MRs. Gesine
It is almost 9 years ago that we, Putu and myself, started an afternoon class for English. We wanted to offer smart children from difficult economic backgrounds a chance to learn with us. At that time we didn’t even dream to have our own building, garden, sports ground and an officially registered Foundation; but we grew so quickly and got so enthusiastic that within 3 years we managed all of this.
We started with only 10 students but nowadays 160 join our program. We can look back on hundreds of young under privileged people who benefited from YCM’s teachings and philosophy. Our goal is to build up self confidence, diligence, respect for everyone, trust, responsibility, religious tolerance, creativity and enthusiasm. Most importantly, we encourage the young people to use their brains! Besides English and computer classes, they learn life skills and also broaden their general knowledge.
Meeting regularly with our Alumni proves to us that our very individual, unique concept is successful. The time a student stays with us as a student varies from a few months to many years. It very much depends on the personal situation. Since we know about the family backgrounds we try to help as much as we can. Nowadays 6 boys are living at YCM and we pay for their daily needs and education. They were not ‘street kids’ but were learning with us already when tragic family problems happened.
I am proud that our lunch program works so well also. Students take turns to cook for around 35 people every day. They are responsible for the shopping, cooking, fair sharing and the cleaning up. With a small budget they cook healthy food: rice, vegetables and tofu.
We all can be very proud that YCM is probably one of the cleanest public buildings in West Java. :-) The students are responsible! But believe me it is hard work too and needs a lot of effort to keep this standard and teach it to the newcomers again and again.
As a vocational program we offer sewing lessons and Ibu Lilis, who is responsible for this program, is a wonderful person and a ‘soul’ of our place. Luckily we have two large sewing classrooms now with different sewing and embroidery machines for almost 30 students.
I want to thank Project Leader Ibu Putu and all the tutors and volunteers from Germany (Volunteer Development Service /Weltwaerts, Germany) and Australia (AYAD, VIDA) for their enthusiastic and dedicated work!
Last but not least I need to mention that YCM is privately sponsored and that we are happy about any donation! Some euros or dollars monthly, a donation in celebration of a birthday party…- any sponsoring is welcome and is guaranteed that each single cent serves the project needs. In Germany we are registered as “Verein der Freunde der YCM e.V” and can provide a receipt for tax deduction (charitable donation certificates - Spendenbescheinigung).
By Gesine Nitzschke, Founder (Pembina) of YCM
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MRs. Putu
I’m simply the one who isn’t good in expressing my feeling into a story or written text. But hopefully you can also experience my life….yayasan’s life by reading my words. Gesine and I, founded this yayasan (foundation) couple years ago. We are both different, but we love our work. We started our work with the underprivileged youth in 2002, about 12 teens joined us. In a very small rented house, and we never expected that we will have better place and equipments like now. Our capacity now is about 150 people, range from 10 up to 23 years old youth. Some of them are the drop outers (most reason caused by economical problem of their families).
We call our place a house of dreams. I want all of our students to have dreams. To reach their dreams…my dreams…our dreams. I love to boost the energy of everyone, no matter how difficult our live are. I’m happy to feel the energy….the positive atmosphere we created together, makes me always miss this place. To see smile on peoples’ face (especially through YCM) makes me feel a great feeling of happiness. To see and feel the improvement of each person….makes me feel a great satisfaction….you have to experience the yayasan by yourself, then you will know it.
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Ibu. Lilis
My name is lilis, I'm 52 years old and all the people in yayasan call me ibu lilis.
I joined with yayasan in 2004, it has been around 6 years I teach the sewing class from monday to friday, from morning until afternoon. I'm happy to be here because there are many students who can't continue their school, but they are still really eager to learn and some of them are eager to learn about sewing.
And I want to say a big thank you to all donators who have given their donations to yayasan. Thanks
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HAVNI
My name is Havni Syafadinah. I was born on November 28, 1983. I am a computer teacher in Cipta Mandiri Foundation. First, I teach here in 2007. But it was just for a few months. I replaced my old sister (Hilwi) because she was pregnant. And then I came back again to teach in YCM in March 2008 until now because Hilwi didn’t come anymore. She had to take care of her son. So I teach until now.
