Sunday, October 20, 2024
The Harsh Realities: Life as a Street Child in Villages and Cities
YKPA Projects Inspire Me to Continue My Education
In 2007, I became one of the youngest founders of a non-profit organization in Bali, and possibly in Indonesia. Despite having only a high school education and taking the risk of leading without formal leadership school degree, I didn’t let that stop me from following my heart and my desire to legally help people in Bali, the island where I was born.
After traveling to several islands in Indonesia and visiting Singapore for the first time, I was amazed by the towering modern buildings. My second international trip was to India, where I witnessed the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. These experiences and seeing many remote and underdeveloped villages in Indonesia only strengthened my resolve to help others, driven by a calling from my heart.
My motivation to learn grew stronger, and I am deeply grateful to Michael, who has always supported me more than anyone else, even more than my own parents. His support reminds me of the song “You Raise Me Up.” In 2009, I started studying IT Management Informatics. Balancing the early stages of YKPA, being a mother to my son, and studying was incredibly challenging and difficult. Specially the ykpa just the beginning started even more harder manage my time. However, I persevered and finally graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2012, earning the title Ni Pande Putu Etiartini AMd.
story to be continue
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Journey of Hope: A Survey of Bali Street Children’s Lives
I feel very sad when I recall the first moments I got to know street children more deeply. Their age should be spent in school, playing with friends, and enjoying childhood. However, they have to be on the streets, selling bracelets, begging, or selling fruit to earn money. Even then, the money is not fully used by the children themselves; most of it has to be handed over to their boss or adults, or even family members who brought them from the village to live in Kuta, Bali, where many tourists pass by enjoying Bali.
Their age should be for schooling and playing, not working hard to earn money. I wondered, what could I do for them? Just giving them food is not enough to help them. Then the idea of providing them with education came up. But where to start? Sending them to formal school would be difficult.
One night, I heard that some street children were arrested by the local security (trantib). That night, at 1:30 AM, I went to see them. They were arrested and lying on the ceramic floor like fish. I saw the frightened faces of the little children. I couldn’t imagine the trauma of their childhood with such experiences. How could they receive love and protection from their parents like other children?
Living on the streets can make them vulnerable to various forms of abuse, both sexual from tourists or adult strangers, and physical abuse. A hard life can happen anytime and every moment. The feeling of pressure and worry can worsen because something bad can happen at any time.
There was a story from the local security (trantib) that most street children are afraid of them. Even from a distance of 500 meters, if they see the shadow of the trantib, they will run as fast as possible to hide or avoid being caught. One trantib officer told me that one day he was just walking around without being on duty, but the street children recognized his face and ran away in fear. One of the children was hit by a car and died. The trantib officer did not intend to catch or scare them. It was very unfortunate.
Trantib officers are also human. They are only tasked with maintaining security, not being evil to street children. Many of them are kind-hearted like police officers in general. They have feelings and families. However, some street children like to steal and pickpocket tourists’ wallets who pass by in Popis 1 and Popis 2 in Kuta, Bali. Not all street children do that, but some have crime ingrained in their minds since childhood, maybe because they are forced or no longer cute enough to sell bracelets as teenagers.
If we trace it, who is to blame and who should be responsible? The parents who gave birth to them in this world do not take responsibility for their lives. I feel I can’t do much to help them, even though my heart is very sad to see their reality. Imagining my child, Gustu, who is still small and the same size as them, I could never imagine that happening to him, even though I am a single mother.
At that time, I thought of helping with the small things they needed. I asked one of them, Risky, and his brother. Every night I saw them selling bracelets on the street. Risky is the cutest, most charming, and polite child. It’s a pity that such a good child is on the streets every night without schooling. I asked him what he wanted. He answered, “I really want to go to school and wear a red and white uniform like other children my age.” Tears came out of my eyes hearing those words. I was determined to fight for them to get an education, hoping their dreams would come true.
Please follow and stay tuned for the next story. I will be uploading a video soon, which is currently in progress. Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for reading and watching the video. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Putu Etiartini / Founder ykpa.org
+62 (0)81337411112 / +62 (0)81353320001
care4child@ykpa.org
www.ykpa.org or www.balistreetkids.org
Facebook Page : YKPA (Bali Street Kids Project)
http://www.balistreetkid.blogspot.com/
Putu Etik Bali story / lovebaliarts@gmail.com
My Story with YKPA and Michael Helping Street Children in Bali
Let’s go back to the early days when YKPA was born in 2007. The foundation’s permit was issued on October 24, 2007, but we had already started our work from 2006 until we officially established YKPAin 2007. Most people see YKPA as it is now, with two comfortable homes:
- YKPA Kids Home in Denpasar: Facebook page and favebook ykpakids We started this home in 2009. This is close to my own home in Denpasar. Although we call it an orphanage, not all the children are orphans; most are disadvantaged children. The term “orphanage” is used due to government regulations.
