Street kids to Take Part in festival: Jakarta, West Java

Around 1,000 street children from around Greater Jakarta are expected to take part in a three-day cultural festival aimed at giving them an opportunity to express their interests and talents.

The event, which will be held by Sanggar Ciliwung, a non-profit organization that deals with street children is themed: “Street Children: the Struggle to Break the Limit“.

“Street children are often neglected by the government and society even though they can be as good as other kids,” the organization’s Father Sandyawan told the Jakarta Post.

“We’re inviting street children to perform in activities such as documentary film making, photography, writing opinion pieces for print media, dancing and singing,” he said.

Sandyawan said around 50 organizations working with street children are expected to take part. He said children at the festival will perform and show their talents, without being judged competitively.

Stephanie, one of the festival’s coordinators, said the workshops were being carried out to encourage children and organizations to join the festival.

“We want to spread the spirit of caring for street children and encourage the public to take part in this event,” she said.

Stephanie said the committee was still looking for financial backing for the event.

“I understand we will need to work very hard to make this event come true, especially the financial aspect. So we’ll welcome any donor, including from the government and the private sector,” she said.

The festival will be held from July 13 to 15.

For further information, please contact Sanggar Ciliwung. Telephone: 021-8308255.