In 2004 a tsunami hit Banda Aceh, devastating the area and its residents. The Aceh Community Centre is the contribution YUM is making to help people in the region re-establish their lives. The Centre is primarily targeted at women and children, providing health, education and family welfare services to people from nine villages throughout the region. Those services include; family health and welfare advice; microcredit support; childcare services and creative learning activities for children.
Importantly the Centre also provides a social and community meeting point, where local community members can discuss issues and children can participate in a range of activities. Since its establishment in 2005, the centre has been an astounding success thanks to the support of The Japan National Council of Social Welfare who wholly funds the centre. With the Centre having thousands of beneficiaries since its establishment, YUM is proud of the success of this project and believes it is an excellent example of the work we can do with ongoing financial support.
On the 27th of February 2007, Yayasan Usaha Mulia (YUM)'s CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE (PKKA), which was built with funding provided by the Japan National Council of Social Welfare (JNCSW), was officially inaugurated.
The ceremony on Jl. Tgk Abd Rahman Meunasah Meucap Lampoh Daya, Banda Aceh, was performed by the Vice Mayor of Banda Aceh Municipality, Hj Illiza Sa'duddin Djamal SE accompanied by the Chairperson of TP PKK Banda Aceh Municipality, Ibu Nursanti Adnan Mawardy, the Director of JNCSW, Mr. Chikashi Matsuju; and the Chairperson of YUM, Mrs. Olvia Reksodipoetro, together with up to 304 invitees.
YUM's CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE (PKKA) was constructed in conjunction with the government of Jaya Baru, municipality of Banda Aceh, and with funding assistance from the Japan National Council of Social Welfare (JNCSW) in response and as an effort to strengthen and support activities oriented at community organizations and community development - especially for women and children, which is seen as being beneficial and sustainable in the long term for local communities.
The "Humaira" Arts Studio, located in YUM's Center for Child and Family Welfare (CCFW) in Banda Aceh, welcomes children of all ages to participate in a wide variety of arts activities.
Organized in conjunction with the women's Family Welfare Movement Program ("PKK"), the Arts studio aims at building the spirit of children after the tsunami devastation, encouraging creative expression through dance and music lessons.
Children are encouraged to participate by sharing and exchanging their knowledge of various traditional dances and Acehnese music.
"It's unbelievable that despite what these children have been through with the earthquake and tsunami devastation, their spirits aren't crushed, but beating strong!
I see the care and solidarity forming between the children and I am happy that we got to be a part of it. In the "Humaira" Arts Studio, these children are free to be inspired by dance and music!"
Bapak Gun-Gun (CCFW Project Manager)
Thanks to the Japan National Council of Social Welfare (JNCSW), YUM and the CCFW are able to touch, and help restore the lives of tsunami victims in many diverse ways.
