Michael Pate’s Journey: A Life Dedicated to Volunteering Around the World

 

Michael Pate’s journey of service and compassion spans decades and continents. In 2003, after his children had grown, Michael left his home in San Diego, where he had worked for many years as a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and earned a Master’s in Public Health. Driven by a desire to help those most in need, he began volunteering with Doctors Without Borders in Angola, Africa. This experience ignited a lifelong commitment to global humanitarian work, taking him to some of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions of the world, rarely returning to the United States. Michael is also a veteran of the United States Army and  Afghanistan and Vietnam war experience. 

In 2006, Michael arrived in Bali, Indonesia, where fate would change his life. While volunteering on a sailboat providing medical aid, he met Ni Pande Putu Etiartini. Putu had dedicated herself to helping the street children of Denpasar, and together they began seeking out and supporting the most disadvantaged children. With little money and no formal plans, Michael and Putu followed these children through the streets, day and night, providing help wherever they could. Slowly, they gained the children’s trust and learned about their lives, struggles, and dreams.

The children’s primary wish was simple: to go to school. Michael and Putu started Saturday afternoon classes on the beach. Many children attended weekly, learning to read, while Michael and Putu also provided access to medical care, surgeries, clothing, and food. One night, several nine-year-old children asked if they could stay at Michael and Putu’s private home, which is now Denpasar Children’s Home. They agreed, giving the children a safer place to sleep—on basic mattresses, but far better than sleeping on the streets. Over time, more children came to stay, and Michael and Putu found ways to provide them with a home, food, beds, medical care, schooling, and emotional support.

What began as a simple effort to help children access education and safe shelter grew into a fully licensed nonprofit organization: Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA), officially licensed in 2007 and known as the Bali Street Kids Project. Today, YKPA provides a safe home for 45 children and continues to grow. Over the years, since 2009, nearly 500 children have been supported, including not only former street children but also disabled children, orphans, abandoned children, girls seeking education, women and their children in need of protection, and children traveling from far away for medical care. The organization also runs extracurricular activities, self-esteem programs, and classes taught by local teachers and international volunteers.

Michael and Putu’s work extends beyond their homes. They manage transportation to school and activities with cars and motorbikes, provide medical care and surgeries, and constantly maintain their buildings. They also run an informal school for street children in Kuta called the Bambu School, provide food to street children, and have started training programs for mothers to earn income through making dolls known as Bali Dolls. Michael and Putu regularly travel to remote villages, delivering food, clothing, and necessities, and helping children in critical situations.

Michael and Putu are also involved in emergency response. When a volcano in Bali threatened thousands of people, including children, Putu repeatedly drove into danger zones to evacuate children at the request of their parents. Currently, they temporarily host 70 children, in addition to the children who reside at YKPA, ensuring continued education and care during crises. Michael also has experience from a similar situation in Yogyakarta in 2006, when a major volcanic earthquake caused significant loss of life, contributing to the organization’s emergency preparedness.

Throughout their journey, Michael and Putu rely on small donations from visitors to Bali, local expats, and supporters worldwide. YKPA also generates income through the sale of local handmade crafts to help pay staff salaries. Despite the scale of their work, neither Michael nor Putu take a salary, living simply on-site from donor contributions to be fully present for the children.

Their partnership strengthens the organization, as they manage daily operations, fundraising, and community engagement. Michael provides IT support, medical assistance, and building maintenance, while Putu fulfills multiple roles: founder, manager, fundraiser, caregiver, designer, contractor, and the creative force behind YKPA’s programs.

Putu’s dedication also extends internationally. She has represented YKPA at fundraisers and events in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Australia, performed Balinese dance, and worked as an international aid worker in Nepal following the 2015 earthquake. She has climbed the highest volcanoes in Bali and Lombok several times to raise funds and awareness for YKPA, while continuing to oversee operations even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, Michael returned to San Diego for urology surgery, with Putu assisting in his recovery. During this time, Michael petitioned for her Adjustment of Status, supporting her ambition to pursue a CNA degree to work and learn to serve the elderly. They continue to expand YKPA’s impact, supporting children and women in Bali, providing education, medical care, shelter, and a brighter future for those most in need.

Michael Pate’s life is a testament to the power of compassion, resilience, and global citizenship. From the streets of Denpasar to remote villages across Indonesia, his story shows what can be achieved when dedication meets love, partnership, and an unwavering commitment to helping those in need. Today, Michael has returned to full-time work in his medical profession and, together with Putu, is building a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States called Join With Us International

 

Jumi brave girl from Sumba

 

From the Streets kid to a Brighter Future: The Journey of Made

 The Story of Made 

 Made Anna was a child I met on the street when she was only about four years old. At that time, she was with her mother and several of her siblings. Her family was quite large—she was not the first of ten children. Her mother brought four of the children around Kuta, Legian, and nearby beaches to help make a living.

