Experienced Bullying Windi Commits to be an Agent of Change
Windi (17) is committed to being an agent of change for her peers after joining the Village Children Forum assisted by Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) Landak Area Program. Bullying is another reason why she is so eager to be an agent of change for her friends.
“Becoming an agent of change and as a peer educator is my dream. I am starting from myself by becoming a teenager who has self-confidence, a person who not indifferent, loves myself and others, and cares for the environment around me," said Windi.
Windi admitted that significant changes occurred in her life. Her lack of courage turned into self-confidence.
“I used to be an insecure child, couldn't speak in front of the public, and often felt stressed about my situation. Moreover, as a teenager who grew up in an era where social media has a big role in adolescent interaction," she added.
According to her, adolescence is a time when children experience many challenges, especially related to violence and bullying. Windi has experienced bullying at school by her peers.
“Not only do they bully condescendingly, but they often do violence with threats like hitting me. When I get that kind of treatment, what I do first is report them to the organizations in the school. When I tried to fight head-on, they often threatened me more and put pressure on me,” she said.
For Windi, the biggest change occurred after WVI arrived in her village through assisting a children's forum in 2019. Various programs and activities for children encourage and motivate Windi and her friends to become good teenagers and even become agents of change for their peers.
"I have already seen the many teenage problems that occur around me and I also experience some of these problems and really hope for changes in the good direction," Windi hoped.
Another change after WVI assisted the village she lived in was that children grew up to become sensitive individuals towards each other. There is no longer individualism, even children are encouraged to convey their aspirations about the importance of fulfilling children's rights.
Currently, WVI is assisting 6 child forums in villages. Village children's forums have various work programs supported by the village government and have carried out positive activities and promotion of child protection both directly and through social media. Through the Children's Forum, Windi and her friends embrace their peers, especially those who have problems, to be able to regain their enthusiasm and be able to develop themselves through positive, fun, and age-appropriate activities at the Children's Forum.
“I always apply what I get from the training provided by WVI because I feel the benefits are not only good for myself but also have an impact on my family and friends. I never get bored of conveying child protection messages to my friends, either directly when I play with them or when we have activities together,” Windi closed excitedly.
Written by: Rista Matondang, CESPC Area Program Landak Wahana Visi Indonesia
