YKIP (Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi) is a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of the needy in Bali through health and education Projects. Established only days after the Bali bomb blast of October 12, 2002, YKIP’s founders were business people, doctors, officials and volunteers who assisted during the crisis. It soon became evident that in order to accommodate the tons of medical supplies and monetary donations from well-wishers around the world, a transparent and responsible organization needed to be established. YKIP has received endorsements from the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, the diplomatic community in Bali, and the Governor of Bali. Its members come from a variety of faiths and from many different nationalities.

All of YKIP’s projects in 2002 and 2003 were related to the direct victims of the blast. However, most of their needs are now provided for. Based on the success of the initial projects (Children’s Education Fund, Medical Resource and Education Centre and the Wayang Kulit Trauma Counselling), YKIP has now turned its focus to health and education issues.

The mission of YKIP is to improve the lives of everyone who lives in Bali as a tribute to those who were killed, injured or lost their livelihood as a consequence of the terrorist attack of October 12th, 2002. WILTA supports the work of YKIP and since 2002 have donated around $6500 to education projects managed by this foundation. The most recent donation in July 2004 went specifically towards supporting the Kembali Project. The Kembali Project stands for Kids Education Management in Bali. Kembali is the Indonesian word for “return” and here it refers to a “return to school” for those elementary and junior high school students who might not be able to continue their studies without financial assistance. The initial part of this project is in Gianyar regency, a regency not usually singled out for poverty alleviation projects due to its popularity as a tourist destination. But Gianyar Sejahtera, a foundation under the Indonesian government’s Education Department, has found 1,169 children who are in need of educational scholarships. It only costs about AUD $160 per year to put a child through school (which includes all books, uniforms, stationery and snack money).

WILTA encourages teachers to develop integrated projects within their schools to support the Kembali Project. Developing school based projects to support such initiatives will give students of Indonesian language and culture opportunities outside the language classroom to develop relationships with their peers in Indonesian schools and to use their Indonesian language purposefully in really getting to know each other, whilst at the same time allowing both the Indonesian and Australian students opportunities to understand and reflect on the concepts and values of each others cultures. For more information go to www.ykip.org or for specific information on the Kembali Project see www.ykip.org/kembali.asp If you would like to discuss the YKIP projects with WILTA please feel free to make contact with a committee member.

(Latest YKIP Newsletter)