Sunday, May 15, 2016, Rifka Annisa was invited by the Social Services Agency, Manpower and Transmigration organisation to provide information on family resilience in Wisma Melati, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta. The activities took place from 1:00 until 3:00pm and invited 42 participants who were parents of children who would benefit from such activities of Reduction of Child Labour (Family Hope Program PPAPKH) Social Services Agency, Manpower and Transmigration Organisation. The event opened with an introduction from each participant with name, address, and one thing that they are proud of their child for. A number of the participants said that their children were hard working and loyal to them.

The event was filled with sharing and story telling by each of the participants, related to what the causes of why the children were not attending school. Ten participants reported that the reason children do not want to attend school is because of a negative environment experienced by the child when at school, two participants said the reason was because the distance between school and home is too far away so the difficulty in accessing transportation was a barrier for getting their child to school, and other participants said that the biggest reason the child does not want school is because they (the children) are more interested in working than in attending school.

In the next session participants were divided into 6 groups, then they were asked to discuss and write down their expectations of their children. The average participant wrote that the parents wanted their children to attend school and receive a better education in order for the parents to become prosperous and proud parents.

Towards the end of the event, the facilitator explained the importance of the resilience in the family including various forms and examples of good parenting. Community Organization Division staff member, Nurmawati from Rifka Annisa WCC, was the facilitator and explained that the role and support of the family, especially parents, play a huge role in child development. Children who grow up in a harmonious family and avoid violence will be much more comfortable to stay home and spend time with family than play with their friends. Forms of communication, both built by the parents tend to make children more open and trusting to the parents. With the full support of the parents, the child will be more motivated to continue their education.[]

Translated by: Emma Hardy