Vocational Training, Two Teenagers Preparing for a Brighter Future

JAKARTA (24 July 2021) – Social Minister Tri Rismaharini hopes that the limited activities due to the pandemic will not tamper Indonesian children's  enthusiasm for learning. Social Minister Risma said that there are many things to be done while being limited in studying at home. 

“Cultivate a hobby while studying at home. It can be painting, photography, writing, even gardening,” said Risma. She hopes that Indonesian children will grow up confidently. Indonesian children must be optimistic, outstanding and tough.

This spirit was also permeated by FA and FD, children beneficiaries at Handayani Center Bambu Apus. The two teenagers admitted that they had taken the wrong path in the past. However, the rehabilitation at Handayani Center had made them grow up to be optimistic and enthusiastic children.

“We get a lot of knowledge here. Our past behavior, we could say, was wild. It got better after being here," said FA (18) when met at Balai recently.

His daily life starts from getting up early, doing activities, then returning to the dormitory.

“After waking up, I directly pray subuh, after that I clean the dorm then have breakfast. Breakfast is usually followed by social guidance. After that, I have short break for eating and praying, then continued with skill classes (vocational classes). I happened to be in welding class," said FA.

In welding class, FA can usually produce a set of iron pot frames a week. The iron pot frames will be sold at the ATENSI (Social Rehabilitation Assistance) Creation Center (SKA) at Handayani Center for public.

Handayani Center provides many vocational classes for children to learn or to deepen their skills according to their respective interests and talents, ranging from welding, automotive, salon, culinary, and so on.

Meanwhile FD (16), a friend of FA, was once part of a punk boy group. He now has an interest and talent in culinary.

“Aside from the automotive class that I am involved in, I also take a cooking class. I once made cilok (skewered tapioca ball) and sold it at SKA. Thank God it sold a lot,” said FD.

To welcome National Children's Day which is celebrated every July 23, Head of Handayani Center, Hasrifah, advised all parents in Indonesia to always protect and care for their children.

“Children behave negatively usually due to a lack of attention from parents. We hope that parents out there can pay more attention to their children, provide access to opportunities so that they can grow and develop properly," said Hasrifah.

During the Covid-19 pandemic that is currently being faced by the Indonesian people, the theme of National Children's Day (HAN) in 2021 is "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia" with the tagline #AnakPedulidiMasaPandemi (#CareforChildreninPandemic).

This is as a motivation that the pandemic will not dampen the committee to keep celebrating HAN. This year, HAN is held virtually, without reducing its meaning and message.