In Bali, many children from certain remote villages are forced to beg in Denpasar and other cities throughout the island. Their parents or guardians are quite poor and many choose to work very little or not at all. These children are usually forced to earn income for their families by working all night begging or giving massages, whether they are sick or not. The children work primarily in the tourist areas in bars and discotheques – they live in squalor and typically can not attend school, are illiterate, malnourished and often abused by their bosses and police. When they become teens, girls frequently turn to prostitution, and boys become bosses to younger siblings. HIV is predominant in areas where there are sex workers, making these children a high risk group. They live a life of great suffering that is passed down from generation to generation. Many people are unaware of the harsh existence of these children who have never known any other way of life.
Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA) is doing their best to make a difference in these children’s lives. Established in 2007, YKPA was first conceived by Putu and Michael who shared the same vision which was to help street children have a better life. The orphanage which began two years later occurred spontaneously after Putu invited a sick girl living on the street to come and shelter at her home. The girl said she would only come if her three friends could join her; Putu agreed and after that more children came. Today there are 20 street kids and some disabled children living at Putu’s home.
Both children living at the orphanage as well as kids on the streets are getting the education they previously never had. Children who stay at the orphanage go to classes three times a week at a special school where they can learn at their own pace. Some expat community members also assist with various life-enrichment and learning activities for the kids. A few children who are still begging in the streets at night are helped to get daily showers, meals and transportation to school in the afternoon. Alternatively, for those children who are not allowed to go to school, YKPA offers reading and math classes on a tarp at the beach or in city slums. Through outreach programs like these, the children have learned to trust the staff at YKPA. Thus, YKPA has been able to identify children most in need and provide them with assistance.
“It’s true that the children on the streets are managed by an adult boss who takes most of the money, giving only a small percentage to the parent’s of the child,” says Michael Pate, co-founder of YKPA.
“This trafficking and abuse is generational. As the child beggars become adults, they then become the bosses of the younger street kids. Alternatively, some of these kids end up getting married at the age of 14 or 15 and have lots of children who also become street kids. I feel the key to ending this cycle of oppression is through providing both teens and parents much needed skills training, English classes and basic schooling, so there won’t be a need for children to be sent to work on the streets.”
For the past three years, YKPA has been improving the lives of children begging on the streets of Bali by providing ‘in-the-street’ learning and formal schooling opportunities for these children who are hungry to learn. Many more children would like to live at the orphanage but can’t without their parent’s permission. Slowly Putu and Michael are gaining the trust of their parents and guardians, through creating craft projects like making dolls and gift cards which are sold with the profits going to the children’s families. As the parent’s/guardians become aware of other ways to make income for their livelihood, there’s hope that they will eventually shift their consciousness and realize that their children deserve a life free from begging on the streets.
Underlying YKPA’s work is HIV and abuse prevention; the hope of stopping young girls from becoming prostitutes, and teens becoming bosses of their younger siblings. One of their goals is to improve the economic status of older teens who ‘boss’ younger children to beg. YKPA has a dream that all street kids can learn how to read, write and do math as well as learn a skill, but their limited funding prevents them from expanding simple projects. YKPA is also caring for deaf, blind and other children with serious medical problems. One seriously disabled child named Pika required leg amputation and repeated spinal surgery as well as a brain shunt placement. Her high medical bills have drained YKPA’s meager operating account.
YKPA needs help to continue and grow. They are currently renovating the orphanage in order to provide more space for children to sleep, better bathroom facilities and a classroom. The government has recently implemented a new law requiring all orphanages to be on owned land, so they are planning to buy the land and expand their skills training program. Funds for these children’s basic needs are uncertain, and there are still many children who need help. The total cost of supporting one child with living, recreation and school expenses is $100 USD/month. If you would like to make a donation or volunteer, please contact: Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak, www.ykpa.org or call: 081227411112 or (0361)803-7322.
