- 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
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