"I would like to have a president who builds a nation superior in brains, not braun," said fifth-grader Sonia Izati Azzahra of SDN 09, a state primary school in South Rawabadak, North Jakarta.
Sonia told The Jakarta Post about her dream president during An exhibition of handicrafts made from recycled materials, that was organized by the Indonesian Street Children Organization (ISCO) on Wednesday ,in Tanah Merah, North Jakarta.
"I would like to see Indonesia as a developed country. Foreigners come to Indonesia with their brains and treat Indonesians as laborers who can only be proud of their muscles," said the outstanding student who won a maths olympiad in her district.
Sonia and many other children who receive financial assistance from ISCO expressed their thoughts about an ideal president, on a long white cloth at the exhibition.
"I would like to have a good president, who fights corruption, cares for the poor and helps people to prosper," Sonia wrote.
"The president should also be able to take a step forward in industrialization," she said enthusiastically amongst her friends.
Another fifth grader, Fiki Ambiah, said, "I would like to see a peaceful Indonesia, free from violent demonstrations and riots."
Students were also keen to show visitors their handicrafts on display.
"This is a piggy bank. My friends and I made it from a shoe box wrapped in recycled paper and embellished it with flower ornaments," said Nurul Ismianti, another fifth grader of SDN 09.
"The flowers were taken from an old headband," she said.
The students made various handicrafts from old newspapers, plastic bottles, popsicle sticks and other recycled materials.
"They came up with their own ideas. I helped them explore," said Nurilla Risnida, one of the tutors.
Hendrico Siahaan, head of the Tanah Merah people's forum, said he was concerned about children's education in the area.
"Many children don't go to school simply because they don't have birth certificates. Parents don't care about their children's education, and children are too lazy to go to school because they think they can get by singing in the street," Hendrico said.
"We hope to see improvements in many parts of this area, because this is a slum area. The government often neglects it," he said.
Many of the neighborhood's residents were scavengers, street vendors, construction workers or drivers, Hendrico added.
ISCO chairman Soetjahjo said, "Our ambition is to provide a proper education for children and support them until they can reach bachelor's or master's degree levels."
"This organization provides them with skills and teaches them to live independently, socially and economically." (nia)
