According to Howard Gardner, children's intelligence consists of 9 intelligences, including musical, naturalist, linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, visual spatial, logical mathematical, kinesthetic, and moral intelligence. This is what drives me and Lieutenant Ratno to give ourselves to be an extension of God's hand to help Papuan children. Almost 4 years of serving in Papua, this is an honor that God has given us as Officers. Starting from my longing to stay connected with the children. I invited Lieutenant Ratno to go out and see the area around us. The result of the trip was that we found that there were many Papuan children who lived in very inadequate conditions. Some of them had to work at an age when they should be playing and learning, some of them could not go to school because they did not have money, and some of them could not eat because they did not have money.
This situation prompted me and Lieutenant Ratno to immediately open a children's ministry for Papuan children. We went to a village in the Kokoda Rufei Complex right where the Salvation Army Church is located. God led us to see the surrounding area first. We received full support from the Village Head and the parents of the children in the Kokoda Complex. We played, studied, danced, gave milk and bread every Sunday. We saw their growth directly both physically and cognitively. Lieutenant Ratno also taught them skills in playing the pianica. I am grateful that the children began to dare to dance and play music at several special events and the Sorong city government. This is the first step to foster children's love for themselves. Realizing that they are valuable and have the ability to do many things.
In this ministry, we are not alone because we have full support from the Leaders at the Salvation Army Indonesia Headquarters. Mayor Komang Wibowo as the Director of the Salvation Army Project in Indonesia opened a good cooperation with several donors from both SAWSO and the Netherlands for the development of more impactful children's ministry.
In May 2023, we opened a place in the corps called the “Community Learning Center”. This place is specially designed to be a place for children to play and learn. In this place we also provide volunteers to help children develop their talents and interests. Here children can read a variety of books, play music, play badminton and soccer, play chess, and dance. Not only that, we also provide exciting games that can stimulate children's brain development and monthly health checks for children carried out by the West Sorong Health Center. I think that the Community Learning Center should be a fun place for children. My hope is that the 9 intelligences that children have must be directed and developed.
Deuteronomy 32:11 says this: "As an eagle stirs up the contents of its nest, hovers over its chicks, spreads out its wings, accommodates one, and supports it on its wings." In my opinion, the eagle takes action by shaking its nest so that its chicks want to fly high. Training children to do, starting with adult actions. We cannot sit back and wait for children to do it themselves. Children need companions who can train and accompany them to achieve success. Jesus bless you.
By: Letnan Ruth Friska Panjaitan
