Over 800 kids gather for Happy Children's Day

JAKARTA (JP): Seven-year-old Fitri Santoso stood apart from more than a dozen of children lining up to join a game of "telegraph" at the Cibubur camping ground in East Jakarta yesterday.

Biting her handkerchief and eying the others wistfully, Fitri at first refused to join in the game, preferring to just watch.

"She finds it hard to make friends," Fitri's mother said of the girl, who spent most of her early years abroad while her father was pursuing his studies. "I'm hoping she'll make new friends here."

And, before long Fitri was indeed spotted laughing with several new friends.

Fitri was among some 800 children who joined the "Happy Children's Day" activities held by the Happy Mothers Moslem Foundation. Most of the children came with their parents, although a number of them were orphans.

The event was organized to provide children with an opportunity to spend a day outdoors engaging in healthy activities, as an alternative to being cooped up at home watching television.

"This event is for children, as well as their parents," foundation chairwoman Sitaresmi Soekanto said. "Most mothers and fathers today are too busy to find time for recreation with their children."

Among the activities held in the Rp 10 million (US$4,400) gathering were story-telling and a number of competitions.

For children from three to seven years, there were competitions in putting on their shoes and clothes and in saying simple prayers. For those above seven years, there were speaking competitions and contests in adzan, the art of calling people to prayer.

The admission charge for each child was Rp 3,500, but quite a number were let in for free.

Several parents told The Jakarta Post they welcomed the event, despite its venue on the edge of the city.

One mother who lives in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, said: "It's very interesting, especially for the mothers and the children. They can choose different games and join in various contests."

Besides, she added, all of the children, whether they won or lost in the games, were given souvenirs, so everybody was able to go home happy.

Some fathers complained about the distance and the lack of shelter when it began to pour with rain in the afternoon.

The event was the second to be organized by the foundation. The first, held last year, was participated in by some 500 children.

"Even mothers who work at home sometimes lack time to show their children affection, because they're too harried with household chores," Sitaresmi said. "Children grow up so fast, parents might some day regret the lost opportunities to show them love."

The organizers said they would hold a similar event next year. (09/swe)