Street kids go camping

JAKARTA (JP): Around 200 young scavengers, street singers and vendors from various parts of the city are taking a break from work for a three-day camping holiday.

Boarding hired Metro Mini buses, the street children from Bantar Gebang in Bekasi, Cakung and Penas in East Jakarta and other areas came to Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, yesterday. Children from Bandung, West Java, were also expected.

The event which runs to Sunday called "Kampore," or the jamboree of the urban poor, is organized by a non-governmental organization, the Jakarta Social Institute (ISJ).

The children headed for the grounds where volunteers and social workers were setting up a display of the children's writings, drawings and handicraft.

Aged six to 15, some of the girls and boys erected tents while others ran around the green fields.

"I'm happy to be here," said Harani, a scavenger and third- grade elementary drop-out from Cakung.

"I can look for money some other time," she said.

Each participant had saved up to pay the Rp 1,000 needed to join the fun.

Anton Pradjasto, the chairman of the organizing committee, said the aim of the event is to get street children from various areas to get to know each other, and to share their troubles.

The schedule also included performances by the kids.

The organizers said they also hope to collect the children's feelings, thoughts and hopes, into a resolution for an international congress on children planned later this year.

The Institute has a half-way house for street children in Jatinegara, East Jakarta. Volunteers also visit the places where the children work once or twice a week.

Susilo, another organizer, said the jamboree is also part of a continuous effort to make the parents aware of the young workers' needs as children.

"They become old before they grow up," Susilo said. Education comes second to working, as the children's share of the family's daily income is large.

Street singers and scavengers can earn around Rp 5,000 or more per day.

Susilo said many parents still keep their children away from such activities, fearing their earnings will be reduced.

"We couldn't get the young scavengers from Prumpung, North Jakarta, to attend this camp," he said. (anr)