Putting Hope for the Future in the Orphanage

SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Dhika and Drian, twins who live in the Rumah Kasih Orphanage, Lembang, West Java.

Fourteen years ago, twins Dhika and Drian were brought by their mother to the Rumah Kasih Orphanage in Lembang, West Bandung regency, West Java, when they were eight months old and malnourished. The mother spent about three months with them before leaving and never returning.

Now they are 14 years old and the twins only know the names of their mother and father. Over time, they have grown into healthy children.

Dhika and Drian are now in grade IX in junior high school (SMP). Both have the same hobby, namely playing football. They even once joined a football club in Bandung. Together with the other orphanage children, they often play music, make recordings and upload them to social media.

“I want to be a successful person, if possible become an entrepreneur, and then look for my parents. We just want to know, where is mama, where is papa. Just curious, not to bother them," said Dhika on Saturday (29/10/2022).

Also read:

> Prioritize Child Protection

> They are Our Children too

Even though they live in an orphanage, both of them are grateful because so far they have had a place to live, received education and could even share their hobbies. "I can only advise friends outside the orphanage who still have parents to love their parents," said Dhika.

In the same orphanage, there is Olin (15), a young girl from Blitar, East Java. Her father had died, and during childhood she was often left behind by her mother to work abroad as a migrant worker. She was often entrusted to live with other people. About seven years ago, she was taken to the Rumah Kasih Orphanage.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Children who live in the Tebet Orphanage, Jakarta, take advantage of their free time to read books, on Sunday (10/30/2022).

Even though she has never met her mother, she often communicates through social media. In the past, her mother used to send money to the orphanage regularly, but in recent years it has decreased somewhat, as her mother is no longer working. “I want to be a cook, I think a cook has a lot of money," said Olin.

Suhendi (22) from Cianjur also experienced life in an orphanage while pursuing his education. Six years ago, after graduating from elementary school (SD) Suhendi dropped out of school. In 2017, his mother, who worked as a domestic worker, took him to Jakarta and asked him to stay at the Kampung Melayu Orphanage in Bukit Duri, Tebet, South Jakarta.

Initially, Suhendi did not know that he would enter an orphanage. However, he later learned that his mother took him to an orphanage so he could continue his education.

"Here, I have many friends and many activities, such as studying marwas and other activities," said Suhendi, who has now graduated from a culinary arts vocational school.

While at the orphanage, his mother never came to visit him. He was only visited by his aunt.

Since living in an orphanage, he only returns to Cianjur once a year. While at the orphanage, his mother never came to visit him. He was only visited by his aunt.

Currently, Suhendi still lives in an orphanage. Even though he has finished high school, he continues to stay at the orphanage because there is a rule that they must help the orphanage for a minimum of six months while looking for work or continuing higher education.

Muslimin Hardiman (16), has also experienced being an orphan. He now lives at the Miftahul Khair Orphanage, Makassar. This year is his fifth year living at the orphanage. Because of poverty and his strong will to go to school, he had to leave parents in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO (PRI)

The activities of residents of the St. Francis Assisi Orphanage in the Pancoran Mas area, Depok, West Java, Monday (25/1/2021).

“My parents are still there and farming in the village. Since childhood, I lived with my grandmother. We are seven brothers. My two older brothers came to this orphanage first. So, when I finished elementary school, my parents also sent me here to study because they couldn't pay for it,” said Muslimin on Friday (28/10).

Poor family

Together with 39 other orphans, they attend junior high school (SMP) and senior high school (SMA) of Sari Buana which are about 300 meters from the orphanage. Every day they just walk to school.

The majority of the children in the orphanage still have their parents and generally come from poor families.

Currently as many as 40 children live at the Miftahul Khair Orphanage. The majority of the children in the orphanage still have their parents and generally come from poor families.

A Halmiyah, the manager of the Miftahul Khair Orphanage, said that initially they only accepted children who had no parents or were orphans.

“However, the social service office said that those allowed to be accommodated did not have to be orphans. Abandoned and poor children also have the right to be accommodated.

RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

Miftahul Khair Orphanage is one of the orphanages that accommodates children from underprivileged families, on Friday (28/10/2022).

Since then we have accepted children who are not orphans, but come from poor or neglected families. In fact, we also accommodate children who are victims of violence or who are from a broken home," he said.

According to the secretary general of the National Forum for Child Welfare Institutions and Child Orphanages (LKSA-PSAA), Suryadi Albar, most of the LKSAs or orphanages in Indonesia are managed by the private sector. Funds are usually from regular donors or the local community. In addition to human resources, financial support is a challenge, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All children who live in orphanages have access to formal and non-formal education. Generally, children are educated up until high school. While staying at the orphanage, children are also taught skills, such as cooking and digital skills.

"The job of the orphanage is to help children grow to adulthood and be able to make their own life choices, whether they want to stay in the institution, return to their family, work or be released," said Suryadi.

In fact, the fulfillment of children's rights along with their protection, care and welfare are the responsibility of the central and regional governments in accordance with Law Number 35 of 2014.

However, the local government has not played a significant role in supporting orphanages. In fact, the fulfillment of children's rights along with their protection, care and welfare are the responsibility of the central and regional governments in accordance with Law Number 35 of 2014.

“Children's rights have not been fulfilled. The government should take responsibility," said Suryadi, Wednesday (26/10). (REN/ESA/COK/VIO/SKA/RAM/XTI/EGI/SON/Z02/Z03/Z14)