AEGiS-IFRC: Training young people as volunteers of the future in Indonesia

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Training young people as volunteers of the future in Indonesia

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - July 19, 2006
Teresita P. Usapdin

"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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