“I
want to be a doctor so I can help put an end to this terrible
disease that kills even innocent people slowly and painfully.”
Fourteen year-old Fakrul Gamal Putra from the tsunami-hit district
of Banda in Aceh, Indonesia, has just learned about HIV/AIDS.
This important issue was the subject of one of the sessions
at the Indonesian Red Cross national youth camp in South Sumatra.
A natural joker, Fakrul turns deadly serious as he explains
to his fellow youth delegates the truths about AIDS. He tells
them he will organize a youth volunteer group in his school
and community to inform more people, especially young people
like himself who are among the most vulnerable.
“We have witnessed the devastation caused by the tsunami,”
he says. “We should not allow a silent killer like HIV/AIDS
to spread in our land and destroy our people. We must save Aceh
from this monster disease.” His peers make a hand tower
in a gesture of agreement and solidarity.
In another tent, 12-year old Friski of North Sulawesi province
is rehearsing his lines for his group’s presentation.
“The environment can be a friend or a foe,” he recites.
“Protect it and it will protect us. Destroy it and it
will destroy us with a vengeance.” His voice fills the
hall amid the realistically simulated sound of earthquake, tsunami,
flash floods and landslides. His companions act out the panic
that sends people scampering for their lives.
“We hope our presentation will highlight the importance
of protecting our environment so we can prevent more disasters,”
explains 16 year-old Gratia, who plays the role of mother earth.
“Many of the so-called natural disasters are actually
man-made disasters and happen because of man’s excessive
manipulation of nature.”
The national youth camp, or ‘Jumbara’, aims to develop
volunteers of the future through activities that encourage young
people’s understanding of relevant issues and stimulates
them to get involved. Held every five years, this Jumbara is
the largest, with 3,097 youth delegates mostly aged from 10
to 17. Also attending are 42 guest delegates from the Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies of Brunei, China, Germany, Hong Kong,
Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands and Singapore.
“The future of the Red Cross is in the hands of young
people,” says Ullah Nuchrawaty Usman, an Indonesian Red
Cross board member and chairman of the Jumbara organizing committee.
“We want them to understand the humanitarian values of
the organization and realize the difference they can make especially
in the lives of people in distress.”
“The event is impressive, well organized and offers a
range of activities that develop the creative talents and leadership
qualities of young people,” says Jimmy Foo See Shing,
youth adviser of the Brunei delegation. “We will try to
do the same in Brunei.”
Bjoern, a delegate from the German Red Cross, says his group
will spend two days helping Indonesian youth volunteers in their
humanitarian work for tsunami survivors. “We are overwhelmed
by what the Red Cross, especially the Indonesian Red Cross,
is doing to help the tsunami survivors,” he says. “We
want to be a part of it, even in a small way.”
Thura Aung of Mynmar and Vairaran of Malaysia say they will
organize community-based first aid in their schools and neighbourhoods
so people can help save lives in times of emergency.
The five-day youth camp was held from 5 to 9 July. It marks
another milestone in the history of the Indonesian Red Cross,
which prides itself on having 1.6 million youth volunteers,
all ready and able to respond to any emergency and disaster.
“We are proud of our youth volunteers – they are
indefatigable,” says Indonesian Red Cross chairman, Pak
Marie Muhammad. “Their spirit of voluntary service is
truly admirable. Only the young can make the humanitarian ideals
of the Red Cross and Red Crescent burn bright in the future.”
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Youth
delegates parade and line up for the solemn and colourful
opening ceremony of Jumbara under the scorching heat of
the sun. (p14280)
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Fourteen
year-old Fakrul Gamal Putra from the tsunami-hit district
of Banda in Aceh, Indonesia, vows he will organize youth
volunteers in his school and community, to let more people,
especially young ones like him who are the most vulnerable,
become aware of HIV/AIDS. (p14269)
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Friski,
Gratia and Mia of North Sulawesi say they enjoy Jumbara
because of the variety of activities it offers which help
develop their talents and skills. (p14275)
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Youth
delegates of North Sulawesi act out the importance of
protecting the environment to prevent more disasters,
during the cultural and art presentation in Jumbara. The
highlight of the drama is the humanitarian work of youth
volunteers helping disaster survivors. (p14274)
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Youth
delegates dress in their traditional clothes for the opening
ceremony of the Indonesia Red Cross Youth Jumbara. (p14276)
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