The aid was extended through Pati's Margo Laras Center, a social rehabilitation agency for people with mental disability.
"Distribution of the Atensi program aid package aims to meet the children's needs, such as their nutrition, school supplies, and daily needs," Head of the Pati Margo Laras Center Jiwaningsih noted in an official statement received in Mataram on Saturday.
The distribution of aid to 205 children of Sukamulia Sub-district was part of the commemoration of National Children's Day hosted by the Social Affairs Ministry in 21 sub-districts in East Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara, from July 24 to August 1, 2022.
Jiwaningsih remarked that the aid package covered nutrition, daily living items, school supplies, items for prayers, and assistance for disabilities tailored to each one's needs.
Moreover, they held a traditional game competition and coloring competition for children.
Jiwaningsih believes the children of Sukamulia yearned to participate in these competitions. Amid rapid developments in technology, gadgets could irrefutably draw the children's attention, as they serve as an interesting medium of entertainment.
"Choosing traditional games, such as bentengan, bakiak, and congklak, showed that traditional games have advantages that gadgets do not have," she remarked.
One of the positive outcomes of traditional games included physical trainings during the development years. Moreover, it honed the children's social skills, improved their decision-making skills, as well as taught them about teamwork.
The children appeared enthusiastic while participating in the event as was apparent when they gathered at the sub-district office before the event started.
At 2 p.m. local time, the event kicked off, with the aid being distributed first. In a different room, a coloring competition was hosted after which two rounds of congklak, a traditional game, were held.
At 3 p.m. local time, the children happily participated in the bakiak competition in the office's yard. Lastly, the bentengan traditional game was also hosted.
She noted that the event could be hosted due to support from the head of Sukamulia Sub-district and the officials, the social rehabilitation personnel, and others.
"May the children keep up the spirits in achieving their dreams," she concluded.
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Translator: Awaludin
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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