'I have to work during the long school holiday'

'I have to work during the long school holiday'

The school holidays have just started for some students, while
the rest will have their days off shortly. Many students will
participate in a variety of activities to make the most of the
holiday. Unfortunately, some students will not be able to enjoy
the holiday due to financial constraints -- they will even have
to work to support their parents. Some of them spoke to The
Jakarta Post about the holiday.

Ahmad, 12, is a fourth-year student at a private elementary
school in Kramat, Central Jakarta. He lives in Cikini, Central
Jakarta, with his family:

I'll do a lot as usual, as on other days when it isn't a
holiday. I mean, I'll play a lot with my friends and also work
for money.

One thing, for sure, is that I'll work as a street musician,
as I usually do after school. Besides, I'll also work as a
parking attendant, to earn a little money from the parking fees.

I'd like to spend my leisure time during the school holiday
playing soccer and swimming. However, those activities are not
free.

I have to pay Rp 500 to play soccer with friends, yet I don't
know where the money goes. It costs Rp 2,100 to go swimming.

I have no choice but to work to make money. Usually, I save it
up on weekdays so as to be able to play on Sunday.

I can't rely on my parents' generosity to give me pocket money
because I know they struggle hard for the whole family.

I even have to share my earnings with my parents, who do not
have permanent jobs. My father is a temporary worker and my
mother is just a housewife.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the long holiday because I
don't have to go to school!

Acong, 12, is fifth-year student at a private elementary
school in Senen, Central Jakarta. He lives in Kali Pasir, Central
Jakarta, with his family:

I don't think I plan to do anything special during the
upcoming holiday. There's no great difference between school days
and days off for me.

I usually work as a shoe-polish boy every day after school,
till late at night. It means that during the holiday I will work
for longer than usual.

I'm not sad because this is my daily routine. Anyway, I can
play with my friends every day while working to earn a little
money.

Normally, I can earn around Rp 10,000, or at least Rp 5,000 a
day. From these earnings, I'll spend about half on snacks and
meals at work. The rest is for my parents.

My father is a car washer and my mother washes clothes for my
neighbors. They don't give me any pocket money normally, let
alone for the holiday.

I have to earn money myself. Perhaps I'll also spend some time
at night, if I'm not too tired, studying in preparation for the
next school year.

Beby, 17, is second-year student at a state senior high school
in Central Jakarta. She lives in Palmerah, West Jakarta, with her
family:

I don't have any specific plans for the holiday. I'm just
happy at not having to wake up in the morning for school.

I'll spend most of my time at home with my family, most likely
watching TV and reading magazines.

My mother hasn't set aside any money for the school holiday.
Her food catering business is so sluggish now, she has
practically nothing to do. My father is unemployed.

I count on my mother's support financially, so I feel I must
sympathize with her currently unfortunate situation. Thus, it is
better for me to stay at home and help her with household chores,
while looking for any business opportunities.

I realize she has spent a lot of money on my education thus
far. I don't have the heart to ask her for more money right now
for hanging around with friends.

Anyway, I don't usually make any special plans, despite the
long school holiday, but I might go somewhere, like the shopping
mall, for example.

-- Leo Wahyudi S