Free school offers hope for Jakarta street children

By Lenita Sulthani

JAKARTA (Reuters) - For Qodir, who ekes out a living collecting garbage in the Indonesian capital, an elementary school diploma was just a dream, until he enrolled at a free school for street children three years ago.

A group of activists has set up a makeshift school in one of Jakarta's crowded slums, providing children and their parents with free lessons and practical training such as sewing and motorbike repairs.

"I am very happy that we have this school here. I hope the school will be here forever," said 13-year-old Qodir, who goes by one name like many Indonesians.

Last year, the school, run by the Nanda Dian Nusantara foundation, enrolled him for elementary school national exams to obtain a diploma. He said he planned to continue his study at an Islamic school in June this year.

Children working as beggars, food hawkers and garbage collectors are a common sight on the streets of Jakarta, many earning as little as $1 a day.

The children have often been sent out onto the streets by impoverished parents who can't support their families, and as a result, are deprived of an education.

At the makeshift school equipped with wooden tables, dozens of child workers sit on the floor, receiving lessons for two hours in the morning and another two hours in the afternoon.

It is often tough to get the children to attend classes since many have to work to help their parents, who are mostly garbage collectors.