Journey of Hope: The Street Kids School Project Before Bamboo School

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Street Children in Bali, 2007
No child wants to be born and grow up on the streets, but they are extraordinary children. The harsh life on the streets and the nightlife they frequently encounter and experience, and some even engage in criminal activities out of necessity to bring money to their families. Their determination to survive in the bustling city of Kuta, where many foreign tourists come from all over the world, both good and bad, is remarkable. Violence can happen at any time, especially sexual abuse or physical violence. They have to run whenever officers come within a few meters, even if the officers are not on duty. Their fear is evident every moment, afraid of being caught by officers who are just doing their job to maintain street security.
So much violence and trauma occur to them. Because they have to work to earn money for their families, they do not have the opportunity to go to school. Leaving in the evening and returning at dawn, children their age should be playing and learning, protected by their parents. Unfortunately, they have to go to the streets to struggle to make a living.
Seeing them on the streets at the same age as my son, my heart was moved to help them. But I also didn't know how. Sometimes I would come bringing ice cream, snacks, and talk to them, giving them small attention. Once I asked, "What do you want?" Some of them said money, food, and toys. But Ketut, the most innocent child among them, said, "Ma'am, I want to go to school wearing a red and white uniform, studying in an elementary school like other children." Tears streamed down my face as I hugged him, trying to think about what I could do. Please follow net story Ykpa starting by joinwithusinternational.org


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