THE IMPACT OF CHILD EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ISLAMIC CHARACTER EDUCATION BY THE SMART BETING COMMUNITY IN REGIONS WITH STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION, WEST BORNEO

Kampung Beting is one of several floating villages that still exist in West Kalimantan. This first village in Pontianak city was originally the central of government, economic, and central of the spread of Islam in Pontianak. In the past, the people were also well-known for their politeness and hospitality. However, along with the times, the change that was happening was heading towards a negative direction instead. Nowadays, Kampung Beting is stigmatized and discriminated against due to the proliferation of crimes in this region, especially on drug abuse. In areas with stigma and discrimination, children are the most vulnerable party to being victims. As a form of concern for this region, especially for children, a group of people built a community called the Smart Beting Community. The Smart Beting Community strives to abolish stigma, eliminate discrimination, and to prevent the regeneration of drug abuse among the people of Kampung Beting by empowering children through Islamic character education which is packaged in The Beting Loves Quran’s Program and Beting Learning. Therefore, it is necessary to know how the characteristics of children and the impact of child empowerment by this Smart Beting Community. This study is used a descriptive qualitative method. Data collection is done by direct observation, interview, and document review. The results of this study are the child empowerment through Islamic character education carried out by the Smart Beting Community was having a positive impact. Suggestions conveyed are the need for additional volunteers who served as instructors and makes clear and firm rules for the improvement and development of the community. In addition, there is also a need for more intensive cooperation with parents, the government and the society.