The Annika Linden Foundation has been the major funder for the YAKKUM project since 2004. The YAKKUM Prosthetic Workshop and Clinic is dedicated to helping Bali's physically challenged by making orthopedic braces and prostheses. Their policy is to hire the physically challenged to work in their workshops and offices in order to empower this neglected minority group. ALF helped YAKKUM to build a new prosthetic and orthoepedic workshop in Bali so that the physically challenged of Bali no longer need to travel all the way to Java to be fitted for or to repair their prostheses. In 2005 ALF funding enabled YAKKUM to offer a mobile clinic operating in the most remote areas of Bali.

In addition to outfitting young, physically challenged Balinese with prostheses, YAKKUM has an ongoing training program set out to improve the current skills of staff and train new personnel in the manufacturing of mobility aids. This project offers physical/economic independence and personal empowerment through education, training and provision of this desperately needed facility.  In a joint effort with BEDO (Bali Economic Development Organization) and the BHA (Bali Hotels Association) a program begun in 2008 has placed a number of YAKKUM clients into garment and hotel industry jobs.

From July – December 2011, YAKKUM Bali went through a fantastic period of change. It began with

research conducted by YKIP’s Sri Damayanti and her SWOT analysis that showed where YAKKUM’s strengths and weaknesses lie. This was coupled with the trainings and support of Dasra’ Social Impact’s Joseph de Wolk, who has been helping all the ALF partners with their strategic plans during this period. A new Wheelchair Program was instigated with United Cerebral Wheelchairs for Humanity that has a factory in Jogjakarta (see below). Their routine activities continued, with the total number of clients assisted to date of 1,133 persons.

YAKKUM BALI always has foreign volunteers assisting in capacity Building.  Gerry Brown, an AVI Volunteer worked from July- December on the database and trained Agustin, a new staff member in database management. Jenny van Ordop worked with YAKKUM for three Years (2008 – 2011) on Soft and Hard Skill training for their clients; she went back to Holland mid-year after transferring her knowledge to the YAKKUM staff.

Director Latra participated in the BEAT (Barrier free Environment and Accessable Transport in Malaysia; other staff also participated in national workshops, one of which was conducted to lobby the Indonesian government to ratify an amendment on disability (it was passed in August).

YAKKUM is expanding its’ distribution of prosthetics to the island of Sumba and hopes that they will be able to assist the 70 people that have asked for prosthetics in the not too distant future.

WHEELCHAIR PROJECT

By Danielle Sturevski (Yakkum Bali)

The World Health Organisation estimates that 1 out of every 300 people, or 20 million people in the developing world require a well-fitted, supportive, functional wheelchair [WHO Wheelchair Provision Guidelines, 2008].

Given that the population in Bali is approximately 4 million, it can therefore be estimated that just over 13,000 people within the island of Bali alone require appropriate wheelchairs – a service that is not yet provided by anyone!

Being a local NGO committed to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities throughout Bali and striving towards an inclusive society in which people with disabilities are treated equally and provided with the same opportunities as others, YAKKUM Bali acknowledges the importance of addressing this complex situation.

In response to this, YAKKUM Bali has recently partnered with United Cerebral Palsy Wheels For Humanity (UCP WFH) and will implement the first wheelchair services and provisions program throughout Bali.

Building local capacity so that local staff are qualified to assess for and provide appropriate wheelchairs has therefore become a priority and particular focus at this point in time. UCP WFH is currently facilitating their Intermediate Wheelchair and Services Provisions Training Course with a group of 12 Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Prosthetics & Orthopedics (P&O) Technicians from a variety of organizations throughout Bali.

After successfully completing the 3 month training course scheduled to conclude December 2011, therapists will be qualified to provide appropriate wheelchairs (supplied through UCP WFH) that meet the users individual needs and environmental conditions of use; provide proper fit and postural support; are safe and durable and can be obtained, maintained, repaired and services sustained in country at an affordable cost.

This is an inspiring project that has the potential to positively impact not only individuals but families, communities and societies. Being one of the most commonly used assistive devices for enhancing personal mobility, which is a precondition for enjoying human rights and living in dignity, the wheelchair assists people with disabilities to become more independent and productive members of their communities –it is a huge step towards inclusion, participation and the breakdown of negative stereotypes and stigma associated with disability.

Danni Sturevski is an Occupational Therapist volunteer from Australia who has been working with YAKKUM Bali over the past 15 months to initiate this project. She now assumes the role of Wheelchair Program Manager under the sponsorship of the ALF. Following the training she will coordinate the first pilot distribution of wheelchairs, evaluate effectiveness and develop systems to ensure the programs sustainability and growth so that in the future YAKKUM Bali can fulfill its dream of expanding their current P&O workshop to include local manufacturing of appropriate wheelchairs in Bali. YAKKUM Bali aspires to provide wheelchair services island-wide to all 13,000 people with disabilities who need them.

They then hope to expand services outside the island to other regions and become a leading NGO in the disability movement throughout Indonesia – especially since the government’s recent ratification of The Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities.

Photo Albums

Yakkum Prosthetic Limb Workshop