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MoSA Facilitates Access for Sandi’s Education, Cracker Selling Boy Who Aspires to Be a Policeman

  • MoSA Facilitates Access for Sandi’s Education, Cracker Selling Boy Who Aspires to Be a Policeman
  • 16466590868391
  • 16466590916994

Writer :
Humas Balai Melati Jakarta
Editor :
David Myoga
Translator :
Karlina Irsalyana

PANGKAL PINANG (5 March 2022) – A happy smile appears on the face of Romi Sandi, an 11-year-old boy as he tries on his new school uniform given by Social Rehabilitation Center “Melati” Jakarta officers while visiting his house in Pasir Putih, Rangkui District, Pangkal Pinang City, Bangka Belitung Islands.

 

Sandi, his nickname, said that he wanted to become a police officer. He expressed his desire to be able to continue school. Often he cries when he sees his friends going to school. However, he understands that economic difficulties forced his parents to not be able to realize his dream.

 

The difficulty of earning income, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, forced Rudi, Sandi's father, to think hard about how to support his family. Rudi decided to invite his family to migrate to Pangkal Pinang City.

 

"It's difficult to find work in Palembang, ma'am. Here (Pangkal Pinang) we rent a house for Rp. 600,000 a month. At first, we stayed at our family’s house, but it's a pity that they are also living a difficult life. Whatever a kind of works, the important thing is halal because our children need to eat, "said Rudi.

 

Istina, Sandi's mother, said that no one forced Sandi to sell. At that time, Sandi said that he wanted to sell to help his father earn some money.

 

"This child is kind-hearted. Maybe he can't bear to see it because I take care of his little sister. He said, let Sandi help father, ma'am. Back to Palembang, Sandi went to school until grade 4. The plan was to continue studying here, but it has not been taken care of because there is no money,” said Istina.

 

Sandi said that he sells crackers every day around the Simpang 4 red light to the Pangkal Pinang shopping center. Although tired, he lived it with enthusiasm. Once his knee was injured and he had to walk limping while selling his crackers, but he never gave up.

 

Every day, Sandi sells crackers from 11.00 to 16.00 WIB. He did not go home immediately, because after that he continued singing until 18.00 WIB. The net income is around Rp. 50.000, - from the sale of crackers and buskers.

 

Based on the results of coordination carried out by Social Rehabilitation Center “Melati” Jakarta with the Pangkal Pinang City Social Office, information was obtained that Sandi's family had been recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH) since January 2022.

 

The acting head of Melati Center Jakarta, Romal Uli Jaya Sinaga, stated that Melati Center had coordinated with regional office partners in the process of transferring Sandi's school from Palembang to Pangkal Pinang.

“We have written to the Education Office and the Palembang City Social Office to facilitate access to further education for Sandi. We have also provided Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) program for Sandi's family in the form of basic needs, nutrition, school equipment, cleaning equipment, and wound treatment equipment," said Romal.

"We make sure Sandi will continue his education. The state guarantees every child has the right to be able to go to school. Sandi has a long future ahead of us and it is our responsibility to help make his dreams come true. Families can also open independent businesses. We will continue to coordinate with the Pangkal Pinang City Social Office in the mentoring process for Sandi and his family,” said Romal.
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