Workshop participants spend time with Ticket to Life Scouts

“I’m very happy being a Scout. I’ve learned many things from Scouting,” said Dina Fitriani, a 16 year-old girl in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Dina was one of the children under Ticket to Life (TTL) troop visited by the participants of APR Ticket to Life Evaluation and Planning Workshop on 19th December, in Cibubur, Jakarta, Indonesia. The TTL troop is located in SD Kebon Kosong 10 Pagi, an elementary school, situated in a crowded area where several street children are residing who are usually being invited if there are Scouting activities going on. Dina was one of those street children who joined the activity and eventually embraced Scouting.

Before becoming a Scout, Dina admitted that she had a very low self-esteem and self-respect. She rarely interacts with her parents. But when she started joining Scouting activities, slowly, her self-confidence and self-respect improve and becomes more open to her parents. The experience of Dina is usually the stories of other Scouts in her troop.

During the visit, Scouts demonstrated their abilities to the participants and Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed and Youth Programme Director Syd Castillo. The Regional Director said he is very impressed with the troop, which is a good blend of street children and children with a normal upbringing.

While interacting with the Scouts, Boy Scouts of Philippines National Coordinator Sophie Castillo was happy hearing the boys and girls talking about their dreams. Some wants to be doctors, others professional soccer player and ministers. Sophie shared to the children three key factors in reaching their dreams -- believe in yourself, pursue your study, and do not leave Scouting.

Along with other children, Dina appreciated the time they spent with TTL Coordinators which according to them, reinforces their hope of continuing Scouting because they believe Scouting help them become better individuals.

Prior to the visit, participants went to in Indonesia’s national monument, the icon of Jakarta city, and made a short stop at Gerakan Pramuka’s national headquarters as part of their educational tour.

-- Berthold Sinaulan, APR Honorary Correspondent/WOSM Corresponden


Sumber : Scout.org