Phenomenal figures

The orphanage Pa van der Steur. Compared to the chaotic, crowded streets of Jakarta, a peaceful and idyllic place. Separated by a long driveway, you don't hear a thing from the never-ending traffic jams. From time to time you can hear an old gong after which different tasks, chores and leisure time follow up until the end of the day; after chores comes breakfast and singing, after school homework and playing in the gardens.

Newly arrived orphans, toddlers of four years old and up, are welcomed and helped by the caretakers and other children. At first with dressing and washing but soon enough the toddlers are able to do a lot of things on their own and can out help on the grounds with a small broom. Before they reach the age for kindergarten they play with donated toys on the porch. There you can also find tante Nel, the director of the orphanage, taking care of her work only a few meters away.

Sometimes a conflict occurs during play time, for example when a piece of Duplo is taken from one child by another. The victim looks for redress to tante Nel who immediately drops her work and as a mediator sternly addresses the guilty toddler. But this only lasts a moment, right after the toy is handed back the expression on her face softens as she hugs the frightened child even more closely.

For children with a traumatic past this environment is of great importance. Take this five-year-old girl for example, who saved her candy so that she could put it on her parents' grave. And one of the boys was covered in bruises because he was considered to be too difficult to handle in other orphanages and was constantly beaten and sent away. At the yayasan these children get so much more than just the necessary attention and a safe environment. They go to school and make new friends. They choose an education path and fall in love, just like other teens. Later still they get a job and maybe a family. A normal life you’d wish for every person but is far from taken for granted for these two children.

The continuing existence of the yayasan is possible thanks to the contributions of donors. This may be a monetary contribution but can also be something as simple as donating a pair of new slippers. Every little bit helps. Especially for an organisation for which profit is expressed in the opportunity for little children to have a normal life. In that regard there are no businesses with better figures than the yayasan.