Lisa is a ninth grade student at SMP 238 Bontoparang, who is known as a persistent and enthusiastic student. In the midst of her preparation for the National Exam, Lisa participated in the capacity building activities of the Bonto Somba Village Children's Forum. The activities held at her school were a valuable opportunity for Lisa to develop her interaction skills. Also, public speaking skills.
Lisa lives in Bara Hamlet, one of the outermost hamlets in Maros Regency. Every day, she walks along a forest road that climbs for an hour to reach school. This journey is not easy, especially having to cross a suspension bridge that connects her village to the school. Even so, Lisa remains diligent and enthusiastic about studying.
While participating in capacity building activities at the Village Children's Forum, Lisa shared her dream that always gives her encouragement. She aspires to be a woman with higher education. Lisa is also concerned about her friends who could be trapped in child marriage. She dreams that Bonto Somba Village will become a child-friendly village. Where children can play and learn freely without pressure to marry at an early age.
Along with 25 other participants, Lisa was actively involved in formulating the activities of the Bonto Somba Village Children's Forum. She proposed the idea of holding dance practice and public speaking training. Other children suggested a large field to hone their sports skills. This list of activities will then be discussed with the village head to be realized.
The capacity building program of the Bonto Somba Village Children's Forum was initiated by the Estungkara-SCF program. It aims to support Maros Regency as a Child-Friendly Area, starting from the village level. In this activity, Lisa and her friends were involved in understanding children's rights and implementing them as principles in formulating the Bonto Somba Village Children's Forum work plan.
The head of the Estungkara-SCF program explained that the purpose of the training was to provide children with an understanding of their rights and how to use them to fight for their rights in the community. Lisa and other participants gained a lot of knowledge about children's rights, including the right to receive a decent education, the right to play, and the right to be protected from violence and exploitation.
Lisa hopes that through the Village Children's Forum, she can make a real contribution to her village. She wants the children in Bonto Somba Village to be able to spend their childhood full of joy and learning. Not with the worry of early marriage. She believes that with the right education and understanding, children can become agents of change that lead their village to a better future.
As part of her commitment, Lisa plans to continue being active in the Village Children's Forum and invite more friends to join. She wants to make sure that children's voices are heard and heeded by village leaders.
Lisa's journey from Dusun Bara to SMP 238 Bontoparang every day is a real testament to her passion and dedication.
Her participation in the Bonto Somba Village Children's Forum shows that children, even though they are young, have an important role in the development of their community. Through this activity, Lisa and her friends learn to become leaders who fight for their rights and contribute to the progress of their village.
The efforts made by the Estungkara-SCF program with children in Bonto Somba Village are an important step in creating a child-friendly environment in Maros Regency. By involving children in the decision-making process and giving them a platform to voice their ideas and concerns, it is hoped that a more inclusive village can be created and the future of its children can be protected.
