Yomi (16) is a young girl serving as the leader of the Children’s Forum in a village within the Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan. Her current role requires her to interact frequently with her peers, through which she began to realise that a significant number of children in her village have dropped out of school.
This observation is supported by data from the Bengkayang Regency Government, which shows that 7,064 children are either not in school or have dropped out. Yomi felt deeply concerned. "In my opinion, education is vital for the future. If more children stop going to school, it will be harder for them to achieve their dreams and secure a better life," she expressed.
This concern drove Yomi and the members of the Children’s Forum to organise an awareness campaign on the importance of education. For some time, Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), alongside their local partner PPA TIKA, has been regularly mentoring the Children’s Forum through various educational activities. Now, it was time for Yomi and her friends to mentor other children in their village. The knowledge shared by WVI and PPA TIKA acted as a catalyst for Yomi to voice her opinions and raise awareness about children's issues—specifically, the issue of access to education.
"WVI trained us to map out the issues children face in our village. Furthermore, we were given the opportunity to design programmes to address those issues. We were trusted to lead the entire process—from planning the activities and preparing the materials to the final execution. That support helped the Children’s Forum prepare a much more focused initiative," Yomi explained.
The day arrived for the socialisation event regarding the importance of education. The activity involved children in the village who had already discontinued their schooling, with Yomi serving as the main speaker. She conveyed that every child has the right to pursue the highest level of education possible. By attending school, children can reach for their dreams, broaden their knowledge, and secure better employment in the future.
She also emphasised that education helps children become individuals who contribute positively to their families and the surrounding environment.
"I hope that no more children in this village drop out of school. I want to see my home become a developed and thriving village through an educated younger generation. I also encourage my friends to stay active in positive activities like the Children’s Forum. This platform serves as a means to voice children's rights so they remain protected," she stated firmly.
At the conclusion of her session, Yomi highlighted that education is not solely about a child's enthusiasm for learning, but also involves the active participation of parents and the village government. She hopes that every stakeholder will take small steps—just as she has through the Children’s Forum—to create a positive impact on the future of education for the village's children.
Yomi and the members of the Children’s Forum have become positive role models for other children and residents. She has demonstrated the care and courage needed to take on a leadership role. The aspirations of Yomi and her peers are invaluable, proving that children are capable of becoming agents of change in their communities, starting with simple yet meaningful actions.
Author: Lolita Octvienty (Field Facilitator from PPA TIKA, local implementing partner for Bengkayang Area Programme)
Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)