ANAK BANGSA - the Children - Their lives

<body> <p>Their Lives</p> <p>Lombok has many wonderful aspects, beautiful beaches, lush green sawa’s and it is a popular tourists destination. Despite this the standard of living on the island for many of its residents is still very low and lagging far behind its neigbour Bali.<br /> <br /> Due to social and economic problems life on Lombok is tough for many of the local children. Most grow up in an environment where there is little money to meet the day-to-day family needs. To put this in perspective, some households have less than one euro a day to live on.<br /> <br /> “Three out of four children have to work on the streets to make money to go to school.” (Survey of 224 Children of Lombok, Anak Bangsa, June 2007)<br /> <br /> The children of Lombok live in bamboo or semi permanent houses that are small, dark and unhygienic. Many live in cramped conditions with four or five siblings. The family’s focus is on survival rather than education.<br /> <br /> “Only 6% of the children in Lombok continue studying after Elementary School.” (Survey of 224 Children of Lombok, Anak Bangsa, June 2007)<br /> <br /> Tradition dictates that children help their family and this responsibility forces them to work and forgo studying. This creates a circle of poverty as each generation fails to develop skills enabling them to build a better future.</p> <p></p> <p>A way forward: the children of Anak Bangsa</p> <p>The After School Care Program is set out for underprivileged children between 8 and 14 years old, who are going to school. They are most motivated to learn, play and develop life skills.<br /> <br /> Boys are more likely to end up working on the streets to contribute to the family income. Here they will be exposed to the dangers of the street, such as violence, abuse and trafficking.<br /> <br /> Like Ili (10), living with his parents, one brother and three sisters in a small bamboo house. His father is a ‘chidomo’ driver (horsecar). Ili feels great sense of responsibility towards his family. When there is a need for money he goes on the street to earn it.</p> <p>Want to read more about Ili? Click here.</p> <p></p> <p>Girls are far more restricted to home, taking care of other siblings, cooking and cleaning. This leaves them no time to continue their education. Their only future is to get married.<br /> <br /> Like Nur (10), being in charge of the household- taking care of her younger siblings, cooking and cleaning- while her mother works far away from home.</p> <p>Want to read more about Nur? Click here.</p> <p></p> <p><br /> The care of Anak Bangsa is focussed on preventing underprivileged children working on the streets- now and later. Encouraging to fulfill children’s dreams and strive to build a better life!</p> <p></p> <p>Get to know...</p> <p>To find out what it means to be one of the children of Anak Bangsa, read the stories of Nur, Ili or Eka. Or view the photoseries to see for yourself who they are and how their life looks like.<br /> <br /> Getting to know these children of Anak Bangsa gives you a real sense of the valuable input the After School Care Program has for them.</p> <p>Get to know… Nur, Ili, Eka, Karno and Nia</p> </body>