A Heartfelt Journey: February 14, 2025, Celebrating 18 Years of YKPA

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Today, February 14, 2025, marks the 18th anniversary of YKPA's establishment.


Starting with helping street children in Bali, YKPA held school activities on Kuta Beach. Some children then asked to stay at the private home of Mrs. Putu and Michael in Denpasar, Jl. Gunung Payung No. 23, Br. Umadui, Denpasar Kuta, Indonesia. Now, this house has become the office of YKPA, ykpa.org Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (Love and Care for Children) and also No. 21, which has become a home for disadvantaged children or an orphanage.

Why did we choose Valentine's Day as YKPA's anniversary? 

Because when Putu and Michael, along with some volunteers, went down to the streets to survey street children, they often asked, "What is your name? How old are you?" However, many of them were ashamed to say their names, perhaps because they felt their names were not cool. In addition, they didn't know when they were born. Since they had been housed at Mrs. Putu's home, which had officially become Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak, Putu had the initiative to change their names and ask if they liked the new names. With happy smiles, they liked them, and now, some of them are 26 years old and are still proud of their names. Their new names were also made official on their birth certificates. Putu chose February 14, Valentine's Day, as their birthdate. Therefore, their birthdays and YKPA's anniversary are celebrated on February 14, Valentine's Day.

This is the first time in their lives they have celebrated a birthday.

These children were born in the remote village of Pedahan, Karangasem, where the land often experiences drought. If there is no rain, there is no water. In terms of education, they are also very lacking. Economic factors forced them to come to the city to beg or illegally sell bracelets and fruits. When their birthdays were first celebrated, besides happiness, there were also touching tears. This is the first time in their lives they have felt celebrated since birth.

Some children, like Ketut Riski and his friends, started living at Mrs. Putu's home and began attending the nearest elementary school. Although they were too old to sit in the first grade, their enthusiasm for learning was very high, and they always became the best in their class. School on Kuta Beach continued for children who were still on the streets and did not live at the foundation, becoming a shelter or home for children until now.

This is a short story from Mrs. Putu Etiartini about the beginning of the establishment of Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak until now. Please follow the Facebook page, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channel Join With Us International Organization. There will be many videos and interesting stories from 2007 until now, 2025. See you in the next story of YKPA and street children.


https://youtu.be/bqCL4XC7XrM

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