For most of us December is a busy month filled with family, gifts, lights and worship. But for those of us on Susila Dharma Board, December brings an extra special gift. This is the month we receive yearly reports from the projects your donations support.
It’s inspiring to read these reports and witness the effects these projects have on the communities they serve. Besides the usual financial information documenting how the funds were spent, projects also share photos and stories of how their work made a difference in the lives of those who have been helped by this funding.
Our holiday gift to you is to share a few of these stories.
From YUM (Yayasan Usaha Mulia) Stunting Prevention Program:
I am a housewife whose daily activities consist of taking care of the family and selling clothes online. I have 3 children and am now pregnant with my 4th child.
I was told about the Stunting program in August (at that time I was 4 months pregnant) by the kader (volunteer health worker) in my village. I immediately signed up for the program. When I listened to the information that the kader conveyed, I was happy and interested because I believe this program is very good and very helpful for pregnant women. Moreover, every month there is assistance with nutritional packages such as milk, fruits, eggs, green beans and others. Most importantly, I received knowledge about stunting, which I only found out after participating in the program from YUM.
In the past, when I was pregnant with my previous children, I rarely went to the health facilities to check my baby’s condition but now I know how important it is to do a routine check every month. Also, after knowing how important our hemoglobin level is during pregnancy, now I regularly take iron deficiency tablets because I had difficulty giving birth before. I want to make sure that nothing will happen to my baby.
I hope that this program will continue because it is very helpful, especially for people who cannot afford nutritious food.
I have been a kader (volunteer health worker) for a long time but this is the first time I have been directly involved with such an activity. Usually when there is a special training or activity, the kader who participate are selected in advance, but with YUM, anyone who is interested and willing can be involved.
The activities of YUM are also different from those carried out by private and public agencies that collaborate with kader because usually after the materials are provided, it stops there. However, with YUM, based on all the activities I have participated in, there has always been continued support – if there is something that is not understood, we can easily ask the YUM staff.
During this stunting activity, I was very happy because I could share my knowledge and experience with other people. I have also gotten to know many people so now I have many friends.
Apart from being a kader, I am also a participant in the Stunting program. I am very happy with the nutrition packages I receive every month. It’s very helpful because I feel that my nutritional needs during pregnancy are fulfilled. I feel that I can do many activities during my pregnancy and this is evident from my monthly examinations: my condition and the baby’s are always healthy. On October 4, 2021, I gave birth to a normal healthy boy with a weight of 2.8 kg and a length of 51 cm.
I do hope this Stunting program continues and is offered not only in Bukit Batu but also in other areas because this program is very helpful especially for those who don’t know anything about stunting.
From YTS (Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta):
‘Never Give Up’ is the motto of the women from KUB (community-based business group) Kartini. They are always very enthusiastic and committed to their program activities.
Just like this year, even with a lot of challenges – the pandemic, the unexpected long rainy season – the women worked hard and were hopeful to try practicing the new farming method of polyculture they just learned in March.
They failed three times: snails and ants attacked their eggplants, chillies, and long beans. They were disappointed but they did not give up trying the fourth time and succeeded!
Catfish from our own home
Suripto and Sahiber are two members of KUB (community-based business group) Banama Mulya Jaya and they produce fingerlings and fish feed from their home.
The biggest cost for fish famers is the fish feed, and a few years ago YTS started an intensive fishery program in this area to help them tackle this issue. After a series of trainings, practicing, and direct assistance from a local fishery expert, now some members can do fish breeding without assistance from YTS or an expert.
Fish breeding is very challenging, it requires a lot of technical skills and preparations, and for Suripto and Sahiber to be able to do it this year is a big win for this community. They now can buy fingerlings near their home, and they can produce fish feed in their backyard.
The members of KUB Gawi Hatantiring are not only growing vegetables, managing their fish pond, and also the animals in their garden but also actively involved with the village program. They also sell their fish product at the recreation area nearby. They sold fish crackers, fish cake, and cassava chips. They also cater food for government events in Bukit Batu subdistrict where the fish products become one of specialty foods served.
From Human Force camp at Atalanta Cooperative:
We held a 3 day, 2 night mini-event for people of all ages in October 2021 (the longer summer camp program was postponed due to travel restrictions). Our group for this project was truly inter-generational, with our youngest participant only 9 months old, and our oldest nearly 82!
It was an inspiring experience to see all generations working together, with teens helping with childcare and engaging the young ones, and older participants working side by side with children. Several of the elder participants commented on the special feeling of connection and family they felt during the experience, and how beautiful it was to see everyone coming together and learning from one another.
Comments from those lucky enough to attend;
“Inspiring experience to see all generations working together!”
“A place where the opportunity to explore your talents can be done!”
“It was a wonderful gathering, with people of all ages coming together to work on the land”
“The feeling of working together, though on several different activities, was very harmonious and community building”
“It was awesome, even though I got tired more quickly than I had hoped or expected. Well, nearly 82 years old is nearly 82, I guess.”
There’s still time left to support our Fall Fundraiser
Contribute and lower your taxable income:
For those over 70 who must withdraw funds from their IRA, please consider QCD, Qualified Charitable Distributions. A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. Read about QCDs here.
Planned Giving:
Read about planned giving to the Susila Dharma USA Endowment Fund here.
