Children in Indonesia, Be Joyful!
From childhood to adulthood, joy and sorrow are emotions that interwine. But for a child, joy is crucial. A child's happiness begins with hope within the family and a safe, comfortable relationship with their parents. When a child's 'joy tank' is full, they have a better chance of becoming a well-rounded individual, ready to navigate life's complexities.
Childhood is a time when children learn to recognize and process a range of emotions, including sadness and joy. Some children experience deeply upsetting events, while others may be fortunate to avoid such experiences. Family, friends, and the community serve as a safety net, helping children to recover from sadness and share in moments of joy.
Marselus, a 16-year-old boy, has faced several challenges that tested his resilience. "When I was little, there were many things I longed for that I didn't get. Especially after my mother died, I struggled to cope. I tried to cheer myself up, to pretend everything was normal," he recalls.
As the youngest child in his family, Marselus was very close to his mother. "When she passed away, I felt lost. But at the same time, I realized there was still so much I wanted to do in life, so many exciting things that could bring me happiness," says Marselus, who is now the Child Advisory Council Chair for Wahana Visi Indonesia.
At the age of 11, Marselus lost his mother, a turning point in his life. Around the same time, he was bullied at school. "I was bullied a lot by the older kids. I used to cry and was so scared of going to school because I knew I'd see them again," he says.
After experiencing these hardships, Marselus could have easily become pessimistic about the future. However, he realized he couldn't dwell on his sadness. At such a young age, he understood that life is unpredictable and that we can't always control what happens.
With the support of his family, friends, and WVI, Marselus chose to focus on finding joy, no matter what. Now, he's become a source of joy for others. "I want to spread positivity. When my friends are down, I try to make them laugh, even if it means acting silly. I know it might seem strange, but I enjoy making people happy," says the Year 11 student.
Because he's been bullied, Marselus is sensitive to the experiences of others. For instance, he doesn't ignore kids who are being left out. He's a good listener and tries to understand why people behave the way they do. He adapts his perspective to help resolve conflicts among his peers.
"A person who full of joy is more enthusiastic about life. They're generally calmer and more caring, especially towards those who are struggling. When we're happy, it's contagious," says Marselus.
Coming from Sintang Regency in West Kalimantan, this young boy believes that sadness can be replaced by joy. The most important thing is to make a conscious decision to move on from difficult times. Marselus imagines a world without joy and believes it would be a place filled with selfish and angry people.
The presence of WVI in Marselus' village has helped children to explore joy in their lives. Through various community activities, Marselus found his niche in the Children's Forum.
"Before the Children's Forum, no one ever asked us, 'What do you think about our village?' or 'What do you think about stunting?'. I'm sure if we were given a chance to speak, we'd have valuable input,' says Marselus.
The opportunity to share his views with village leaders and even national-level decision-makers has been a source of great joy for Marselus. Having experienced sadness, he doesn't want to hoard happiness for himself. He advises, "Don't let your sadness or grief become a reason to hurt others or to give up on your dreams,". Children of Indonesia, let us be joyful!
Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
