JSA 2008 PRESS RELEASE

Sahabat Anak Jamboree: Motivation for Street Children to Reach Their Goals

Jakarta, July 5, 2008 – Hundreds of street children with volunteers gathered at the Ragunan Camping Ground to attend the Sahabat Anak Jamboree (JSA) on Saturday – Monday, July 5-6, 2008.

In the two day camping event themed “Me and My Goals” more than 200 volunteers has adopt the role of friends to share their love and communicate with street children accompanied by Sahabat Anak, like a family. This event is aimed to motivate the children to realize that they can reach their goals despite the though situation they are facing.

“To have a part in developing a nation is one of the rights of Indonesian children, as stated in United Nations Children Rights Convention in 1989,” said Rolof Satriyanto, JSA Coordinator. “”This jamboree hopefully can open opportunities for the children to reach their goals. We would like to break the paradigm that stated that one cannot succeed unless they have high formal education.”

The event is supported by various parties, including motivator Krisna Murti, Amazing Farm owner Dani Rusli, makeup artist Gusnaldi, painter Wayang and writer Fannie Kartikasari who will be speaking as motivators in workshops.

JSA opened on Saturday, followed by workshops by motivators. Other activities are including playing with volunteers and participants from high schools in Jakarta. Participants were entertained with musical story-telling, music and various games.

“This is the 12th JSA ever held. Since 1997 our community keeps spreading the buzz of Sahabat Anak movement “Stop giving money, be a friend.” Rolof added, “We hope that this event can be the momentum for Sahabat Anak movement can be spread to wider audience, and in the future this movement can impact other areas, not only Jakarta.”

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About Sahabat Anak Jamboree

Sahabat Anak Jamboee was first held in 1997 and this year is the 12th time the event is held. The annual two-day camping allows volunteers to interact and build relationship with children under Sahabat Anak. Every year the Jamboree would adopt a theme as stated in the United Nations Convention of 10 Children’s Rights in 1989, including the right play and to get education.

About Sahabat Anak

Sahabat Anak (SA) is a community of volunteers that accompanies street children in the greater Jakarta area. Currently SA has eight (8) branches in Prumpung, Grogol, Cijantung, Gambir, Manggarai, Senen, Tanah Abang and Mangga Dua. SA supports the campaign “Stop giving money, be a friend”.

The movement started in 1997 by a group of youth that established friendship with socially marginalized children in the Street Children Jamboree (now known as Sahabat Anak Jamboree). After 10 years, the community provides among others tuition support and Children Activity Center (non formal school for drop out street teenagers). Sahabat Anak also provides scholarship for more than 110 street children. The community holds routine activities: movie screening, library, distribution of nutritious food and beverages and free medical services. Now Sahabat Anak also provides advocacy assistance and economic empowerment for the children.

Sahabat Anak movement was announced in 2007 and has been receiving support from various parties including the Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, former UN Special Ambassador for Millennium Development Goals for Asia Pacific Erna Witoelar.