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Andri Widiyanto (Media Indonesia, Jakarta)

Life is not always about choices. At times, we have no choice, for instance we cannot pick the family we are born into. Sandi Junior (8) was born amid a tough family situation: his parents do not have citizenship paperworks, belong to a low socio-economic class and education level. Sandi lives with them in a fisherman’s village in Cilincing, a storied neighborhood in the Northern or Jakarta. He lives next to a prostitution area with a façade of karaoke cafes.

Sandi usually helps his mother at her sundry shop that occupies parts of their home. The shop’s operational hours follow those of the café, from late afternoon to the following morning. In his spare time, Sandi plays with his friends. He often reuses found objects to create toys for himself.

His father is part of a fishing crew that is temporarily out of job. At this point in time, the current is too strong to fish. Since he was 5 years old. Sandi has followed his father to the sea. He has become so familiar with it that if somebody was to ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would answer “fishermen!” with no hesitation.

Up to now, Sandi does not have a birth certificate, even though the document is the main requirement to claim his rights as an Indonesian citizen. Without the certificate, it is impossible for Sandi to access public facilities, be it education or health.

In his area, boys generally grow up with two career choices: fisherman crew or illegal parking attendant. Meanwhile, girls usually grow up to be waitresses at the café, escorting the guests or working as sex workers.

Sandi once had an accident when playing. One of the bones in his legs shifted. Alas, without a birth certificate he could not access the health facilities. The lack of medical intervention has caused him to limp when walking.

The lack of birth certificate makes him unable to enroll in a school. Luckily, Merah Putih Learning Center provides free education for school dropouts and underprivileged children in his area.

Sandi is now literate. But would the basic skill be enough to help him gain a better future?