From now on, children should not bully or make fun of their friends with disabilities. (Are you) ready? Because everyone is the same.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini has asked Indonesian children to not bully others but inculcate a habit of taking care and helping one other instead, especially children with disabilities.



"From now on, children should not bully or make fun of their friends with disabilities. (Are you) ready? Because everyone is the same," she said here on Monday.



The minister greeted children, especially those from the frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) areas, via an online video conference held as part of the commemorations of National Children's Day in East Lombok district, West Nusa Tenggara, on Monday.



She asked children to develop the habit of taking care of each other, saying Indonesian children are brothers and sisters of one nation.


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"There are friends who are disabled, maybe they are not perfect in seeing (have difficulties with vision), (or) do not possess a particular body part, but that must not make us look down on them," Rismaharini said.



She then cited the example of one child, Gading, who was not discouraged by his disability. With hard work and assistance from the Social Affairs Ministry, Gading was able to save Rp20 million and buy a new motorbike for his parents.



The minister also told the children joining the commemoration event about how President Joko Widodo's grandson, Jan Ethes Srinarendra, interacted with a child with cerebral palsy, and how her granddaughter, Gwen, interacted with a child with a heart defect.



She also handed out social rehabilitation assistance (ATENSI) worth Rp3.8 billion for East Lombok children.

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The series of National Children's Day celebrations took place at 17 venues in five sub-districts in East Lombok, 10 community points in the 3T areas, and 2 venues in the ministry's integrated centers.



Children from indigenous tribes such as the Anak Dalam Tribe in Jambi, Baduy ethnic group in Banten, and Asmat ethnic group in Papua Amagais, among others, also took part in the event.


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Translator: Devi R, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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