User:Sahabat Anak

“Based on Ancient Commitment”

Beginning with the first Jambore Anak Jalanan (JAJ, “Street Kids Jamboree”) in 1997, a group of volunteers made up of students, alumni and professionals – who had served on the planning committee for JAJ – recognized that one of the essential needs for this generation of urban children, especially for street children of Jakarta, is education. Education is an indispensable element in breaking the poverty cycle. It creates opportunity for children to elevate their economic status and more importantly helps them form a stronger character.

Based on an ancient commitment, without financial or legal support or other fix facilities, but fueled only by pure hearts and enthusiasm, Sahabat Anak (SA, “Child’s Friend”) was born after a long period of learning and growing. Over the years, members of this organization had learned the intricacies of working together and the dynamics of the ministry. Through field work with the children in the poor neighborhoods, SA has come to understand the challenges of the reality of life on the streets and the complex character of children that grow up in the midst of those challenges. Through these experiences, SA has learned to look for informal curricula that are best suited for the unique needs of these children. As a social service organization, SA has developed viable ways to raise funds and put a system in place to ensure integrity and responsibility in the use and reporting of those funds.

Currently, Sahabat Anak has established regular tutoring programs, called “Bimbel” for street children in seven areas of Jakarta – namely: Prumpung, Grogol, Cijantung, Gambir, Manggarai, Tanah Abang and Mangga Dua.

SA also established one informal school for drop out street teens called Child Centre (PKA) right behind our Secretariat, one Kindergarten for street toddlers at Jelambar (West Jakarta), and one transit house for street children at Pasar Susukan (East Jakarta).