Family planning agency shows the will and the way<\/p>\n
By Arif Suryobuwono<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The saying \"where there's a will there's a way\"
\nhas been paraphrased by the Indonesian Planned Parenthood
\nAssociation (PKBI) into \"where others have no will, we do. We
\nhave the will and the way.\"<\/p>\n
PKBI was the first non-governmental organization to pioneer
\nfamily planning programs here as far back as 37 years ago when
\nmany people were still opposed to family planning.<\/p>\n
Even in 1964, seven years after PKBI was established, the late
\nPresident Sukarno, in an interview with Newsweek magazine, said,
\n\"...in my country, the more (children) the better.\"<\/p>\n
PKBI thrived, initially against all odds given the prevalent
\ngovernment and public attitudes. Even now, as the government has
\ntaken the initiative in the family planning drive since 1969, the
\norganization remains active, exploring new fields where others
\nare reluctant to tread.<\/p>\n
It now boasts 22 provincial branches and 155 sub-branches in
\nregencies and municipalities, served by some 45,000 volunteers.<\/p>\n
Sri Lestari Yuwono, the association's executive director,
\nsaid PKBI is focusing its efforts on eastern Indonesia where most
\nother non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are reluctant to
\ncover.<\/p>\n
\"This shows that where others have no will, we do. And we have
\nboth the will and the way,\" Sri said.<\/p>\n
Sri said in western Indonesian -- Java, Bali and Sumatra --
\nthere are now too many NGOs trying to introduce their own family
\nplanning programs, even in regions where PKBI has gained a
\nfoothold. Rather than competing for the same cause, PKBI is
\nbowing out and taking its action to the eastern regions.<\/p>\n
As the leading player in family planning affairs, Sri feels
\nPKBI has certain advantages that its \"competitors\" lack.<\/p>\n
She said it is instilling a sense of belonging to those who
\njoin PKBI's cause by letting them know that the facilities
\nprovided will be theirs after the PKBI leaves them to run their
\nown programs. \"By developing their sense of belonging, we hope
\nthey will say to other NGOs that they do not need their help
\nbecause they already have their own.\"<\/p>\n
Volunteers<\/p>\n
The organization's idea of planned parenthood goes way beyond
\nsimply restricting the number of children through dispensing
\nfamily planning devices. It is far more encompassing and includes
\nthe health and other welfare aspects of building a family.<\/p>\n
PKBI restricts itself to helping poor, rural slum areas where
\nchildren are neglected and deprived of proper education, or where
\nthe population is undernourished or known to suffer from poor
\nhealth.<\/p>\n
PKBI is also active in areas with high childbirth or infant
\nmortality rates, Sri said, adding however that the organization
\nrelies largely on the help of volunteers.<\/p>\n
One of PKBI's current activities is the mothers and pre-school
\nchildren development program, called Bina Anaprasa.<\/p>\n
Initiated in 1985, it approaches parents through their
\nchildren and motivates them to take part in family planning
\nprograms, according to PKBI's chairman Kartono Mohamad.<\/p>\n
With the program, pre-school children are educated free of
\ncharge in PKBI's kindergartens where children are trained to
\ndevelop motor skills, a positive attitude, personality and
\nintellect.<\/p>\n
The children are taught reading, drawing, singing and dancing
\nby teachers, mostly high school drop-outs who are given
\nspecialized training.<\/p>\n
The mothers are encouraged to observe the classes, and as
\ntheir interest and involvement in their children's activities
\ngrows, it becomes easier for PKBI to introduce the need for
\nparticipating in family planning programs, Sri said.<\/p>\n
Last year, 12,170 children and 12,064 mothers took part.<\/p>\n
PKBI also runs programs for mothers, including parenting,
\nchild care, health care, family planning and responsible
\nparenthood. They are also taught embroidery, baking and other
\nvocational skills for women, Sri added.<\/p>\n
\"In rural areas, we also involve the fathers in the program.
\nThey are required to plant one banana tree. The fruit is sold and
\nthe money used to buy extra food for the children,\" Kartono said.<\/p>\n
In return for free education for their children, the men often
\nhelp repair and improve the kindergartens' buildings, Sri said.<\/p>\n
PKBI is also running a program designed specifically to
\nmotivate poor, passive and submissive women to make decisions for
\nthemselves, Sri said.<\/p>\n
With the program, it is hoped that women will not just follow
\nthe commands of her parents or husbands to strike out for the
\ncities to work as maids, or worse, as prostitutes, because by
\nbecoming more independent through training in certain skills,
\nthey can make money on their own, Sri said. They will also then
\nhave the courage to refuse, she added.<\/p>\n
This program, carried out for the first time in 1976, is
\nfinanced by Saskatchewan Institute for Appropriate Technology
\n(SIAST) of Canada, Sri said. Other PKBI programs are financed 50
\npercent by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, to
\nwhich it is affiliated, she added.<\/p>\n
Self financed<\/p>\n
The rest are self financed through the income from PKBI's 15
\nintegrated family planning clinics throughout Indonesia, from
\nthe rents of a guest house in Jakarta and from various health
\ntraining packages it offers.<\/p>\n
PKBI also offers to help come to terms with their sexual and
\nother psychological problems, Kartono said, adding that PKBI runs
\nyouth clinics in Jakarta, Medan, Yogyakarta and Bandung, charging
\nclients Rp 500 to Rp 3,500.<\/p>\n
The youth clinics also offer counseling by telephone, Kartono
\nsaid, adding that last year PKBI succeeded in setting up 266
\nyouth groups through the clinics which helped around 43,000
\nyouths.<\/p>\n
Sri said that in today's materialistic world, there are still
\npeople with idealism.<\/p>\n
\"Kartono Mohamad, who is chairman of the Association of
\nIndonesian Doctors, for instance. If he had not had idealism, he
\nwould not have worked in our clinics without pay. In Surabaya, we
\nhave doctor Prabowo who every week donates to PKBI the fees he
\nearns,\" Sri said.<\/p>\n
Sri added, \"Ask the telephone counselors why they are willing
\nto work without pay. I am sure they will answer, 'Why should we
\nask our clients to pay? They are already overburden with sorrow.
\nShould we add to their burden by asking them to pay?'\"<\/p>",
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