YKPA: Child of the Month, Sini Resini

CHILD OF THE MONTH

Sini Resiani
age 12

Hard to imagine this child begging at discotheques and bars all night, and being chased and caught by the police, yet that was her life for too many years.

She is living in our group home for almost 1 year, and now looks like a normal child; clean clothes, good hygiene, etc. She was illiterate, but now is reading and doing math. She just won "best behaviour" in the Yayasan awards.

Like all the street kids, Sini did not know her age or birthday, so we had a party for all of them together on Valentines day this year. Photo below shows Sini (pink headscarf) and the kids singing 'happy birthday' to themselves.

Here is her mini-bio, taken from our new calendar showing her artwork:

“When I was 9, I came to Kuta with my older brother and started selling bracelets (begging) and fruit to tourists on the beach. I never going to school because my mother is too poor and school very far away, so better I go to find money for my family. I get money for my self to stay in Kuta and keep money to give to my parents. I eat sometimes only 1- 2 times every day unless I get more money begging. When I selling in road and beach, many times security catch me and they take me far away and dump me on the road at night.

First Birthday and first birthday party

Balinese dancing

When I met Putu (YKPA Director) I asked her to please help me. I kept trying three times until she take me. I want stay in Yayasan to go to school like normal children. I'm happy I stay in Yayasan one year and I get everything I need. I want to be a nurse midwife”.

“I want to sell this painting and buy more canvas and put money in my own bank account. When I ready for half school, I hoping someone will sponsor me for school fees. I want to keep going to school and not be like my sister 15 yrs old and married already in the village. My older girl friends who are still begging with the tourists are going the bad way (prostitution). I must stay in the Yayasan"

Here are some of Sini's canvas paintings.

Help keep Sini in school. Make a contribution to the Yayasan here.