Dika, representing Nias children at a National level

Fifteen-year-old Dika is from Nias, an island located in North Sumatra. Dika is just like most teenagers, brave and curious. He also likes to explore everything. His courage brought him to Jakarta in January.

For the first time in his life, Dika came to the capital city of Indonesia and met new friends from many islands. He came here with a reason; to represented Nias children. Together with other child representatives from other islands, Dika was the voice of Indonesian children to the government through Action 2015, an alliance of organizations that reflect the diversity of activist fighting for injustice, inequalities, poverty, and climate change.

“To get birth certificate, our parents need to pay 1 million rupiahs. That is so expensive for us in Nias,” Dika explained.

Dika and his new friends had a chance to meet with House of Representatives members and also some ministers including Anies Baswedan, the Minister of Education and Yohana Yembise, the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection. They also visited some ministries including Ministry of Health Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, and Child Protection Committee.

Although he is still a young man, he cares what happens to his generation. As a student of first year in senior high school, Dika spoke on behalf of Nias children through the Nias Child Group.

The child group is assisted by World Vision Indonesia. At the group, Dika learns many things and discussed the issues with his friends. Dika who was previously not brave enough to speak in front of a crowd, can bravely speak about his community with both the local and national government.

One of the injustice Dika spoke about was related to the birth certification. In Nias, the cost to issue a birth certificate for a child is too expensive.

“To get a birth certificate, our parents need to pay 1 million rupiahs (about USD 76) which is so expensive for us in Nias,” he explained in front of the House of Representatives members on 14 January 2015.

The teenager who dreams of being a journalist also said that midwives and health staff didn’t reside in his village. This causes a big impact for villagers due to lack of health services. He brought this issue to the staff of the Ministry of Health Affairs. He hopes that midwives and health staff will come and reside in his village.

Dika learned that his voice is important for change in the nation.

“Don’t be apathetic. We need to care of our nation. We need to raise our voices too because we deserve to be heard,” he spoke of his message for Indonesian children.

Written by Rena Tanjung, Field Communications Officer, World Vision Indonesia