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?'"