According to the Ministry of National Education, as of 2010, there are currently approximately 8.3 million Indonesian people aged 15 and older, who are illiterate. Most of them live in small villages and usually work as farmers, fisherman or sell food on the street. On the island of Bali, many people who live in rural villages don’t have jobs and can’t afford to send their children to school. For them, life is a continuous struggle as they deal with issues of survival.
‘I’m an Angel’(IAA) is a Bali-based non-profit foundation which is dedicated to empowering rural communities as they strive to improve their standard of living amidst resource scarcity and socio-economic challenges. Asana Viebeke Lengkong, a 40 year resident of Bali and founder of IAA, began to provide dietary needs to rural communities in 1996 and continued to offer assistance during the height of the Asian economic crisis from 1997-1998. Even though access to rural regions was difficult, Viebeke was committed to supporting communities in need. From 1996 - 2002, Viebeke maintained the program with her own funds, supplying communities with basic health care and dietary needs.
“Our vision is really in the context of sustainability to provide a comprehensive approach to the problems of poverty and environmental degradation,” says Viebeke.
‘I’m An Angel’ has succeeded in setting up some core programs which focus on the following: 1) empowering the community to promote government funding 2) promoting health development 3) and providing socio-economic growth through education.
IAA believes that it is essential to promote education throughout rural communities in order to ease poverty and increase socio-economic growth. Their goal is to empower children with the ability to learn by providing text books, writing equipment, school supplies, and uniforms, as well as making significant repairs to school infrastructures.
“The schools were our entry point. The government began to see what we were doing to help out children in the schools, and they got inspired to also put more attention into the education system,” says Viebeke.
By 2005, the government established two significant educational programs called: ‘Batuan Operation Sekolah’ (BOS) for the renovation and infrastructure of schools and ‘Dana Alokasi Khusus’ (DAK), for the purpose of specific fund allocation. Both of these programs have been fundamental in the major school renovations that have occurred throughout Bali in the past five years. Children can now feel a sense of pride in their schools and be motivated to learn and do well.
The effectiveness of IAA’s and the government’s programs is undeniable. Many parents no longer feel a burden to send their children to school. Thus, more children are going and staying at school. When IAA’s program first began, there were only about 90 students. By the end of the year the enrollment dramatically increased to 250 students.
Creating sustainable development is also a key factor in empowering communities. Through successful implementation of sustainable development, the foundation empowers communities to monitor their successes and ultimately encourage the Indonesian government to match donation funds.
Another area which cannot be ignored is adequate health care for people living in rural areas. IAA strongly believes that through empowering and supporting the underprivileged with proper healthcare, the future of communities can be greatly improved. IAA assists with giving proper medication, vaccinations and education to those in need. In addition, they also provide medical professionals, mobile clinics and routine check-ups throughout the year. IAA is committed to helping reduce the infant/mother mortality rates by offering suitable education for pregnant women and new mothers. They also continue to provide underprivileged children with the necessary vitamins and nutrients to maintain a healthy diet.
IAA currently works with 96 schools throughout Bali with 20,000 children who are orphans and disadvantaged. They have established a variety of quality educational programs and also provide many of the children with school books, stationery, shoes, and nutritional supplements including vitamin B complex, milk, eggs, soybean porridge and uniforms.
Viebeke asserts that about 99% of the villagers are illiterate. In an effort to reduce this number, IAA offer classes to mothers who come with their toddlers to the multi-function center where children can play while moms learn how to read and write.
“They aren’t educated and live in a secluded area, which makes it difficult for them to advance their lives. Our goal is to empower the villagers so that they can have a better quality of life and be able to meet their own basic needs,” says Viebeke.
Another great program is the ‘Mobile Learning Center’ which goes around to different villages and schools in rural areas to teach people how to manage their garbage and how to understand the best way to care for the environment, as well as how to eat well and care for their own personal hygiene. In an effort to educate people on these important topics, IAA has published a series of 15 books for adults and children, which provide comprehensive information about the aforementioned topics, as well as on narcotics, HIV and reproductive health.
In addition, IAA offers women’s empowerment programs which promote awareness and education regarding reproductive health, STD’s and breast cancer. They currently give funds to Prima Medika for the program: ‘Mammogram for All Bali’.
IAA works together with Dr. Innesusanti from Yayasan Sehati who is supported by ‘Rotary Japan Women’s Health Mobile Clinic’ with the goal of helping women become empowered to make their own health a priority in their lives.
“We also do general healthcare for women. We encourage men to come too, so that they can be checked for general health conditions like rheumatism, skin problems, respiratory track infections, etc. Our goal is to reach all people in need,” says Viebeke.
In addition, IAA provides income generating programs for women which are nurtured through really understanding the needs of people. The goal is to help women understand that they can get out of their poverty if they learn how to manage their income well. IAA offers micro-financing to encourage communities to build co-operatives and create successful sustainable income through animal husbandry businesses focusing on cows or pigs, or handicraft businesses.
“Two years ago we gave a group of people money to set up their businesses and they have already given it back to their cooperative because their businesses have become totally sustainable,” says Viebeke.
I’m An Angel has assisted 86 villages throughout Bali, educating children, empowering villagers to create sustainable income and providing free healthcare for those in need.
In 2003, KU DE TA decided to give their support to IAA and staged the first ‘I’m An Angel’ fundraiser raising just over USD $20,000. Along with providing the venue and accommodation for entertainers, KU DE TA also gathered together many local merchants and private donors to participate in this charitable cause. Mr. Yawahar Punjabi, Mr. Mike Mohan and Claude Challe generously provided the entertainment for the evening celebration.
Things got even better at the second annual KU DE TA fundraiser, which surpassed all expectations with over USD $30,000 raised. With a substantial increase of aid provided for 2005, the funds from IAA would be available for on-going support for disadvantaged people not only in the Karangasem region, but throughout all of Bali.
Perhaps it is Asana Viebeke Lengkong’s philosophy which is prominently stated on the website that makes ‘I’m An Angel’ a truly effective organization for helping disadvantaged people throughout Bali and beyond.
“We do not give, we share, and with this strategy, we empower the community to think and help themselves.”
To find out more about Yayasan ‘I’m An Angel’ please visit: www.imanangel.org. To make a donation, please contact Jocelyn Cunningham at: info@kudeta.net or by calling +62 (0)361 736969.
