Helmi, a 15 year old teenager, is one of the children who lives in Kaluppini Village, Enrekang Regency. Currently, Helmi is studying in class 9 at State Junior High School (SMPN) 6 Enrekang. Every day, Helmi travels 3 kilometers to go to school. Even though the distance traveled was quite far, Helmi's enthusiasm and dedication to his education never waned.
Helmi is known as an active and intelligent child. This is reflected in his role at school as chairman of the OSIS in 2022. The experience of being chairman of the OSIS has shaped Helmi into a brave and responsible figure. This courage was seen when Helmi offered to become chairman of the Kaluppini Village Children's Forum during the forum's formation meeting in 2023.
The Kaluppini Village Children's Forum was formed in May 2023. Initiated by the village government in collaboration with Save The Children Foundation (SCF). The purpose of establishing this forum is as a forum for village children to learn various things. Such as organizing, speaking in public, planning and carrying out activities, and developing personal potential.
The formation of this forum was facilitated by the Enrekang Regency Children's Forum which invited children aged 11th grade of middle school and high school. Prior to the election of administrators, a dissemination was carried out by the Regency Children's Forum administrators about the aims and benefits of joining the village children's forum. The election of management is carried out by deliberation and consensus.
Since being elected as chairman, Helmi has gained a lot of new knowledge and lessons regarding the rights and interests of children. Helmi hopes that the aspirations of the children in Kaluppini Village can be absorbed by the village government. One of the hopes is to hold a special children's meeting in the village to accommodate and collect ideas and suggestions for the benefit of children.
As chairman, Helmi together with the Children's Forum administrators planned Children's Day celebrations at the village level. The forum's work plan for 2024 includes celebrating National Children's Day at the Kaluppini Village level and increasing the capacity of the children's forum. The 2024 village budget has accommodated the aspirations of Helmi and his friends for capacity building training which will be implemented in the second semester of 2024.
Since SCF was active in Kaluppini Village, various mentoring activities have been carried out to help the Children's Forum administrators. These activities include capacity building training. Sending Helmi to take part in activities organized by the Enrekang Regency Government through the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A). As well as socializing child protection in the digital world through on line which was initiated by SCF. In addition, SCF often holds discussions and chat personally with Helmi to support his development as a leader.
One of the fundamental changes that Helmi has experienced since receiving assistance from SCF is the way he thinks about the importance of involving children in village development activities. Previously, children in Kaluppini Village had never been involved in village meetings. So that village development is mostly enjoyed by adults only. Helmi hopes that children can be involved from the planning process to implementing development activities that support children, in order to support their progress in the village.
Helmi expressed his gratitude for the formation of the children's forum and the assistance he received. “We are very grateful to SCF and the village government for the support provided. "We hope that with this forum, children's voices can be heard and taken into account in every development process in the village," said Helmi.
The Kaluppini Village Government also expressed their appreciation for this initiative. “We see great potential in the children in this village. With the children's forum, we better understand their needs and aspirations. "Which of course we will accommodate in future village development," said Muhammad Salata, Head of Kaluppini Village.
Helmi and the Kaluppini Village Children's Forum are clear examples of how child empowerment can bring positive change in the community. With support from SCF and the village government, children in Kaluppini Village now have a platform to learn, organize and contribute to the development of their village. Helmi's hope that children will be involved in every development process will be the first step towards a more inclusive and child-friendly village.
*This article was written by: Sultan, Save The Children Foundation (SCF)
