Indonesian staff uplift underprivileged kids during Muharram

Indonesia, 17 December 2011 – The month of Muharram is viewed as a good month for caring for the underprivileged and is especially synonymous with caring for orphans. Therefore, to end the year on the right note, a number of QI staff ‘birthday babies’ from Jakarta visited a home for underprivileged children. The visit was the latest CSR activity in Indonesia reaching out to the children in the home, namely, Yayasan Pengembangan Masyarakat Sejahtera (YPMS). The home, located in Tambun, is east of Jakarta.  There are 60 children from as early as the kindergarten age to the high school age living in this home. Some are orphans, some have been neglected and some have been given away by parents who cannot or will not care for them. It is mostly abandonment and neglect that have forced these children to seek refuge in this home. We brought breadfruit (sukun) and mango trees with the aim of improving the surroundings as well as for food sustainability. It is known that breadfruit is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Once it bears fruit, it can produce up to 200 fruits in one year.  Breadfruit is also good for bones and teeth. We also gave piper betel (sirihshoot) to be planted as phytopharmaca. Its leaves are good as an antibiotic and antioxidant while it relieves toothache, stops bleeding and cures skin diseases. We are sure that these plants will be beneficial to the residents of YPMS. We are part of YPMS! Apart from learning how the home operates and about the facilities provided for the children, we had the opportunity to spend time with the children themselves. We shared with them the importance of greenery for the environment and human health, taught them how to maintain cleanliness and gave them a basic understanding of hygiene. Therefore, other than food, clothing, books, sporting articles and toys we also gave them toiletries and cleaning agents. On the one hand, it was obvious that the children were taught to be grateful and polite to all the sponsors and benefactors for providing them with gifts, yet they could not hide their excitement when opening the wrapped presents donated by the staff.  It was truly a joyous occasion with smiles and laughter all around. We hope our visit brought cheer and uplifted the children feeling abandoned and let down as well as those who feel worthless, forgotten and have not known the unconditional love of a parent. We also hope that they will find hope, love, joy and peace in the home for the New Year and that they will treasure happy moments such as these for a lifetime. Together we can make a difference.