- YKPA Home in Tabanan: https://www.facebook.com/Balistreetkidsproject This home for disadvantaged children started in 2015. We decided to split the teenage kids from the younger ones because teenagers often have emotional challenges that require more attention, which can take away from the care needed for younger children, especially those under five years old. I want all kids to get enough space and staff caregivers to give enough attention to all they need in different ages.
- Shelter for Women: Many women I have seen physical and emotional abuse. We offer a safe place for them to sleep, eat, and receive support. Special pregnant women without partners also face stigma in Bali and Indonesia, so we provide them with a safe room and emotional support. We help them until their babies are born, and if the mothers can choose to take the baby with them and leave their babies with us, we take care of them. Currently, we have seven children who were left with us after birth, and we care for them as our own, ensuring they attend good schools where they learn English, Bahasa, and Mandarin.
- Bamboo School for Street Children in Kuta: This school, known as the Bali Street Kids Project School, originated from a school for street children on Kuta Beach. More on this in the next story. facebook Balisteertkids project school
- Village Kids Project: facebook This project is no longer continued because Ibu Eka Swandewi who was instrumental in building it, is now in a difficult situation. We hope donors can help her with $50 a month. During the pandemic, she provided extra education for village children and helped organize the community to distribute groceries food to about 50-100 families in different villages. and blankets for elderly people in Tabanan, being a cold place under Mount Batu Karu, is different from the beach areas of Denpasar and Kuta.
I moved to the USA for many reasons that I can’t mention one by one, and everything happened just like that. I believe we all go through karma and must face and overcome all problems.
6. I used to visit remote villages every month, bringing donations like groceries and clothes, but now I have paused because I’m not in Bali. I miss what I did because it was my passion to see people smile when I gave them something. Their words of thanks touched my heart, but I always felt grateful for the opportunity to help, as happiness cannot be bought with money.
Let’s get to the point: Everyone sees the progress of the project over time, but those who weren’t there from the beginning may only see the success without understanding the years of hard work behind it. They don’t know the countless challenges that came one after another, like a roller coaster, much like the twists and turns of life itself. The journey has often felt as difficult as walking barefoot over sharp rocks while climbing a mountain. At times, we face steep cliffs and dangerous drops, where even the smallest misstep or wrong decision could lead to disaster. Yet, there are also moments when we reach heights and witness beautiful views, experiencing a range of emotions along the way. But because I was determined to help these children and fought tirelessly without giving up, we made it. It doesn't matter how hard i don't feel it because my passion.
Now, the bamboo school located in Kuta Kresek, known as the Bali Street Kids Project School, originated from a school for street children on Kuta Beach. Before opening the school, I surveyed and approached street children, sometimes I sat with them at traffic lights while they begged, and sometimes I went out at night when they sold handmade bracelets from their mothers. or another adult behind that and organize it as a business. I wanted to understand why they were on the streets at such a young age, from 10 PM to 2 AM. How could they attend school like other children their age? How could their parents let them roam the streets until dawn without fear of something happening to them like any other parent would? What if they were sexually harassed by strangers, with so many predators lurking at night? What if they were caught by village security? All these questions were in my mind, unanswered, until I got to know their situation better.
Because I am Balinese and friendly, and I know the culture and how to interact it was easy for me to hang out with the kids, and they naturally trusted me and slowly shared their stories.
Okay, let’s continue the next story. Please watch the old video I made during the pandemic and the video of my survey soon still in proses. Most of the photos and videos are lost because it was 17 years ago, but a few remain that I can document to show the situation back then.
Of course, all this progress was not just me and Michael, it also involved donors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff with good hearts who stayed loyal because we all felt a calling. If not for their good hearts and hard work, helping people would not have continued for so long. I feel so thankful for all of you, but I apologize if I mostly talk about my story because it’s easier for me to share my past experiences here.
Alright, please follow the next story about street children in Bali.
Putu Etiartini / Founder ykpa.org
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Putu Etik Bali Story : From Bali to San Diego: A Heartfelt Journey My Sto...
