labor and was recently
ratified by Indonesia by implementing the Law no. 1/2000 on Child
Labor."

Yet the nation has never paid serious attention to children,
he added.

Tens of thousands of children have been victims due to
violence. They have been wounded, left disabled, orphaned or
killed. Many languish in refugee camps lacking proper food,
shelter, health care and educational facilities. Most
importantly, they still live in fear because of the poor
protection from the state.

Meli and other children, however, have not forgotten them.

"Friends, I read the newspapers and watch television about
your situation. I can't do anything but send you this letter.
Also, I don't know what to do to stop the violence. Do they know
about peace? I only give you my sympathy and pray for you to be
always strong ... Sincerely, your friend."