Family planning agency shows the will and the way

Family planning agency shows the will and the way

By Arif Suryobuwono

JAKARTA (JP): The saying "where there's a will there's a way"
has been paraphrased by the Indonesian Planned Parenthood
Association (PKBI) into "where others have no will, we do. We
have the will and the way."

PKBI was the first non-governmental organization to pioneer
family planning programs here as far back as 37 years ago when
many people were still opposed to family planning.

Even in 1964, seven years after PKBI was established, the late
President Sukarno, in an interview with Newsweek magazine, said,
"...in my country, the more (children) the better."

PKBI thrived, initially against all odds given the prevalent
government and public attitudes. Even now, as the government has
taken the initiative in the family planning drive since 1969, the
organization remains active, exploring new fields where others
are reluctant to tread.

It now boasts 22 provincial branches and 155 sub-branches in
regencies and municipalities, served by some 45,000 volunteers.

Sri Lestari Yuwono, the association's executive director,
said PKBI is focusing its efforts on eastern Indonesia where most
other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are reluctant to
cover.

"This shows that where others have no will, we do. And we have
both the will and the way," Sri said.

Sri said in western Indonesian -- Java, Bali and Sumatra --
there are now too many NGOs trying to introduce their own family
planning programs, even in regions where PKBI has gained a
foothold. Rather than competing for the same cause, PKBI is
bowing out and taking its action to the eastern regions.

As the leading player in family planning affairs, Sri feels
PKBI has certain advantages that its "competitors" lack.

She said it is instilling a sense of belonging to those who
join PKBI's cause by letting them know that the facilities
provided will be theirs after the PKBI leaves them to run their
own programs. "By developing their sense of belonging, we hope
they will say to other NGOs that they do not need their help
because they already have their own."

Volunteers

The organization's idea of planned parenthood goes way beyond
simply restricting the number of children through dispensing
family planning devices. It is far more encompassing and includes
the health and other welfare aspects of building a family.

PKBI restricts itself to helping poor, rural slum areas where
children are neglected and deprived of proper education, or where
the population is undernourished or known to suffer from poor
health.

PKBI is also active in areas with high childbirth or infant
mortality rates, Sri said, adding however that the organization
relies largely on the help of volunteers.

One of PKBI's current activities is the mothers and pre-school
children development program, called Bina Anaprasa.

Initiated in 1985, it approaches parents through their
children and motivates them to take part in family planning
programs, according to PKBI's chairman Kartono Mohamad.

With the program, pre-school children are educated free of
charge in PKBI's kindergartens where children are trained to
develop motor skills, a positive attitude, personality and
intellect.

The children are taught reading, drawing, singing and dancing
by teachers, mostly high school drop-outs who are given
specialized training.

The mothers are encouraged to observe the classes, and as
their interest and involvement in their children's activities
grows, it becomes easier for PKBI to introduce the need for
participating in family planning programs, Sri said.

Last year, 12,170 children and 12,064 mothers took part.

PKBI also runs programs for mothers, including parenting,
child care, health care, family planning and responsible
parenthood. They are also taught embroidery, baking and other
vocational skills for women, Sri added.

"In rural areas, we also involve the fathers in the program.
They are required to plant one banana tree. The fruit is sold and
the money used to buy extra food for the children," Kartono said.

In return for free education for their children, the men often
help repair and improve the kindergartens' buildings, Sri said.

PKBI is also running a program designed specifically to
motivate poor, passive and submissive women to make decisions for
themselves, Sri said.

With the program, it is hoped that women will not just follow
the commands of her parents or husbands to strike out for the
cities to work as maids, or worse, as prostitutes, because by
becoming more independent through training in certain skills,
they can make money on their own, Sri said. They will also then
have the courage to refuse, she added.

This program, carried out for the first time in 1976, is
financed by Saskatchewan Institute for Appropriate Technology
(SIAST) of Canada, Sri said. Other PKBI programs are financed 50
percent by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, to
which it is affiliated, she added.

Self financed

The rest are self financed through the income from PKBI's 15
integrated family planning clinics throughout Indonesia, from
the rents of a guest house in Jakarta and from various health
training packages it offers.

PKBI also offers to help come to terms with their sexual and
other psychological problems, Kartono said, adding that PKBI runs
youth clinics in Jakarta, Medan, Yogyakarta and Bandung, charging
clients Rp 500 to Rp 3,500.

The youth clinics also offer counseling by telephone, Kartono
said, adding that last year PKBI succeeded in setting up 266
youth groups through the clinics which helped around 43,000
youths.

Sri said that in today's materialistic world, there are still
people with idealism.

"Kartono Mohamad, who is chairman of the Association of
Indonesian Doctors, for instance. If he had not had idealism, he
would not have worked in our clinics without pay. In Surabaya, we
have doctor Prabowo who every week donates to PKBI the fees he
earns," Sri said.

Sri added, "Ask the telephone counselors why they are willing
to work without pay. I am sure they will answer, 'Why should we
ask our clients to pay? They are already overburden with sorrow.
Should we add to their burden by asking them to pay?'"