JAKARTA – Microsoft Indonesia works together with Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB) to provide affordable non-formal education for underprivileged children. This program is held through Rumah Belajar (House of Learning) which has improved the quality of education of the underprivileged youth and drop outs in Indonesia.
Corporate Affairs Director Microsoft Indonesia, Chrisma Albandjar explained that Microsoft is dedicated to making real impact for a better tomorrow. As we look at the global economic crisis and its impact on jobs and national competitiveness, we see a glaring ‘opportunity divide’ among young people around the world including Indonesia – a gap between those who have the access, skills, and opportunities to be successful and those who do not.
Through Microsoft YouthSpark program, Microsoft partners with NGO, to empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential. One of the programs is partnership with YCAB Foundation through Rumah Belajar Microsoft, which provide affordable non-formal education for underprivileged children.
“In the Rumah Belajar Microsoft, children will be provided with computer courses, in which the curriculum is based on the Microsoft Office Package syllabus. The objective is to develop their skills so they will be ready to enter the job market and will become more independent,” said Chrisma.
Rumah Belajar is one of the Community Technology Centers (CTCs) of Microsoft Indonesia, a chapter out of the Microsoft Citizenship program in partnership with non-profit organizations. The CTCs have been established in 20 provinces in Indonesia, and provide information and technology (IT) trainings for underprivileged and school dropouts.
“Rumah Belajar Microsoft is a prototype of a private and NGO partnership, which aim is to help the government enhance the quality of Indonesia’s human resources in order to support the continuous development of the country,” added Chrisma.
Microsoft works together with YCAB since 2011, for Rumah Belajar (House of Learning), and other IT initiatives. Since then, YCAB Foundation was involved in several activities by Microsoft, i.e. ICT Audit, Microsoft Accelerating Asia Pacific, etc.
“Microsoft has donated software licenses for SCTCs and IT Training & Education to be used in current 35 Rumah Belajar (House of Learning) of YCAB Foundation. The Rumah Belajar has reached over 7,000 youths from which 60% of the students have graduated from computer training classes. In addition to the software donation, Microsoft also donated grant to establish five Learning Centres (CTCs) in Jakarta, Jambi, Manado, Kendari and Cengkareng ” explained Chrisma.
Concerned with the increasing incidence of drug abuse and street crime among Indonesia’s youth, coupled with the rising rate of junior high and high school dropouts, Veronica Colondam established YCAB Foundation on August 13, 1999.
Founder/CEO of YCAB Foundation Veronica Colondam explained that her foundation has been focusing in the area of youth development. YCAB Foundation believes that every child has an equal right to live his or her life to its fullest, and therefore YCAB Foundation would like to give each child ‘hope and opportunity’ which enables them to be independent.
“At YCAB, we enable youth to be independent through educational provisions, economic assistance and welfare creation for a better and sustainable future. YCAB Foundation believes that inherent in our vision of youth development is the idea of economic independence. We aim to help under privileged youth develop independence by becoming self-providing and self-responsible individuals. That is the road map of a true and responsible freedom,” said Veronica.
“We were very happy to work with Microsoft as one of the software industry leaders in providing computer course for underprivileged youth and school dropouts. This initiative is part of our commitments to continuously developing youth independent through our youth development programs,” added Veronica.
Rumah Belajar provides computer courses on Microsoft Office (i.e. MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, etc) which are divided into three levels, i.e. Pre Basic, Basic and Intermediate. The computer course program is certified by Binus University. YCAB Foundation has been working with Binus University for its program standardization and quality since 2004.
Rumah Belajar does not only provide informal education but also English courses, digital inclusion, and other vocational skill trainings, as w ell as job placements. “Moreover, we also assist our best students to scholarship programs in order to help them obtain higher education in the university, or provide seeds capital for starting small businesses,” said Veronica.
She added that the synergy between YCAB Foundation and Microsoft is expected to enhance the quality of Indonesian human resources, which in turn, will produce a positive impact for the national economy in the long run.
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About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation was founded in 1975 (NASDAQ: “MSFT”) and leader in the software development and Internet services and technology, both for personal and corporate users. Microsoft provides various arrays of products and services, which are designed, to empowering people through reliable software – anytime, anywhere, with any technology devices. Microsoft Indonesia was established in December 1995 and has been a trusted partner to the government and people of Indonesia investing a total value around $40 Million since its establishment.
About Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa
Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa is an independent non-profit organization in Indonesia that was established in August 1999 and became a global organization in 2011 through YCAB Foundation. YCAB Foundation is headquartered in New York and is registered as a non-profit organization with tax deductions facility through section 501 (c) (3).
Over the years, YCAB has evolved into a social enterprise with a focus in youth development by improving their well-being through three areas of concentration: healthy lifestyle promotion, education provision, and economic empowerment.
For further information, please contact:
Esther K Sianipar
Community Affairs Manager
PT. Microsoft Indonesia
Email: v-essian@microsoft.com
Sharon Issabella
PR Lead
PT. Microsoft Indonesia
Email: v-shaiss@microsoft.com
Linda Chalid
Development and Communications
YCAB Foundation
Email: linda.chalid@ycab.org