The work of the Yayasan Bhakti Luhur Foundation (YBL) began in 1959, when a young Father Janssen took kids off the street during his missionary work in Indonesia. He roved the archipelago with eight kids in tow and asked for shelter and food assistance as he went along his journey. Eventually the number of kids grew, along with their needs. Something permanent and sustainable was necessary.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

Step by step, this roving entourage evolved into a state of the art, sustainable and effective rehabilitation center. Therapists conduct clinical research and psychological tests and kids with varying degrees of handicap are housed and educated. Children are grouped not according to their physical disabilities but the same mental capacity. Thus the different students integrate, assist each other and became independent in their own right.

 

Left: Sisters learn how to use Braille training boards. They are also affectionately referred to within the Foundation as Alma, or “mother”, in Latin.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

YBL is the largest private foundation for rehabilitation of disabled children in Indonesia, and it has managed to assist the rehabilitation and integration of over 3000 disabled children.

 

Left: A child learns to use a Braille Stencil.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

Father Janssen with a book he designed for hearing impaired students at YBL.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

The Alma at YBL have unconditionally devoted their lives to service and are integral to the success of YBL’s efforts. They have renounced all family connections and will spend the rest of their giving love and care to the children and disabled at one of YBL’s centers.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

In a country rattled with political, social and environmental unrest, the compounds of the Yayasan Bhakti Luhur Foundation carry a startling aura of composure, regimen, and productivity for those often forgotten.

 

Left: A blind student assists a wheelchair-bound student while being guided by the eyes of the latter.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

No uniform and no tiles, children find an area to learn in a makeshift shed donated by a farmer in east Java. Apart from its main facilities in the cities, YBL continues to work to educate underprivileged children in several remote villages, as part of its exsitu programs.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

A young girl awaits attention from her teacher in a makeshift classroom.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

There are endless stories to tell of each and every child, teenager and adult at YBL, but there is one story that is consistent for all of them. It is the story they share at YBL.

 

Despite their challenges, students at YBL are not fazed and remain confident about their future.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

Ningsih’s employer was a jealous woman - she suspected that her husband was fond of Ningsih and shot her one day. The woman did rush her to hospital, only to take her home later and torture her further till she eventually became paralysed.

 

Ningsih lost her ability to speak and to see. Her employer was acquitted of any crime after pleading not guilty and the entire incident was an accident. Being poor, Ningsih’s family was unable to press charges. She now resides and receives comfort from her caregivers at YBL.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

Malang is Indonesia’s fourth largest city and is located just two hours from Surabaya. The Yayasan Bhakti Luhur Foundation (YBL) set up their facility there in 1975, one of 75 located across nine islands throughout the nation. They may appear simple, yet within each facility are devoted hearts and minds, and spirits dedicated to service.

 

Left: Blind teaching the blind.

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng

 

 

In the dormitories, some students are fortunate to hold on tight to memories of their families, who without the knowledge to care for and the capacity to afford assistance, were left with no choice but to leave their child in the care of YBL’s Alma. Other students who were abandoned, can only dream about belonging to a family. To find out how you can support the work of the Bhakti Luhur Foundation, visit www.bhaktiluhur.com

 

 

Text and photos by Debby Ng