Putu Etik Bali Story : From Bali to San Diego: A Heartfelt Journey My Sto...: Hello, everyone! My name is Putu Etiartini, and I am excited to share my story with you. I was born in a small village called Dusun Sunant...
Please Subscribe to Putu Etik Bali story https://putuetikbalistory.blogspot.com/ and YouTube channel Love bali arts https://youtu.be/Q2SOCRUIbUM and Putu Etiartini Youtube https://youtu.be/kdHuNKzHppUfor regular updates and old content and new content
Thank You and enjoy
Monday, October 14, 2024
Join me on this journey as we explore the birth of YKPA and follow the story of its beginnings.
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The Birth of YKPA: A 17-Year Adventure
Welcome to the YKPA blog! I’m Putu Etiartini, the founder of YKPA.org. If you’re interested in my personal journey, you can also check out my other blog, “Putu Etik Bali Story,” which I started in 2007. Here, I share my experiences and the story of YKPA. Let’s travel back to 2007 and 2008 to explore the beginnings of YKPA and follow its story up to 2024. It’s been a 17-year journey filled with ups and downs, challenges, and triumphs.
After returning from a trip to survey organizations across the islands of Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, and other parts of Indonesia, I was inspired by the diverse cultures and languages I encountered. Meeting different people was incredibly interesting and rewarding. Despite some initial challenges, such as being a woman riding a motorcycle and facing judgments from locals, my friendly demeanor and smile helped change their perceptions. My partner, Michael, and I were on a mission to help people, which was an essential part of our journey.
During our month-long trip back from Flores, I began thinking about starting a non-profit organization in Bali. We also planned to extend our help to other islands like Flores. Starting YKPA was a significant challenge, especially with only a high school education. Despite Michael’s support and his impressive qualifications (RN, NP, MPH), I still felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the project. However, we began YKPA with a mission to help street children, and that was the start of our incredible journey.
Stay tuned for the next chapter: the beginnings of YKPA.
Putu Etiartini founder ykpa
+62 (0)81337411112 / +62 (0)81353320001
Setiap email balasan Anda harap Cc ke: care4child@ykpa.org
www.ykpa.org (atau www.balistreetkids.org
Putu Etik Bali story
Facebook: Ykpa kids
Halaman Facebook: YKPA (Bali Street Kids Project)
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Putu Etiartini And Michael Pate story about starting this Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak and Bali street kids project
translate in Bahasa Saya suka melakukan pekerjaan sosial kerjasama dengan NGO Hand by Hand International
(Mr. Michael) yang selalu mensport cita-cita saya membuat Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak. Baca dibawah.
Putu Etiartini’s journey with Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA) is truly remarkable. Here’s a detailed look at her work and the impact of YKPA:
Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA)
Founded in 2007 by Putu Etiartini and Michael Pate, YKPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children in Bali. The organization provides education, shelter, and care for street children, aiming to give them a brighter future
Bali Street Kids Project
YKPA’s Bali Street Kids Project focuses on providing a safe haven for children who live on the streets. The project includes:
- Shelter and Home: YKPA offers a home for children over 11 and teens who need special help. They attend local schools and participate in various activities to build self-esteem1.
- Street Kids School Project: This initiative provides informal education to street children who cannot attend regular schools. Classes are held in safe locations, such as a new bamboo school in a Kuta slum area2.
- Medical and Surgical Assistance: YKPA helps children with serious medical conditions by providing access to necessary care and accommodations during their treatment2.
Empowering Women
YKPA also extends its support to women in need. The organization runs a small shelter for women and their children who require safety and support. Additionally, YKPA offers work training for mothers of street children, helping them gain skills and find employment
Village Assistance
YKPA actively brings donations to impoverished villages in Bali. They distribute clothing, food, and other essentials to families in need. This outreach helps alleviate the hardships faced by many villagers and supports children who come from these areas
Impact and Community Involvement
Through its various projects, YKPA has positively impacted the lives of many children and women in Bali. The organization relies on donations and volunteer support to continue its mission. They also sell handcrafted items, such as dolls and jewelry, to fund their operations1.
For more information, you can visit their official website or their Facebook page.
Putu’s dedication to helping others is truly inspiring. please come joint with her journey and part of YKPA
+62 (0)81337411112 / +62 (0)87861515773
Every email your reply please Cc to: care4child@ykpa.org
www.ykpa.org (or www.
Follow the kids activities daily at:
Facebook: Ykpa kids
Facebook page: YKPA (Bali Street Kids Project)
http://www.balistreetkid.
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