Ministry of Social Affairs Pushes Children of Remote Indigenous Community to Become Agent of Change

JAKARTA (13 November 2019) – Hall of The Desa Wisata Hotel in TMII suddenly got rumbled. Hundreds of participants which mostly was children screamed and gave applause.

Their happiness focused to a single person who had entered the big room, which was the Social Affairs Minister Juliari P. Batubara and his group. His entrance had been waited by the participant.

These children were come from not only Jakarta. But also remoted from around the country. Now, they were brought into the Capital City of Jakarta and met the Social Affairs Minister.

Not just Children, the Minister also looked happy. He greets all the children patiently. When he arrived at the stage, he was directly made a speech.

“I want to speak directly to the children,” said the Minister in the Festival of Remote Indigenous Community Golden Generation 2019, in TMII, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/11/2019). The Minister also asked the representative of Remote Indigenous Community children from three areas.

Staffani Ambefi, a girl from Southwest Sumba was given the first chance to talk. To the Minister, Fani – what she called, told her daily activity which was mostly helped her parents. It was cooked the rice, washed the dishes and feeding pigs.

“Tell me what Fani wants to the country. Its free,” said the Minister. Fani was not expecting to had the first chance to ask, she was got silent in a few moments.

“I want scholarship, sir. Until get to the college,” said the grade 10th student. It was welcomed by applause. The dreams of going to college was being delivered by Hillaris Supriyanto, the children of Remote Indigenous Community from Batu Raja Village, South Lembor Sub-district, West Manggarai.

Hillaris stated that the progress of tourist area of Labuhan Bajo also provided positive impact for his place. The young person was becoming the tour guide for tourist.

 The grade 12th student was surely wanted to go to the college after the high school. “Mr. Jokowi will launch the Indonesia Smart Card for College program. So that it will help you,” said the Minister.

To the children, the Minister stated that this activity was the real proof that the country was presented. “Even this is the proof that the country wanted you go forward. If you move forward, the country will also move forward,” said the Minister. He also did not forget to stated his willingness to come to the location of Remote Indigenous Community in several times later.

The Director of Social Empowerment Pepen Nazaruddin stated that this activity wanted to push the young generations of Remote Indigenous Community to become the agent of change. In this activity, they were told to dig a problem and the needs, initiated a idea and alternate solutions.

“They are also hoped to be able to motivate, push and develop relations between the people of Remote Indigenous Community and the public together to exploit all potency and source to face against the limitation,” said Pepen.

There were also Director General of Social Empowerment Pepen Nazaruddin, Senior Advisor for Minister on Social Accessibility Sonny W Manalu, all echelon II officials of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment. This event also presented 56 children of Remote Indigenous Community and 28 persons of Remote Indigenous Community figures.


Acting Head of Public Relations Bureau
The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs
Sonny W Manalu