SA for Paediatric Cancer & Special Needs Children
Making dreams come true, though for a while, Leo Club Jakarta Kharisma brings Paediatric Cancer and Special Needs Children play in Kidzania and collaborates with Special Olympics Indonesia and Save the Children.
Children are the bearers of parents’ hopes. They were given names with special meanings, and efforts and prayers of parents are always present at every stage of a child’s development.
However, some parents must face greater trials when their child is diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer or is unable to grow and develop normally—or has special needs. Many of them fell into despair, give up, or even blame each other.
This is the main reason for the initiative, organized by Leo Club Jakarta Kharisma, under the sponsorships of the Lions Club District 307A1.
Bearing the concept, “From Young People, By Young People and For Young People”, Leo Club Jakarta Kharisma invite children from RSL (Lions Shelter for Paediatric Cancer Children) as well as special needs children with autism and other developmental disabilities to play at Kidzania amusement park which provides activities in the context of professions according to their aspirations and dreams.
“We took the initiative to invite these underprivileged children to play at Kidzania because we want to rekindle their dreams of a future,” said Jonathan, President of Leo Club Jakarta Kharisma, who is also the Chair of the organizing committee for this activity.
“As a member of a family special needs children, I have a personal experience, where as an older sibling, my younger brother faces various obstacles and challenges every day in the community, and how many of our people has yet to understand or is ready to accept and respond to them,” he continued.
Present in the events are two International Organizations, namely Special Olympics Indonesia and Save the Children, which undoubtedly broadened the horizons and opened the perspectives of every guests. Hope arose that benefits of this activity would not end with the event. Rather, it could be a new starting point for collaboration, creating a platform and rekindling hopes of these children in the future.
The Lions Club District Governor 307A1, Hastuti Boediwibowo Kresna, stated, “LIONS is helping to build a world where every child has the right for survival, the right for protection, the right for proper education and development, and the right to participate in every aspect of life.”
“Our work is not yet finished. Many children and young people still have their basic rights neglected. All assistance and programs for children with disabilities must involve those with disabilities themselves,” she added.
One parent of a child with special needs, Grace Fenny, stated, “As parents of children with special needs, our hope is not special treatment, but rather Acceptance.”
Lack of socialization often results in them becoming victims of teasing and bullying. “We hope that our children can grow, participate, and receive equal opportunities,” Fenny added.
Mrs. Eltin Kusnandar, who has two children with special needs, echoed this sentiment. “We realize that we are getting older, and as parents, we are naturally worried about the future of Echa (Vanessa) and Mike (Michael) when we are gone.”
“We hope one day there will be more good people, supported by a solid and structured system in the form of a strong social organization, who can help our children live independently,” she continued.
On this occasion, the Leos and event sponsors such as PT. Forisa Nusapersada, also had the opportunity to hand over donations as a form of support for activities for athletes with special needs, supported by Special Olympics Indonesia and other programs from Save the Children.
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