The regent of Mappi, Michael R. Gomar, met with 28 children who could not go to school in Kepi City. In his meeting at Mappi Bangkit Park, Mappi Regency, South Papua Province. There, he listens to what the children say.
From that talk, the children says that they miss being in school. Responding to that, the regent asked Office of Social Affairs and Office of Empowerment of Women, Child Protection and Family Planning (DP3A-KB) to collect data and facilitate those children back to school.
“I think this is a proper first step for us in gathering the children who could not go to school. This is a good start in this good day of Sunday,” says Gomar.
To guide those children, DP3A-KB will involve parties from religious organizations, youth organizations, TP PKK, Bhayangkari, Persit, and all mass organizations in Mappi.
“Technically, please prepare what we have to do after this, so that when the new school year comes, we accommodate everything. I also want to stress out that this is not only the responsibility of the Office of Social Affairs and the Office of P3A-KB, but also the responsibility of all existing OPDs. The Social Service and the P3A-KB Service are the coordinators, but it is our duty to guide them,” he stressed.
Bule, the nickname of one of the child who conveyed his wish to the Regent, said that since dropping out of school, he has worked as a laborer at Kepi Port to help his parents.
“Sir, I have worked all this time in port, but now I want to go back to school,” says Bule.
Meanwhile, the head of DP3A-KB, Verdinda Genoveva, says that they have collected the data of the 28 children. She said, unfortunately, the kids have been sucking on the glue which definitely would affect their health and future.
“The 28 children live in three different locations, which 14 of them in Kepi City, 6 in Emete Village and 8 on bandara street,” she said. “We will recollect their data regarding the age and where they live. After that, we will have a talk with relevant agencies so that all of them can return to school,” she adds.