In YCM, I can meet a lot of different characters. I teach basic office computer skills like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access (if necessary), how to type as fast as possible, and browsing the internet (making email, search something). Sometimes I teach basic math (like add fractions, subtractions, multiplication, division etc) about three times a week.
Besides that, I can repeat a lesson about computer like excel, access, etc. That’s why I can remember about that lesson. Every 2 weeks I can more learn about computers like macromedia dream weaver and macromedia fireworks with Kohar (Computer Tutor for our Web Community).
I am happy to work here.
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Bella
I joined YCM on june 2008. I remember my first time here, I was 21 years old that time and I was so nervous knowing that I have to teach students that have the same age or even older than me. But I realized this place is really special . This place makes better people, better lives and better me because the learning process is mutual between tutors and students. After 2 years working here I’ve noticed how amazing the students and the tutors are and to be part of their lives and futures is a great pleasure.
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Atik
My name is Atikah, I'm 29 years old. I have joined with yayasan for more than 5 years. I'm an asistant of ibu lilis, the sewing tutor.
Before I joined with yayasan I can't sew, but now I can sew and also I can help ibu lilis to teach the students.
I want to say thank you to All donators, who have helped yayasan with their donation so we can learn very well. Thanks
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Apry
YCM is for all!
YCM is the best place from the best of places.
I was a student here about three years ago. Now I’m one of the tutors at YCM. The story starts twenty four years ago when God sent me into this world, the world which has a lot of dreams to reach.
When I graduated from vocational high school in 2005, I had nothing to do. Then my friend asked me to join in YCM, to learn English and other skills. It was nothing special in the first month, but the next months after I realized that I can improve my knowledge, skills and talents.
My talent and dream is to be an entertainer. That’s why I always want to be the organizer of events in YCM. For me, YCM is the bridge to reach my dreams. I’ve been teaching here for two years already. So far everything is so good and I really enjoy teaching and giving knowledge and life skills.
Thanks to Putu and Gesine for this opportunity.
Nur
I'm Siti Nurjanah (Nur), is so happy and proud to have a place in YCM.
YCM, Yayasan Cipta Mandiri, is a place where I can get many things. . best friends, knowledge, happiness and challenges. I could get all things here when I decided to join YCM about 8 years ago, when I was in first grade of junior high school, with some lovely tutors, some students in a small rented house.
I was a student of YCM for about 4 or 5 years. then YCM gave me an opportunity to help other students in learning English.
Now, I'm one of the tutors of YCM and I'm so glad for it. YCM also has opened the bridge for me to take further steps for my future. Now I can continue my education to the university by scholarship I got through YCM and I can also help my family to have a better life.
Thanks a lot Ibu Gesine
Thanks a lot Mrs putu
Thanks a lot for volunteers, tutors and students
Love you all ^_^
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Ono
YCM is one of the best places in the world that I found. YCM is a second home for me where I can have a big big family.
I experienced many things here and I grow up here as a real man. I just graduated from elementary, but for me to be smart it can be anywhere and lucky me I join with YCM since 5 years ago and I learn a lot here about Life Skills where especially using english as the daily language.
No more that I can say about YCM because YCM is a wonderful place and I haven't more words to explain about what is YCM. I just want to say big thank you for everything that I got from YCM. and thank you so much for the people who taught many things here.
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Kohar
My name is kohar, I'm 24 years old. I've been in yayasan for more than 4 years. Before I was one of the student of yayasan also. In yayasan I learned a lot about life beside English or computer.
And one day I got a recomendation from Mrs. Putu, to learn more about computer, especially about web design and also web programming. now I'm an assistant for computer tutor and also incharge of yayasan's website. I'm responsible to web community to teach some members who really eager to learn and I'm happy to do it.
These words are not enough for me to say thanks to all donators who has given their donation to help this project run well. And also to all volunteers, who has spent their time to teach and did great job in yayasan. Thanks
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