On impulse, I asked if they were hungry. Shyly, Made and Reni replied, “yes.” I bought food for the four children and their mother. I also explained to their mother that her children could attend YKPA, where they could learn to read and write. Made and Reni, who were quiet and rarely smiled, simply looked at me and occasionally answered my questions.

A few days later, as usual, YKPA staff picked up street children in Kuta to take them to school. There, I met Made and Reni again, along with other street children. They were very eager to learn. Among all the children, Reni and Made were particularly smart, even though they were quiet and spoke little. Sometimes, they would just watch and answer occasionally, but as they began to trust, they shared a little about their lives.

One of the teachers heard their story: their four siblings had no father because he had passed away, and their mother had to work hard on the streets to support the family. Hearing this, I immediately approached their mother and asked for permission for the children to live at YKPA, to receive an education and a better life. Their mother, overwhelmed by raising many children alone, agreed.

In short, Made Anna, Reni, and their friends—Meta and Wayan—began living at YKPA. Made grew up there from the age of four, receiving education and support from generous donors, including Kim Roger from the United States, who, through his business Bali Cargo Company, sponsored Made’s schooling into adulthood. This support meant the world to Made, who grew up with hope in  heart.

However, the journey of YKPA was not always smooth—it came with many challenges. In 2015, internal issues and the negative influence of some older children created difficulties. Teenagers, as often happens, brought drama and even caused problems that reached the local news. To ensure safety, I decided to move the younger children to my private home in Tabanan, protecting them from harmful influences and keeping them secure. My concerns proved to be valid: some of the older children attempted to persuade Made and her friends, who were still in elementary school, to leave YKPA, even sending troubling messages to their mother, who was still struggling to survive life on the streets.

I came to realize that these teenagers were simply angry and ungrateful, despite all the help they had received. They seemed to forget where they had come from before arriving at YKPA—when life was uncertain and harsh in village without school. At YKPA, they always had a safe place to stay, food on the table every day, school and opportunities to enjoy recreational trips to places like Waterbom Bali, Bali Safari Park, and many other wonderful places—experiences that most families could never afford. All of these privileges were made possible only through the generosity of donors and supporters.

I have always prayed that one day they would recognize the kindness they had received, understand karma, and experience what it feels like to be a parent of rebellious children as they had been.

Back to Made, He Growing up as strong, educated, and grateful children, Made Anna’s life at YKPA continued day by day. She attended school with other children, learned, played, and adapted to her new environment. When we moved the children to Tabanan, there were four children still under five years old. I clearly remember the crisis among the staff at that time; a foreign volunteer helped me, and I personally bathed the children every day.

Over time, YKPA Tabanan was established. Ibu Desak and three children were also brought from Ubud because of their dire situation. A suitable house rented by donor Mr. Ian became their new home, and eventually, YKPA Tabanan Children’s Home was formed.

Made grew up to be a diligent and kind student. Reni, her younger sibling, was quiet and often seemed not to hear when spoken to. Michael, YKPA co-founder, nurse practitioner, and public health expert, noticed their ears and suggested they see an ENT doctor. It turned out that both children had hearing problems—ear infections and eardrum damage. After ENT treatment, their condition improved. When they could hear again, the change was remarkable; they began to speak, share stories, and express themselves like other children. It was as if a new world had opened for them, making their lives more colorful.

At YKPA Tabanan, Made and her friends created many precious memories. Besides studying, they learned skills, played, and gardened during the COVID-19 period. When she reached high school, Made moved to YKPA Central in Denpasar to join other children. At the YKPA Central office, we named it YKPA Denpasar Children’s Home.

Three years passed, and Made Anna graduated from high school. With help from David, a YKPA volunteer, Made found her first job. We at YKPA also provided Made and several other children with a second-hand motorcycle for commuting to work.

We are immensely grateful to all YKPA staff and volunteers, especially Kim and Bali Cargo Company, who, in addition to helping sell Bali Dolls, sponsored Made’s education. Made successfully graduated from high school, found her first job at a hotel, and continued her hospitality studies at UT Denpasar University. We hope to find sponsors to support her tuition every six months, amounting to $200, with the hope that he dream will become a hotel manager after graduating.

Made Anna is now living proof that love, support, and the right 

opportunities can transform a child’s life. From a quiet, shy street child, she grew into a confident, educated young woman, ready to face the world.