House of Child’s Friend

To Provide Poor Children a Place to Learn and Play
by: Arsa Wening

Lack of space for children to learn and play in the Capital city is no longer worrisome for children of poor community in Kampung Kalimati, Rawaterate, Cakung, East Jakarta. Since February 2007, they have a place to learn and play. The green-painted-two-stories house is named House of Child’s friend.

The facilitation program for children in poor community in our Capital city is one of Dompet Dhuafa non-formal education programs. Dompet Dhuafa has appointed Sanggar Puspita to run the program operational.

House of child’s friend is a shelter for poor children who stay in slump and crowded areas. The house that was designed with fun theme is to be used as non-formal educational facility. It is equipped with learning facilities such as computers, sewing machines, embroidery machines, TV and study desks.

More than 200 children who study in this place are uneducated children and school drop-outs. One touching scene was when Rina (14) who never went to school managed to create bulletin cover with Photoshop program. And she seemed very skilled in designing the layout.

“Prior the house is established, I usually help my parents and make clothes for my Barbie doll. I always dreamed to play with computer and now my dream came true. I can even create designs”, said Rina.

“Even though I don’t go to school like other children, but I am sure, I can be successful one day.” Said the daughter of Mutiati and Mulyadi from Kediri, east Java, confidently.

Since the house is opened, according to Sahrozi, the head of the Sanggar Puspita, computer learning is the most favorite among children. Therefore, Sahrozi, limit the participants of computer learning program for children of 11 to 18 years old.

Other programs in the house are English Course, Theater, Music, dancing and photography. Sahrozi hopes that this simple house could be the place for poor children to design their better future even though without proper education.