Yayasan Prakarsa Swadaya Masyarakat (YPSM) is a community based
development NGO in East Java, established by former students in
1988 and has focused on working children in the plantation sector
since 1989 and it is the first NGO in Indonesia dealing with working
children in the plantation sector. As for the organization capacity
building itself, 6 people of the YPSM staff joined the DME training
on the implementation of action programmes. Furthermore 3 professionals
of YPSM joined the Training of Tutors (TOT) in non formal education
conducted by BPKB in Malang.
YPSM starting together with IPEC since 1992 until 1995. The objective
of the first biennium collaboration to establish an education and
training center for working children engaged in the plantation sector
(1992-1993). For the second biennium collaboration the objective
was empowering working children engaged in the plantation sector
through the provision of education and training. During the collaboration
6 centers were established in 6 villages in Jember (East Java).
In total 228 children under 15 years old participated in the action
programme. They were provided with non formal education and pre-vocational
training programme which are sewing and bamboo handicraft. Parents
and communities were made aware on child rights and child labour
problems through a series of meetings, leaflets and bulletins. Local
government agencies were also involved.
During the collaboration YPSM was considered successful in awareness
raising which had a clear impact. More than targeted number of children
joined the non formal education and pre-vocational training program
and many attended well, although they seemed to be more interested
in skill training and basic education than in the discussion on
legal rights or problem analysis. Also the parents were very enthusiastic
about the plan to provide alternative skill training to their children,
but they were not eager to discuss the need for basic education
and other children rights. They can see the advantage for children
to have skills earn them money. Other major positives that resulted
from YPSM awareness activities were achieved.
