Yayasan Usaha Mulia / Foundation for Noble Work
Health & Medical
Education & Learning
Environment & Sustainability
Yayasan Usaha Mulia (YUM) has been working in Indonesia since 1975 to improve the quality of life for the country’s poor and destitute. For over 30 years, YUM has implemented and managed health, education and community development projects. It's name translates to English as 'Foundation for Noble Work'.
YUM is a registered charity in Indonesia and is a member of Susila Dharma International, which has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
YUM manages education, health, and community development projects in cooperation with local government bodies, local partner organizations and leaders when developing a project and identifying potential beneficiaries. This ensures its projects meet the communities’ needs in the most appropriate way.
YUM is focused on delivering quality projects in a manner that is inclusive of local communities and sustainable for the long term. To achieve this, YUM relies on the generous support of organizations and individuals from around the world.
EDUCATION PROJECTS
Education levels in Indonesia are amongst the worst in Asia with close to 80% of the country’s population having only a primary school education. Projects presently run by YUM in this field are:
• Scholarships/Sponsorships – West Java & Central Kalimantan
YUM operates a sponsorship program that provides children with the financial and welfare support needed to complete their education and reach their potential. Children of all ages are sponsored, and now YUM also provides university scholarships through its Talent Development Scholarship program.
• Children’s Libraries – West Java, Aceh, Central Kalimantan
The children’s library project aims to acquaint children of all ages with the joys and benefits of reading. Story-telling and other activities make education a pleasure, inspiring young and old to learn, learn, learn!
• Schools support – Central Kalimantan
Starting with detailed surveys to identify equipment and facilities’ needs at government schools, YUM then seeks to fulfill those needs, providing items such as desks, chairs, sports equipment, teaching aids, books, supplies, and bookbags.
• Vocational Training Center – Cipanas, West Java
A program designed to provide disadvantaged women and youths with skills to qualify them for employment in several industries, such as sewing, tourism, and handicraft production.
HEALTH PROJECTS
A lack of health resources and the prohibitive cost of accessing those resources puts quality health care out of reach for the majority of Indonesians. This is particularly true in rural areas where a lack of health knowledge also contributes to a wide range of health issues among the population. Health projects presently run by YUM are:
• Malaria Control – Central Kalimantan
Malaria is rife in Central Kalimantan with close to 2 in 3 people in the region regularly infected. By educating local people on the infection, implementing preventative measures, and by providing treatment facilities, YUM aims to negate the effect of malaria on people in the region.
• Clean Water – Central Kalimantan
The clean water project provides communities with the resources and facilities needed to access clean water. Through the installation of water tanks, pumps and pipes, YUM is ensuring remote communities in Central Kalimantan have a constant supply of clean running water. Access to clean water for drinking and washing is imperative in reducing the spread of diseases.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Strong communities are the foundation upon which strong and prosperous nations are built. Research shows that for development to be successful and sustainable, it must have the support of the communities that it seeks to serve. The following programs are presently run by YUM:
• Children’s Village – Cipanas, West Java
Established in 1976, the Children’s Village provides a safe, secure and caring environment in which orphans and children from destitute families can live and go to school. The focus is on providing the children with a range of skills and values that will prepare them for life after the village.
• Aceh Community Centre – Banda Aceh
The Aceh Community Centre aims to assist members of the local community rebuild their lives after the 2004 tsunami by providing a range of health, education and family welfare services.
• Center for Child and Family Welfare – Banda Aceh
Operation started in 2009 to strengthen and support activities oriented at community development – especially for women and children.
• Micro-credit for women – Central Kalimantan
Through small loans provided to local women and through economic management training, the project aims to help these women increase their revenue and improve their economic situation.
• Sustainable agriculture and livelihood for smallholders, Central Kalimantan
The paramount objective of this new project is the sustainable improvement of the living conditions and the food security of the families living in the YUM working area. YUM will provide technical assistance to families in order to: (1) be self-sufficient in the production of good nutritious vegetables and protein for family consumption; (2) explore medium scale production of crops, fruits and animal husbandry; (3) provide start-up materials and equipment for family-scale organic production as well as training and follow-up assistance.