Pondok Kasih Foundation

Health is the prosperity of physical, mental, and social well-being and isn’t always about sickness or disease (Hanna, 2021). Health is a core part of day to day human activity. Without good health, we humans can’t finish our daily activities, be they simple or complex. 

While we should take care of our own health and we are responsible for it, the Government also has its part to play in managing its society’s health. By law, health is a right that must be protected by the Government (Mikho, 2020). 

But in reality, not every part of the world is protected by their Government. Indonesia for example, because it’s a vast archipelagic state and the 14th-largest country by land area at almost 2 million square kilometers, means that the governmental health agencies are not able to reach every part of the country.

To increase health prosperity in Indonesia, Dr. Hana Amalia Vandayani Ananda, D.Min, who is known as “Mama Hana”, foundedYayasan Pondok Kasih (Pondok Kasih Foundation or YPK for short) in 1991. Since its creation, YPK has provided hope and assistance to the poor and marginalized Indonesian people widely.

It all started when Mama Hanalent a helping hand to a beggar that usually sits in front of her church. A humble beginning which was followed by the provision of homes for the elderly, nursing homes for neglected elderly women, and children’s homes for abandoned babies.

When a national crisis struck Indonesia in 1996, YPK quickly provided essential services and equipment to those who needed formal education for children, access to health supplies and social empowerment.

In 1999, many international organizations started to recognize YPK’s devotion to the community, and 40 foot containers started to arrive containing goods, aid, and many other items through organizations such as Indonesia Relief Fund and World Blessing. At the time, many crises, conflicts and natural disasters hit Indonesia, so these aid packages were most welcome. They were distributed throughout the archipelago regardless of ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status.

In 2003, YPK started to get more recognition from local and central government, the business community, media and academia. Mama Hana and YPK received many awards, including the Satya LancanaAward for Social Service from the Indonesian President in 2004, the Satya Lancana Award for Aceh Tsunami Catastrophe Response in 2005, and the Dharma Karya Kencana Award Through BKBN in 2006.

More recently, YPK received the Global Business and Interfaith Peace Award (2015),Kick Andy Life Achievement Award (2016), CNN Heroes Award (2017),Kartini Award and Mental Revolutionary Hero from the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs.

The poor not only need clothing, food, shelter, but in order to break the cycle of poverty, they need an identity card and health insurance. Without those items they cannot be protected by civil rights as citizens of the Republic of Indonesia. With those rights, anyone can enjoy the facilities provided by the government such as education, health services, safety, security, jobs, housing etc.

To fulfill its vision and mission, YPK has engaged with various influential spheres of society, including families, religions, government, the economy and business sector, scholars, media, and culture, all working together on a mission of social justice for all.

The Pondok Kasih Foundation can be contacted through their website, https://www.pondokkasih.org/. The website features recent news, historical information, program details, and a donation portal. The foundation operates from two offices throughout the city.

In addition to providing social healthcare services, the foundation offers an affordable education system for pre-kindergarten to kindergarten schools at their Medokan Keputih office.

Our interviewee is Dr. Jimmy Wongui. The Health Director at YPK. He graduated from Airlangga University. He has worked in YPK since 2010.

Interview

Interviewees :
Dr. Jimmy Wongui – Director of Health at the Pondok Kasih Foundation

Q: Please introduce yourself

I’m Dr. Jimmy Wongui, Director of Health at Pondok Kasih Foundation.

Q: How long have you worked for Pondok Kasih?

If I’m not mistaken, I’ve been working here since 2010, April to be exact.

Q: What are the day to day tasks for the Director of Health?

We have both a post and a clinic, and it’s important to note the distinction between the two. The clinic must possess a legal license, whereas here at the Medokan Office, we are registered as a post due to having a license for private practice only. Additionally, we operate a Health Clinic located at Jl. Gayungan PTT no 8, which is facilitated through BPJS (National Healthcare). Dr. Hernadi manages the Health Clinic, but I hold the overall responsibility for it. Furthermore, adjacent to the clinic, we also run an orphanage.

Q: How big was the impact that YPK had on society

The impact that YPK has had on society is quite significant. This impact is reflected in the shift in societal paradigms and behaviors. For instance, individuals who were previously careless about issues like littering, health, and general chaos began to undergo positive changes in their thinking and actions after our regular visits. We used to visit places in poor conditions, often near rivers or under bridges, where people would thoughtlessly dispose of their trash into the river without considering the consequences. However, our interventions led to positive changes in their behavior. They started disposing of their garbage in proper bins, showing greater concern for the environment and their own health.

Previously, many families would share a single toothbrush among three members. We provided them with health education, essential items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, and nutrition education. We taught them how to manage basic ingredients to meet their daily needs, especially since they lacked a stable income. We emphasized that even with just Rp10,000 ($1) a day, they could maintain a balanced and nutritious diet primarily consisting of fruits and vegetables, as they rarely consumed chicken or beef. Prioritizing a well-rounded nutrition balance became essential. We also supplied them with vitamins and provided milk on a weekly basis. Occasionally, we distributed food packages to families in need, ensuring that each family received support.

Q: Are there a lot of people who come to the post to check their health?

