The Symphony of Change towards Child Friendly Environment
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa
These words from Mother Teresa perfectly encapsulate the story of Alwi, a young man from Jatinegara, East Jakarta. As humans and members of society, we are often called upon to do great things that have a significant impact on those around us. But what constitutes a great thing? Does everyone have to do something truly impressive and memorable to make a difference? Or is it enough to make a difference through small, meaningful actions that are full of care and sincere dedication?
In the community where Alwi lives, he discovered that great things can indeed start with small, loving acts. Alwi's journey of change began not with a large-scale movement or reform, but with a shared goal of creating a child-friendly environment where every child can grow, feel safe, and have their rights.
Alwi, an alumnus of the sub-district and district-level Children's Forum, is now a facilitator for the Children's Forum in his area. In addition, he is involved in the Jakaringan Cinema Club, a group for children and youth for expressing their voice through visual medias. Alwi is also active as a Life Skills Education facilitator and child researcher. Together with his friends in the community, Alwi has done many simple yet impactful things.
This 24-year-old young man was introduced to the Children's Forum, which was facilitated by Wahana Visi Indonesia, in 2017. At that time, he was only 15 years old. "In the past, I was a shy and insecure child, worried about experiences and interactions with new people. However, the Children's Forum opened the door to a world where I could grow and make a difference. It was a place where I learned not only about life skills but also about the power of collective effort and the importance of advocating for ourselves and others," he said. Now, as a young adult, Alwi takes on the role of a facilitator or mentor to help other children gain the same confidence and skills that he now possesses.
"The regular meetings of the Children's Forum are more than just a routine. Children can build self-confidence and develop genuine friendships because of these meetings. We also introduce life skills education training during our regular meetings," said this graduate of Education from Jakarta State University.
Activities at the Children's Forum, both regular meetings and other activities, allow children to connect with each other, creating a support network that shares the same goals and dreams. "Just like WVI’s staffs taught us before, we are determined to pass it on to our younger children in this region," said Alwi.
Being a volunteer who cares for children in the Jatinegara area is not easy. Almost every weekend, Alwi has to organize various activities. Behind the feeling of tiredness, Alwi still finds joy because change is happening in his area. "One of the positive changes we have observed is the development of our children's advocacy skills. As children from various sub-districts in Jatinegara, we realize the importance of voicing our concerns and desires for a better life. Through the Child-Led Research activity, we conduct research and collect data on issues that affect our peers. Filled with this information, we advocate to local government officials, presenting our findings and recommendations. Our efforts were not in vain. The government has made real improvements, such as programs to prevent brawls, child-friendly schools, and support for the Children's Forum," said Alwi.
The members and facilitators of the Children's Forum always prioritize sincerity in carrying out every activity. For Alwi, it is this sincerity that brings about change. "Initially, we were shy, insecure, and vulnerable children, but eventually, we were given the space to grow and now we want to be part of the change. Our actions may seem small to some people, but driven by care and dedication, the small and consistent efforts we have made have succeeded in inviting others to improve our environment," he concluded.
The children of Jatinegara have become agents of change for their community. Jatinegara, which now prioritizes children's rights, has been achieved thanks to the efforts and participation of the children themselves. Children who were once shy and insecure have transformed into confident peer supporters and leaders. The impact of the good work of Alwi, the members, and other facilitators of the Children's Forum can be seen from the smiles of the children who now have a supportive and nurturing environment to support their development.
"We may not be doing great things, but our collective efforts have created ripples of change that continue to benefit our community. This can be a reminder that every small action, when driven by sincere care and love, can contribute to a larger and more meaningful transformation," concluded Alwi, who is currently pursuing his dream of becoming a teacher.
Author: Ersa Lakukua (MEL Coordinator in Urban Jakarta Area Programme), Alwi (Children’s Forum facilitator and member of the Jatinegara Community Care for Children group)
Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
