Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB Foundation) and Microsoft Provide Computer Course for Underprivileged and Drop Outs Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jakarta, 18 February 2011 – Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB Foundation) in partnership with Microsoft are providing computer course for underprivileged youth and school dropouts through its House of Learning and Development (Rumah Belajar).
Rumah Belajar, which launched today at Seasons City Mall, is the eighth Rumah Belajar of YCAB Foundation. Since 2003, Rumah Belajar has educates 8,716 students in seven locations, i.e. Duta Buntu, Cikarang, Tegal Alur, Plumpang, Kampung Permata, and Padang. For the eighth Rumah Belajar, YCAB Foundation also works together with Seasons City, which provides a space to accommodate learning activities.
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.
The computer class will be held for 3 months, and the classes will be divided according to the pre-test’s result. For the students’ selection process, YCAB Foundation also conducts an assessment to make sure that the computer course is given to those who are in need.
“We were very happy to work with Microsoft as one of the software industry leaders in providing this 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,” said Founder/CEO YCAB Foundation Veronica Colondam during the launching.
Rumah Belajar is not only provides informal educationbut also English courses, digital inclusion, and other vocational skill trainings, as well 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 Director of House of Learning and Development (HoLD) YCAB Foundation Firza Imam Putra.
He 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.
“Our partnership with YCAB Foundation through Rumah Belajar Microsoft is a part of our commitment to fulfil Microsoft’s mission to support Indonesian people, especially the young generation to develop their potential in the area of information and technology,” said President Director of PT. Microsoft Indonesia Sutanto Hartono. “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.”
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 Sutanto.
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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.
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 organizations that already have the facility of tax reductions (tax deductions) through section 501 (c) (3).
YCAB Foundation aims to establish independence in adolescents with a comprehensive development approach through the Healthy Lifestyle Promotion (HeLP), House of Learning and Development (HoLD), and Hands-on Operation for Entrepreneurship (HOpE).
For more information, please visit www.ycabfoundation.org
For further information, please contact:
Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa
Linda Chalid
Development and Communications Division
Tel: +62 21 5835 5000
Fax: +62 21 5835 5001
Microsoft Indonesia
Yvonne Tirtoprodjo
Marketing & Communication Director
Tel. +62 811 900 221
E-mail: yvonne.tirtiprodjo@microsoft.com