Staff's Story: We Partnering and Do Advocacy for Children
For me, visiting and monitoring the Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) Program Area is not just an ordinary activity. I always want to give added value to the WVI team, communities, and even the government as WVI partners. I know that simple conversations with them can produce a lot of work for children and the country.
Monday, March 29, 2021, I visited Bengkayang Program Area. That day is the time when we would share a lot of knowledge and information related to child protection for children, partners, and the government. Many things have changed, there are even canceled schedules. However, all of that still provides beauty.
Our first meeting was with the children of the board of the child forum. At first glance, our conversation seems trivial, only related to motivation for middle and high school-aged children. However, they listened to us. That spirit gives us hope and enthusiasm in carrying out our work at WVI.
In the afternoon, we met the Social Service for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection. We discussed many cases of child abuse that have occurred in Bengkayang. Our discussion was focused and we reached an agreement to bring the issue of child abuse to Commission 3 of the Bengkayang DPRD.
On that day too, we held an audience with Commission 3. Community representatives, as well as the Titian Kasih Child Protection and Assistance organization (PPA Tika), were also present to witness our conversation with the Commission 3 team.
Our voices are heard. Not only that, there was a promise that Commission 3 conveyed to us. We will be assisted in spreading the call to end violence against children to the Regent. We hope that cases of violence against children can even disappear from Bengkayang Regency.
"The legislative member will issue several recommendations in connection with today's discussion with the regional government. We want today's points to be an important part of our recommendations with the regional government. We as parliament members cannot have a program, but we can urge local governments to make it happen, for example from the budget and others," said Martinus Khiu, Head of Commission 3.
Our spirits were burning after the words were thrown. Our hope for a better Bengkayang Regency feels even more real.
I am grateful that our partnerships with organizations and the government provide good ideas for child protection regulations in the WVI services area. Although it is not as fast as turning your palm, we believe that cases of child abuse will slowly disappear.
Written by: Portunatas Tamba, General Manager Zone Kalbar Wahana Visi Indonesia
