ever wondered what it's like to come to Indonesia to a foreign volunteer program or contribute your time for a good cause as a small local in Jakarta?
International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is a charitable organization for non-profit children with ever more projects in Indonesia, Thailand and Kenya. Founded in 1985 by Carol Sasaki in the United States, more than 1,000 children now attending to organizational learning centers in six locations. In Indonesia, they have centers in Jakarta, Bali, Medan and Aceh. It is the mission of the IHF to invest in children by offering them a basic human right: education. In doing so, they empower them with the skills and tools they need to overcome poverty and pursue rich and fulfilling, becoming leaders and pioneers of tomorrow.
"targets children" IHF are those of the poorest of the poor families living in crowded slums. By providing extra classes after school, they supplement the insufficient public education and also provide motivation for children to stay in school. Under the Education Programme (ETP), they also offer financial support to keep children have to leave school.
IHF for the past 25 years has evolved into an organization whose activities are directed almost entirely by volunteer staff. Over the years, volunteers have stayed during periods of between one month and one year and many have given their time with the "home volunteer." Most of the volunteers, in addition to teaching responsibilities, help with specific operating functions within the organization as program management, teacher training and programs, volunteer recruitment, academic relations, collecting funds, advocacy and finance. This policy is maintained year after year to keep its mission statement: "To educate through experiences of real life, not only our poor children, but also, equally, educating many citizens of the world the reality of poor communities and cultures and to teach global leadership skills in multiple layers realities of running an NGO - (NGO) -. in such environments "
for Ayano Ogura, a longtime volunteer at the IHF ( since 2008) Japan / America, its decision to work with the IHF was driven by his respect and admiration for the CEO / founder of the organization, Carol, with whom she frequently interacts with headquarters in San Diego. "I instantly inspired by passion, personality, and love to Carol for her children IHF," she said. Ayano IHF has also chosen because of their belief in the power of the base and ability to influence change at this level. for many it is the ability of IHF to keep costs so low volunteer attracting potential volunteers overseas while other large organizations charge thousands of dollars for a one week stay.
for Julie (England) and Thibault Michot (France), co-directors in Bali and Jakarta, it was the state of education in the country, coupled with the various responsibilities to the IHF that attracted them to a small grass Roots organization and not great. IHF development agencies is also a great avenue for people who take a short career break, trying to make a career transition into teaching from another industry or enhance their current experience. Kate Bool (England) saw IHF opportunity as a way to accelerate his chances of working in a management framework in the education sector and Leap Frog his career to the next level. Tess Legge (From Australia), co-director of the Jakarta Centre is able to effectively use its experience in Indonesian studies at Melbourne University to manage the day-day operations of the Centre as well as improve efficiency program by conducting community outreach efforts to identify the most deserving students to register on the PET program.
The learning curve is extremely steep for most volunteers - be it pushes out of their comfort zone culturally and personally develop their intercultural skills; professionally by pushing themselves to teach first generation learners, experience is extremely rewarding. Most volunteers leave the Centre not only personally rewarded but with a new family, a more open mind, a loving heart and inspiration to be a torchbearer change advocating equal access to education better for deserving children in Indonesia.
If you want to get involved with IHF in Jakarta or through the skills you have to offer or through a financial contribution, you can view them www.ihfonline.org; email media.open@ihfonline.org and set up the time to visit their center in East Jakarta.