14-year-old Riki is the youngest child in his family. His father works as a farmer and his mother manages the household chores. Sometimes, she weaves Timor’s traditional clothes to earn money.

“I want to be a policeman when I grow up. As a policeman, I would uphold the law and punish those who break the law,” says Riki. Riki goes to a primary school in his community. The sixth grader loves school very much. Science, social studies, mathematics, religion, Bahasa (an Indonesian language), agriculture and drawing are all his favourite subjects. Every day, he enjoys studying what he learned after school.

“I like science because I get to learn about my surrounding environment,” Riki says. Riki also likes to spend his spare time socialising and playing football with his friends.

Properly Care for Children

Riki joined a World Vision’s children group where children gather and learn together after school. Through this group, Riki is becoming more active and confident to speak in front of people. Riki also gets to learn the history of his village.

Besides Riki, his parents also benefit from World Vision’s interventions. Riki’s parents have actively participated in the parenting workshop for learning how to care for their children properly.

“We did not have a permanent home but we have one now. World Vision also teaches housewives to sew so they can increase the family income. Once a month, parents meet to discuss issues affecting the community children. Now, we understand more about caring for our children. We know what it means to ensure proper health, education and life for our children,” says Riki’s father, Markus.