International children enjoy 'village,' defy political tension
International children enjoy 'village,' defy political tension
TANGERANG (JP): Children, on the whole, care less about
politics and more about friendship. That is what has driven
dozens of foreign children to join a month-long exchange program
in Serpong.
About 50 children from various countries, with an average age
of 11, have joined the Children's International Summer Village
(CISV) program conducted at the International German School, Bumi
Serpong Damai, Tangerang.
They are from Germany, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden
and Thailand.
However, children from the United States and Australia failed
to show up, simply because their governments had advised them not
to travel to Indonesia due to the unstable domestic political and
security situation.
The village program's committee chairwoman, Mira Wisendha,
admitted that the cancellation by the two delegations was made
based purely on the Indonesian political situation.
"Their governments had advised the delegations not to come
here because of the political situation. Their worries are
misinformed though," Mira said.
Mira's statement was supported by the leader of the German
delegation, Andrea Reiter and other participants.
Reiter said she knew about Indonesia's current political
tension from television and the internet.
"But after arriving here and staying here, it's not like what
we heard in the international media. Here it is so calm and
happy," Reiter told The Jakarta Post.
Johanne Rokne Altenau, an 11-year old girl from Norway, shared
the same view: "I'm not afraid about being far from home."
Altenau and other children, including Indonesian participants
were involved in various activities, ranging from staying in
Indonesian families to visiting places of interest such as Ancol
Dreamland, Sea World in North Jakarta and Safari Park in Puncak,
West Java.
On Sunday, the children performed traditional dances and songs
at the German School, which was open to the public. In addition,
the children performed a dance from West Sumatra and West Java's
Angklung traditional orchestra.
Noted communication expert from the University of Indonesia
Bachtiar Ali said the program aimed to educate children to become
more independent and aware of other cultures.
"The children will be able to understand other cultures and
achieve high self-esteem," Bachtiar said, whose son joined a
summer village in Sweden last year.
He hoped that such programs could involve more children,
including those from more modest backgrounds, to avoid
exclusivity.
Mira Wisendha acknowledged that, for the time being, the
village was joined by children from middle and upper class
families because it still required financial support from
parents.
Parents are at required to pay for the air tickets, while
meals, travel and accommodation costs in Indonesia are covered by
the local committee, CISV Indonesia.
"In the future, we hope we will be able to help children from
ordinary families to join the village," Mira said. (jun)