A Heartfelt Tribute: A Sister's Heart - Kyra Parker's Journey with YKPA

Kyra Parker has been an invaluable part of YKPA from the very beginning, serving as both our first volunteer and donor. She is like a sister to me.

Our journey began at the beach, where we met through mutual friends who were lifeguards. Kyra greeted me with a warm smile, and from that moment, our friendship blossomed. When I shared with her our mission to help street children through our non-profit organization, she immediately embraced the cause with her kind heart and positive spirit.

Kyra's dedication has been unwavering. She participated in every activity to support the street children, even joining surveys in the remote village of Pedahan, Karangasem, where many of these children come from. She generously sent clothes and gifts from Australia and contributed funds to YKPA, sponsoring our efforts every month.

Although Kyra now resides in Australia and her involvement isn't as frequent as it was when she lived in Bali, her impact on YKPA's history remains significant. She played a crucial role in building YKPA, and her support continues to be felt. Kyra is not just a friend; she is like a sister to me. Despite the distance and less frequent communication, she will always hold a special place in my heart.

My First Mentor: The Foundation of YKPA's Journey

The Beginning of YKPA's Journey

Yantin, a very kind woman, she from Natherland longtime in Bali, played a crucial role in helping me start the Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA) foundation. Her support and dedication were instrumental in turning our vision into reality.

 

YKPA Foundation Establishment 24 October 2007

Initial Establishment: YKPA was initially established in 2006. The application to make YKPA an official legal entity was submitted, and the approval letter from the Social Department of Denpasar Province was issued on October 24, 2007, after more than six months of processing. The first step was to seek a notary to create the notarial deed.

Steps to Establish a Foundation in Indonesia:

1. Determine the Foundation's Purpose: Ensure the foundation's purpose is clear, whether it is for social, educational, religious, or humanitarian activities.

2. Prepare Documents:

   • Copies of ID cards (KTP) and Tax Identification Numbers (NPWP) of the founders. The founders  are Putu Etiartini ( board ) , Pak Made Kondra (supervisor of YKPA), Agus Darmawan (chairman of the foundation), Ibu Yanti (treasurer), and her husband Pak Wayan Sunada (secretary of the foundation).
   • The foundation's deed of establishment signed before a notary.
   • A domicile certificate for the foundation (virtual offices are not allowed). Initially, our starting capital was funded by Michael Pate, a co-founder. However, as a foreigner, he could not be listed as a member in the foundation's deed. He provided the initial capital of 10 million IDR, notary fees of around 7 million IDR, house rent for the foundation of 15 million IDR, and other expenses for foundation activities. all donors the first time is Michael Pate is spent his own money to start ykpa.org

3. Approval from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights: This process took about four months to receive the approval letter from Jakarta.

4. Publication in the State Gazette Supplement: After obtaining approval, the foundation must be published in the State Gazette Supplement of the Republic of Indonesia.

5. Meet Financial Requirements: The foundation must have initial assets of at least 10 million IDR.

6. Organizational Structure: The foundation must have supervisors, management, and auditors to help achieve the foundation's goals. Once all documents, structure, and logo are complete, we submitted the approval to the city social department. After receiving the letter, we applied again to the provincial level in Bali. Once approved, we officially became a non-profit organization named YKPA (Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak), which means "Love and Caring for Children" in Bali, Indonesia. Our address is Jln Gunung Payung No. 23, Br Umadui, Denpasar Barat, Padang Sambian Kliod, Bali, Indonesia.

Early Activities: Initially, YKPA started by helping street children. Over time, we expanded our efforts to assist underprivileged communities in health-related areas, such as HIV, cleft lip surgeries, cataract surgeries for the elderly, and helping disabled children in collaboration with other foundations. By 2009, due to the increasing number of children we were accommodating, we applied for a license for a children's home. In Indonesia, we had to choose the name "orphanage" even though not all the children were orphans, as there were no other options under government regulations.

As time has passed, there have been four changes in the foundation's members. Unfortunately, none of these transitions went as smoothly as we had hoped. Disagreements and conflicts arose among members who did not agree with each other, with some even demanding money from the foundation to resign or be dismissed. Fortunately, this foundation is legally established, so the notary provided solutions and policies in accordance with the regulations, ensuring that the foundation could not be extorted.

For further details about the YKPA process, I will share more in the next story. Up until now, in 2025, 18 years have passed, and the struggles of YKPA need to be documented as part of its history. The process from its inception needs to be told, as it was not as easy as people might think.

Being the founder and co-founder felt like embarking on a mission to help those in need. We have continued to stay strong, taking good care of YKPA and persistently working to support and help the foundation.

Bali province officials conducting a survey at YKPA before granting official approval.

Visit from the Denpasar Municipal Department for a Survey Before YKPA Permit is Issued

Pika's Journey: From Despair to Hope

 

Pika, an 11-year-old girl from Bali, Indonesia, has faced unimaginable challenges. Born with multiple birth defects and subjected to neglect and abuse, her early life was filled with suffering. Her father used her for begging in the tourist areas of Kuta Bali, and she lived in poor conditions with her family in Denpasar.

In January 2010, the Bali Street Kids Project (YKPA) Founder Putu Etiartini and Co-founder Michael Pate rescued Pika and brought her to a hospital for medical care. She was finally placed in the YKPA Children's Home in Denpasar (ykpa.org), where her father was threatened with jail if he took her away again. Despite initial isolation by her father, Pika began receiving the medical attention she desperately needed.

Pika's medical issues included anemia, underweight, stunted growth, birth defects (right club foot, left foot tendon weakness, large spina bifida mass), loss of bladder function, and a severe foot infection. Over the next five months, YKPA Founder Putu Etiartini and volunteers took her to multiple medical specialty clinics for comprehensive care.

Socially, Pika struggled with poor personal hygiene, isolation, illiteracy, and a lack of enthusiasm to interact with other children. However, with the support of YKPA, she began to smile, talk, and learn new skills, such as handicrafts.

Pika underwent seven surgeries to address her medical problems. As she grew up, she got married and now has a baby boy. Despite her medical condition and having only one leg, she remains determined to build a better future. Her husband's irregular employment adds to their economic challenges.

Putu Etiartini trying continues to support Pika by helping her start own business for achieve financial independence. This initiative aims to provide Pika with a sustainable way to support herself and her family.

Pika's story is one of resilience, hope, and the tireless efforts of those who care about her. You can follow her journey and find more details https://pikastory.blogspot.com/.

 Let's come together to support her and make a positive impact in her life.

💛 Join Pika’s journey. Follow her story and be part of her team. Together, we can make a difference.

https://youtube.com/shorts/p2UMGYt4Vz4