YPA Children's Center In NTB Opened: Independent Village With Schools, Clinics, And Organic Gardens
JAKARTA The Peduli Anak Foundation (YPA) has completed the construction of the Children's Welfare Center in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), which is designed as a village for independent children complete with residences, schools, health facilities, to organic gardens.
This non-profit initiative will accommodate 300 children '150 full-time stay and 150 others with daily student status from rural villages in the vicinity of the project site.
YPA founder, internet entrepreneur from the Netherlands Chaim Joel Fetter, expressed his concern over the rise of child neglect on the outer islands. "We heard the story of a child sleeping in an abandoned hut and not eating for days. That's heartbreaking," Fetter said in his statement, Thursday, April 24.
YPA previously opened a similar center in Lombok in 2006, but the expansion to Sumbawa was considered urgent due to limited government services on the island.
This five-hectare complex includes 12 houses, SMP elementary schools, mosques, health clinics, mass kitchens that are able to prepare 900 servings a day, sports centers, and organic gardens to meet the nutritional needs of children. In addition to providing education, YPA prepares agricultural and entrepreneurial local-based programs.
The center is also projected to employ dozens of workers from surrounding villages and absorb local farmers' crops. "We want a chain effect on the local economy," Fetter said.
Currently, the building has been established but has not yet been inaugurated; 150 referral children have not been able to occupy the house due to the absence of beds and basic equipment.
Public support flows through donations of more than 8,000 residents, including the initiative to raise school funds and small businesses. YPA is still looking for partners to complete residential facilities.
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Fetter invites people to contribute through the caringanak.org page by donating, providing equipment, or simply spreading information.
This is not just charity, said Fetter. This is about dignity, recovery, and giving real childhood children a possible for the first time in their life.