Yes, there used to be a lot of people who came to the post for regular health check-ups, often on a daily basis. However, our efforts have been complemented by improved healthcare facilities provided by the government. The presence of Puskesmas (Government Health Clinics) and local hospitals has been a significant help to our cause. If we experience a decrease in the number of visitors at our post because more people are visiting Puskesmas, it doesn’t make us feel like we’ve failed. On the contrary, it indicates that government policies and healthcare services are improving, which is their primary responsibility. We operate as a secondary service provider and work in cooperation with the government, particularly with the Social Service Agency, which provides us with some resources. Additionally, we offer ambulance services and provide free hospital referrals when needed. This commitment to free services has always been our priority.

Q: How many ambulances does YPK have at its disposal?

We have two here, but we have access to more. I can’t keep count across Surabaya, and our ambulances are also sent to various places around the rest of the country. 

Q: How was YPK able to grow to reach almost all communities in Indonesia in a relatively short time?

It’s all God’s Plan. YPK isn’t great, we have no money, it is all God’s Plan. I’m not paid with a salary. This is all an offering of Love.

Q: What has been the most difficult thing you have had to deal with at YPK?

Funding, of course.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about being involved in YPK?

I have been working at YPK since 2010, which is approximately 13 years. I take great pride in my work because the kind of healthcare service we provide is not readily available elsewhere. Many new doctors prefer to treat elite patients and prioritize financial gain, which is not entirely unjustified given the high cost of their education. However, I find tremendous satisfaction in serving underprivileged communities in challenging environments such as slums, under bridges, or near polluted rivers. I acknowledge that not everyone is willing to do this kind of work, but I personally find it fulfilling. I attribute the recoveries and improvements in the health of the people I serve to a higher power and find it delightful to witness their appreciation. For me, providing proper and effective medicine to cure their ailments is more important than expensive and painful treatments.

Reflections

Collaborating with Landero, Dj P. and Deo Prince, researchers from San Pedro College, Philippines who are researching the Institute of Primary Health Care (IPHC), we found some things comparable in their roles in their respective communities. 

From our research, we have found that both of our institutions didn’t just focus on one sector, but they aim to serve the community broadly in the name of humanity. As stated in their research,IPHC, the community extension arm of the Davao Medical School Foundation, has a distinct mandate: to go into communities and carry out community development programs. Their operations are interestingly far-ranging, with both Indonesia and the Philippines being archipelagic states. While YPK started in 1991, IPHC has been operating since 1978, which is quite astonishing for a non-governmental organization in this part of the world.

YPK and IPHC were both established to tackle healthcare issues, but now have expanded and become multi-issue NGOs. IPHC covers a number of broad issues, for example issues of agrarian reform and community-based forest management are some issues YPK isn’t equipped to handle in Indonesia. IPHC boasts a well-equipped department, particularly when compared to YPK. This is because IPHC serves as the community extension arm of the Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF), a prestigious medical school in Davao, Philippines. With the backing of DMSF, they have more robust support compared to YPK, which relies more on donations. However, it’s important to note that YPK has established collaborations with the government, both in terms of funding and equipment, to enhance their services.

Josephine B. Alindajao, also known as “Jobas,” has devoted 35 years to her role as the executive director of IPHC. Similarly, Dr. Jimmy Wongui, the Director of Health at Pondok Kasih Foundation, has dedicated 13 years to his service. Their unwavering commitment to humanity is truly remarkable, as not everyone is willing to undertake the challenging work they do, as Dr. Jimmy Wongui mentioned in his interview.

In terms of staff and manpower, IPHC has an advantage. They have prepared their medical students for public health missions, providing them with valuable practical experience. In contrast, YPK relies more on volunteers, and there is no formal immersion or clinical rotation program like the one at IPHC. As quoted from Ms. Josephine: “The critical role of IPHC is to prepare the community to become active, where medical students can demand health services if they are present. They can reach out to the medical students where we are in the community. If the students have become doctors, they are equipped with what to do in public service.” IPHC’s training approach involves exposing future doctors to real-life scenarios.

In Indonesia, doctors, pharmacists, and nurses hold top-tier professional status. They receive higher salaries than many other workers, and there is a high demand for their services. Additionally, education costs for these fields are substantial. Given these factors, it’s challenging to expect graduates in these professions to work for the greater good at lower wages or for free.

Despite not being as actively involved with the government as YPK, IPHC has a broader scope of influence and is making significant changes within the community. IPHC benefits from a strong background, whereas YPK relies more on donations and external assistance. This doesn’t imply that YPK is weak; rather, it highlights the fact that the donations and equipment they receive are not sufficient to meet the high demand for improved public health rights that the government has yet to provide. Indonesia requires more organizations like YPK, as well as better government health policies. Achieving such objectives is not easy—it took IPHC 43 years to actively transform the community and YPK 32 years. However, the work is far from complete. The question remains: How many more years will it take to realize the dream of equal health rights worldwide?

References

Roberto, H. F. (2021, October 9). PENTINGNYA MENGETAHUI ARTI KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/ez4ud

Ardinata, M. (2020). Tanggung jawab negara terhadap jaminan kesehatan dalam perspektif hak asasi manusia.Jurnal Ham, 11(2), 319-332.

Researchers

Hello! I’mGabriel Narendra and I am an Informatics Engineering student from University of Surabaya. I have an interest in cyber-network research with the dream to be a lecturer one day. I’m 18 years old, and I want to publish at least 5 publications before 25. I’m currently quadrilingual, but my passion for learning new things won’t stop me there. I’ve grown very fond of music and dance, so you can hear my joyful steps everywhere I go!