Concert brings hope to children

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 07/04/2007 10:44 AM | National

Wasti Atmodjo, Contributor, Denpasar

In a moving concert held recently at the Patra Bali Hotel and Resort in Kuta, Bali, more than 100 children from different backgrounds performed together to raise money for children infected with HIV/AIDS.

The 26 member Panji Sakti Choir Group from Gerokgak village, Buleleng regency, North Bali, joined forces with members of the Bavish Violin School to perform contemporary and traditional songs to an appreciative audience.

The first song they performed was Swedish pop group ABBA's hit ""I Have a Dream"". With limited English, the children from Gerokgak tried their best to sing the song perfectly.

""The song really embodies their dream, despite the fact their English abilities are far from perfect. But the song was just so beautifully performed,"" said Fitria who was sitting in the front row of the audience.

The Panji Sakti Choir Group is made up of children who contracted HIV/AIDS from their parents. Many of them are orphans because their parents have died as a result of the virus.

Children from the Bavish Violin School are predominately from wealthy families and rarely interact with disadvantaged children, making the pairing of the groups quite unique.

During the concert, the children also performed ""Bohemian Rhapsody"", ""Edelweiss"", ""Blue Danube"", ""O' Solemio"" and several traditional songs.

Tickets were sold for Rp 35,000 and all proceeds from the concert went to Bali Community Care (BBC), a foundation which supports HIV/AIDS-infected children.

""We did not expect to generate a lot of funding from the concert. Instead, we really wanted to rouse people's awareness and willingness to share their money with these poor and sick children,"" Dr. Oka from BBC said.

""It was a good collaboration and a priceless experience and lesson for each child involved in this concert,"" he said.

According to Bali's AIDS Commission office, an estimated 4,000 people are infected with HIV/AIDS in Bali, many of whom are children and teenagers.

The Deputy Governor of Bali, Alit Kelakan, who is also chairman of the commission, urged the public to be cautious about the risks associated with contracting HIV/AIDS.

""We have to be well-informed about HIV/AIDS and how it spreads. It is also extremely important that we eliminate discrimination and social stigma toward those infected with HIV/AIDS,"" Kelakan said.

Sustainable funding is badly needed to provide people infected with HIV/AIDS adequate access to health care on the island.

""Children with HIV/AIDS must be supported to enable them to receive an education and health care and ensure their basic needs are met,"" Kelakan said.

The BCC currently supports 23 children with HIV/AIDS in Gerokgak. Each child requires approximately Rp 300,000 per month.

""We do hope to extend our support to other children in different areas, but we still have to raise more funds,"" Dr. Oka said.

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