Ministry of Social Affairs Holds Writing Workshop, Invites Children to Develop Literacy Skills
Writer :
Humas Dit. Rehsos Anak
Translator :
Karlina Irsalyana
JAKARTA (24 July 2021) - The Ministry of Social
Affairs through the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation has held the
2021 National Children's Day Commemoration event for 4 (four) consecutive days
since July 21, 2021. On this 4th day, the committee held a Writing Workshop
which was attended by 613 children who joined through the zoom application or
youtube channel.
The Writing Workshop is
part of the Tough Children's Dream Workshop which aims to hone and improve
children's literacy skills, especially in the field of writing. This workshop
is a continuation of the Children's Work Competition held by the Directorate of
Child Social Rehabilitation last week.
In the workshop, the
selected children's work was reviewed by the curators consisting of Triani
Retno, Akbar Halim and Rendiansyah Putra Dinata as book writers and child
practitioners which were divided into 3 sessions moderated by Alfrojames, staff
of the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation.
Amalia, a finalist in the
writing competition, revealed that her work entitled "Just Enjoy it, When
Are You Trying to Go to School While Lying Down?" written based on
personal experience.
"This is
interesting, the title makes people curious to read it," responded Retno,
one of the curators.
“I Obey the Health
Protocol” is one of the titles of an article written by Gea, a finalist in a
writing competition from Bondowoso. In her writing, Gea told that people around
her house did not obey health protocols.
"When I recite the
Koran with my friends, I am the only one who wears a mask, so in the end it
becomes an example for other friends who now want to wear masks," said
Gea.
In addition, Rebekah from
Bali also revealed a story in her writing that reviews the motivation to
continue to think positively in the midst of a pandemic.
“Even though she is
currently separated from her parents who are in Sulawesi, Rebekah here is still
enthusiastic and continues to think positively. Hopefully the neglected
children will get their rights and Indonesia will be more advanced and their
children will be stronger in the pandemic situation," he explained.
“Rebekah's love of reading led her to be able to
write stories in very good writing. So, if you want to write good writing,
you have to be diligent in reading. Like a teapot, our writing is water that
comes out. And the contents of the teapot depend on what we put in. Therefore,
you must also like to read, "said Retno motivating.
In the next session, Akbar Halim and Rendiansyah as
curators also reviewed the children's work.
“Every piece of the story they take can be developed into
something more interesting and make the reader interested in knowing more. This
is something that we should appreciate your efforts here in making good
writings,” said Akbar.
Laili from Sidoarjo also shared her work which said
that she was very upset with the coronavirus.
"Yes, that's my frustration with Corona, it's a
maximal level, Sis. Corona has been able to travel around Indonesia, but so far
I haven't. So I put it in my writing,” said Laili innocently.
“The first sentence in Laili's writing is strong
enough and interesting for readers to know what's next. Maybe it needs to be
explored again in the next paragraph”, responded Akbar.
"I hope that Indonesian children will remain
strong during the pandemic and progress even though they can only study at
home. For friends who live in the orphanage, don't ever feel inferior or
insecure because we are equal to the children out there as long as there is
intention and effort,” added Laili.
In the last session with curator Rendiansyah, a child
finalist named Fatihah shared that she prefers to write at night and in a quiet
place.
"Writing must be in a place and time that is
convenient for us so that the resulting writing can be good," said
Rendiansyah.
Panji also shared his writing which was made to
represent his feelings about studying from home.
"Friends, cheer up, even though now we have to
study from home and haven't been able to meet friends at school, we have to
show the world that in the future we will be successful children," said
Panji.
“There are many positive messages from your writings here
that amazed me when I read them. Many positive viruses are spread by your writings. Therefore, these viruses cannot be defeated by the
coronavirus. You have to keep writing to spread kindness to others,” concluded
Rendiansyah.
This writing workshop is expected to inspire the enthusiasm of
Indonesian children to convey valuable and useful messages to others and to
foster children's optimism in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic situation.