Ros, A Child Who Tutors Other Children
In time of abundance, sharing will be easy. On the other hand, when there is a shortage, sharing will be a difficult test. Not everyone is willing to be tested to share when times are tough or uncertain. But that doesn't mean there are no people who are willing to do this great thing. Amazingly, it is not adults who are willing, but a teenage girl in one of the villages in Biak, Papua. Casually called Ros, who is currently a high school student, is an extraordinary person because in the midst of her life challenges, she faithfully assists and shares her life for other children in her village.
Every day, Ros has to walk 8KM to her school. As a farmer's daughter, after school Ros also helps with the gardening. Her daily life gets busier as Ros also actively participates in children's group and assists younger children at Rumah Baca (Reading House). Even though the day goes fast and tiring, Ros can still say, "I am happy that there is Rumah Baca because here the children are actually diligent in going to school but because there are no teachers, they cannot learn. Because of Rumah Baca, they who can't write can come and try to write. In Rumah Baca, they who can't read, can look at books, try to read or spell,".
Ros herself realises how challenging the condition of basic education in her village. She witnessed how the eagerness to learn of children in her village was not matched with the presence of teachers in the classroom. "They come in the morning, they wait but the teacher doesn't come. So they only go to school to play and then go home. If they want to go to the library, the books have been eaten by termites, the library is dirty, and they can't read there," said Ros.
With Rumah Baca, Ros feels hope for the future of the children in her village. "I am proud to be able to help the children learn to read, write and count at Rumah Baca," she said.
Apart from being one of the youngest tutors at Rumah Baca, Ros is also active in youth group activities that focus on developing life skills. Through series of training, Ros and other teenagers gain new insights in protecting themselves from violence and also about leadership. After trainings, Ros feels more confident when expressing her aspirations, planning her future appropriately, and having the courage to participate.
Now, Ros's dream becomes more sharp. "In this village, not many teenagers continue to study in college. Many are stopping because of promiscuity and lack of skills. I want us to live in a village, but still have big dreams. So, we can study harder and protect ourselves from wrong behaviour," she hopes.
The big dreams of Ros, who lives in a remote area, can really come true if there is hope in them. And hope can come from anywhere, including from all of us who are called to support Ros' current role. Together with WVI, take your part now. You can choose to become a child sponsor who means so much to children like Ros and the little ones in her village.
Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
