Jupriadi: Ambon children express trauma through art

The Jakarta Post
May 24, 2002

Dear Tammi Aimi, Ternate. I'm longing for my home and to see all my friends.
But I'm scared, wondering if you, my friend Tammi, are willing to welcome me
back, as we saw our family among those who attacked yours. Your friend,
Sukardi

The letter was written by 12-year-old Sukardi Razak, an Ambonese refugee in
Makassar and was one of seven that made it to the final of a painting, poetry
and letter writing competition.

Dozens of young refugees from Ambon entered the contest, which was organized
by the Children's Advocacy Study Investigating Institute (LISAN) and the Team
for the Settlement of Ambonese Cases, supported by the Makassar branch of
UNICEF in the city's fort of Rotterdam last week. The competition received 31
paintings, 13 poems and seven letters.

Interestingly, most of the work reflected various acts of violence, which the
children tried to depict through drawings, poems and short stories.

Sandi Laksana Said, a 10-year-old student in Makassar, painted a man in a
green uniform and a resident beheading one another. Several other pictures
showed hostility in detail through arson attacks, with one showing a Muslim
and a Christian facing each other, swords unsheathed. There were drawings
done in a random black scrawl, a failed attempt to translate the relevant
experiences on paper.

The same was evident in the children's poetry category. Twelve-year-old
Zulfikar Imran composed "The Idul Fitri Tragedy", a vivid description of the
atmosphere during Ambon's first riot in 1998. Letters appeared in a similar
tone. Sukardi Razak, while expressing his longing to see old friends in
Ternate, revealed his distrust to his close friend, Tammi. "I dread going
home," he said.

Zaenal Beta, one of several artists scrutinizing the work, was surprised at
the children's spontaneous reaction. In his opinion, their creations mirrored
the fear and trauma of Ambon's refugees. "In many cases, their sketches are
no longer composed of unbroken lines. Some don't even draw shapes to
interpret, because their imaginations can no longer take form," added painter
Beta.

Ismarli Muis, a psychologist at state-run Makassar University, concluded that
in general, the Ambonese children he had met suffered from emotional trauma.

"Acts of violence have become something the youngsters cannot forget. Once
they witness brutality, they will always remember it," said Ismarli, who has
been an active volunteer helping refugees in Makassar.

Their trauma, he said, is manifested in their artwork. Ismarli discovered
through his counseling sessions with several children that they were
physically healthy, but were suffering from severe emotional trauma. The
affliction is usually noticeable from their sudden fits of anxiety and
inability to hear explosions, screams and cries, which follow almost every
atrocity in children's lives.

Based on data from LISAN, over 1,000 Ambonese children are taking refuge in
South Sulawesi, with at least 700 sheltering in Makassar and Gowa. The rest
can be found in the regencies of Wajo and Sidrap. The highest total of
Ambonese refugees ever recorded in Makassar is 9,000.

LISAN-Makassar coordinator Rusdin Tompo said not all the Ambonese children in
the city were properly registered, because they were scattered throughout the
area, staying in local residents' homes instead of camps. This is not a good
situation for the children as it limits their access to assistance and
schooling, and "they have the right to receive education and mental
enrichment", he added.

Their situation has been worsened by the lack of attention given by the
government on the fate of young refugees. If any aid is provided, it is
sporadic and unscheduled. "We hope there will be serious efforts and measures
taken to look after them. They cannot be left to grow up in the shadow of
their murky past," appealed Rusdin.

Rusdin's statement rings true. Unless appropriate steps are taken to deal
with the issue of young Ambonese refugees in Makassar, the fears of
world-renowned psychologist Rizzini may be confirmed. Rizzini once said that
children were the beginning of a civilization, and violent acts affecting
them herald the destruction of civilization. The question is whether or not
the nation is still concerned about the fate of its young generation.

by Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar