Florensia, 15, is known for her politeness and her hopes for the future. Yet she once struggled to open up to others and feel comfortable with those around her.
“I used to be afraid to share my feelings or talk to other people,” she said.
According to Florensia, this fear stemmed from the verbal bullying she experienced from first grade through the end of junior high school. When she tried to ask for help, she felt that her experiences were not taken seriously.
“When I told the teachers, they thought it was just children joking around. In fifth grade, I was even accused of bullying, even though I was the one being bullied…”
Her parents visited the school to discuss the situation. However, Florensia felt she still had not received the help she needed.
During this difficult time, her beloved father passed away. The loss was especially painful because he had been the person she turned to when she needed someone to talk to.
“I used to share more with Dad…” she said.
Being accused of bullying and losing her father left Florensia deeply hurt. She carried pain, disappointment, and resentment that caused her to withdraw even further.
Then her mother learned that OBI Tanah Harapan Community Learning Center in North Jakarta offered character education. Hoping that Florensia would receive guidance and learn to open up, she enrolled her there.
At OBI, Florensia received academic instruction alongside lessons on kindness and forgiveness. With guidance from her teachers and her mother’s full support, she began learning to forgive those who had accused and hurt her. Gradually, she opened and began talking more often with Ms. Anita, one of her teachers.
Today, Florensia is friendlier and has close friends who accept her. She is also developing her talent for dance through extracurricular activities at OBI Tanah Harapan.
Florensia still misses her father, but she wants to keep moving forward. She plans to attend a vocational high school and dreams of becoming a professional dancer.
To our OBI partners, thank you for supporting education and guidance for children like Florensia. Let us continue working together so that more children have the opportunity to learn, receive support, and face the future with courage.
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Obor Berkat