CWS News

JAKARTA- KSN stands for Kesetiakawanan Sosial Nasional or National Social Solidarity, an annual event commemorated by Indonesian on December 20. On October 27 to 30, 2011 the Social Affairs Ministry hosted 2011 KSN Expo that has brought together all stakeholders -- including local government of 33 provinces, private sectors, and NGOs – to share their experiences in implementing development programs. Better coordination and cooperation between the actors of development have always been the expected outcome. The expo that was opened by Salim Segaf Al-jufri, the Minister of Social Affairs was the fourth held by the ministry.

Church World Service Indonesia has been a partner of Social Affairs Ministry to support sustainable development and address the root causes of poverty to improve the quality of life of the poor and strengthening civic institution through it’s emergency response, disaster risk reduction, livelihood, health and nutrition, water, hygiene, and sanitation, HIV and AIDS and urban refugee programs.

Various audiences visited KSN Expo 2011. Some children came over to read hygiene and sanitation and psychosocial comics that CWS developed to support it's programs.
(Andi Mariyasari/ CWS Indonesia)

In KSN expo CWS promoted it’s programs through information, education and communication material display such as posters, flipcharts, and books. The IEC materials have been developed to support programs such as HIV and AIDS, water, hygiene and sanitation, health and nutrition, and livelihood in various areas like Nias, Soe, Mentawai, and Padang Pariaman. Not only the IEC materials were displayed, but brochures on HIV and AIDS, breastfeeding, reproductive health, agriculture and psychosocial were also distributed to improve public's knowledge on the issues.

In addition, we gave HIV and AIDS education to young visitors, who were mostly junior high school students. Although they claimed that they have heard about HIV and AIDS, they didn’t know and understand how the virus is transmitted and what AIDS is. In this occasion, CWS’ staffers explained about HIV and AIDS to the students as well as to the adult visitors.

We also gave opportunity for some children read comics about hygiene and sanitation as well as about assertive communication and fear in CWS’ booth. The comics “Hidup bersih cegah diare” or “Hygienic behavior prevents diarrhea” teaches children the importance of handwashing, keeping the environment clean and others related to hygiene and sanitation. Children can learn on how to communicate assertively through reading “Bicara melegakan hati” or “To communicate makes you feel relieved” comic. They also can learn that fear is normal and it can actually help in critical time through the comic “Takut melindungiku” or “Fear protects me”.