On a warm morning in Semarang, Paulus Mujiran begins his day by walking through neighborhoods where Yayasan Kesejahteraan Keluarga Soegijapranata (YKKS) has worked for decades. Some of the families he greets have known the organization since the late 1970s, when YKKS volunteers went door to door delivering school supplies, helping build simple toilets, or repairing leaking roofs.
“Back then,” Paulus recalls, “the needs were very immediate. People were just trying to get by.”
In those early years, poverty, malnutrition, and school dropout rates were widespread. YKKS responded as best it could, addressing urgent needs with limited resources. A turning point came in 1977, when YKKS began a partnership with ChildFund International in Indonesia. What started as support soon grew into a long-term collaboration that transformed the way YKKS worked with communities.
As ChildFund International in Indonesia shifted its approach from charitable assistance toward community empowerment, YKKS evolved alongside it. The focus moved beyond short-term relief toward strengthening systems and building long-term resilience. Parents were trained in positive parenting, schools were supported to create safer learning environments, communities were guided in disaster preparedness, and young people were given space to develop skills and find their voices.
“We weren’t just fixing problems anymore,” Paulus explains. “We were learning how to help communities stand on their own.”
This transformation did not happen overnight. It was shaped by years of mentoring, training, and continuous capacity building. YKKS staff strengthened their skills in program management, data reporting, budgeting, and compliance, while leadership worked to improve governance and decision-making processes.
“The learning never truly stops,” Paulus says. “ChildFund International in Indonesia opened doors that we didn’t even know existed.”
What has consistently set this partnership apart is its long-term commitment. In a sector often driven by short project cycles, ChildFund International in Indonesia chose to stay—accompanying YKKS through different social, economic, and institutional changes. Programs were designed to follow the life cycle of a child, allowing both the community and the organization to grow at a sustainable pace.
Today, YKKS has entered a new chapter. The organization has begun securing funding from additional donors, reflecting increased confidence in its capacity and credibility. While this progress is encouraging, Paulus recognizes that the journey toward full independence is ongoing. YKKS continues to sharpen its focus on child protection, environmental resilience, and youth development, while strengthening its distinct role within a crowded development landscape.
“Build your capacity early. Understand what makes your organization different. And never rely on a single donor,” Paulus reflects. “Sustainability comes from standing on your own feet.”
For Paulus, the story of YKKS and ChildFund International in Indonesia is not about sudden breakthroughs or dramatic moments. It is a story of steady growth, shared learning, and a partnership that chose to stay long enough to create lasting change. That impact can be seen quietly—in children who feel safer, parents who feel more confident, and young people who begin to see real opportunities ahead.
As Paulus continues his morning walks through communities YKKS has served for generations, he sees something new taking root. Not only healthier children or stronger families, but the confidence of a local organization learning to chart its own future.
