Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar
Dear Tammi Aimi, Ternate. I'm longing for my home and to see
all my friends. But I'm scared, wondering if you, my friend Tammi,
are willing to welcome me back, as we saw our family among those
who attacked yours. Your friend, Sukardi
The letter was written by 12-year-old Sukardi Razak, an
Ambonese refugee in Makassar and was one of seven that made it to
the final of a painting, poetry and letter writing competition.
Dozens of young refugees from Ambon entered the contest, which
was organized by the Children's Advocacy Study Investigating
Institute (LISAN) and the Team for the Settlement of Ambonese
Cases, supported by the Makassar branch of UNICEF in the city's
fort of Rotterdam last week. The competition received 31
paintings, 13 poems and seven letters.
Interestingly, most of the work reflected various acts of
violence, which the children tried to depict through drawings,
poems and short stories.
Sandi Laksana Said, a 10-year-old student in Makassar, painted
a man in a green uniform and a resident beheading one another.
Several other pictures showed hostility in detail through arson
attacks, with one showing a Muslim and a Christian facing each
other, swords unsheathed. There were drawings done in a random
black scrawl, a failed attempt to translate the relevant
experiences on paper.
The same was evident in the children's poetry category.
Twelve-year-old Zulfikar Imran composed "The Idul Fitri
Tragedy", a vivid description of the atmosphere during
Ambon's first riot in 1998. Letters appeared in a similar tone.
Sukardi Razak, while expressing his longing to see old friends in
Ternate, revealed his distrust to his close friend, Tammi. "I
dread going home," he said.
Zaenal Beta, one of several artists scrutinizing the work, was
surprised at the children's spontaneous reaction. In his opinion,
their creations mirrored the fear and trauma of Ambon's refugees.
"In many cases, their sketches are no longer composed of
unbroken lines. Some don't even draw shapes to interpret, because
their imaginations can no longer take form," added painter
Beta.
Ismarli Muis, a psychologist at state-run Makassar University,
concluded that in general, the Ambonese children he had met
suffered from emotional trauma.
"Acts of violence have become something the youngsters
cannot forget. Once they witness brutality, they will always
remember it," said Ismarli, who has been an active volunteer
helping refugees in Makassar.
Their trauma, he said, is manifested in their artwork. Ismarli
discovered through his counseling sessions with several children
that they were physically healthy, but were suffering from severe
emotional trauma. The affliction is usually noticeable from their
sudden fits of anxiety and inability to hear explosions, screams
and cries, which follow almost every atrocity in children's lives.
Based on data from LISAN, over 1,000 Ambonese children are
taking refuge in South Sulawesi, with at least 700 sheltering in
Makassar and Gowa. The rest can be found in the regencies of Wajo
and Sidrap. The highest total of Ambonese refugees ever recorded
in Makassar is 9,000.
LISAN-Makassar coordinator Rusdin Tompo said not all the
Ambonese children in the city were properly registered, because
they were scattered throughout the area, staying in local
residents' homes instead of camps. This is not a good situation
for the children as it limits their access to assistance and
schooling, and "they have the right to receive education and
mental enrichment", he added.
Their situation has been worsened by the lack of attention
given by the government on the fate of young refugees. If any aid
is provided, it is sporadic and unscheduled. "We hope there
will be serious efforts and measures taken to look after them.
They cannot be left to grow up in the shadow of their murky
past," appealed Rusdin.
Rusdin's statement rings true. Unless appropriate steps are
taken to deal with the issue of young Ambonese refugees in
Makassar, the fears of world-renowned psychologist Rizzini may be
confirmed. Rizzini once said that children were the beginning of a
civilization, and violent acts affecting them herald the
destruction of civilization. The question is whether or not the
nation is still concerned about the fate of its young generation.
