Jakarta, August 13, 2019 – Entering its 20th year, YCAB was ranked 35th on the World’s Top 500 NGO map by NGO Advisor based in Geneva, Switzerland. As quoted by Registry magazine, the world ranking of 35 like this is equivalent to the title of unicorn in the start-up world, but YCAB is included in the unicorn of impact category. This is an extraordinary achievement as an NGO whose consistency is recognized in advancing underprivileged youth and women in Indonesia. By the end of June 2019, YCAB had reached nearly three and a half million teenagers through various education programs and more than 150 thousand women micro entrepreneurs through economic empowerment programs. With a solid vision and mission, YCAB has strengthened its steps to reach five million young people by the end of 2020.
YCAB Foundation (Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa) was born with the love care of a mother named Veronica Colondam who is concerned about the pattern of growth and development of adolescents who are threatened by risky behaviours. However, when Veronica became aware of the high school dropout rate, YCAB began to expand into the world of education by establishing a Learning House in 2003. Then in 2010 YCAB began a conditional ultra-micro finance program by providing ultra-micro venture capital loans to pre-prosperous mothers to increase the family economy so that their children’s education is guaranteed. During the loan period, the children of these mothers are prohibited from dropping out of school. This is motivated by the large number of Rumah Belajar students who, after dropping out of formal school, still cannot continue their education because they cannot afford the transportation, clothing and stationary costs. YCAB provides educational collateral requirements for loans provided these mothers may invite children from around them who have dropped out of school to study at Rumah Belajar.
To date, YCAB’s Venture Capital has reached 158,013 women, ultra-micro traders, most of whom are engaged in retail (food stalls) and food providers. With business support for mothers, family economic stability can be helped. YCAB’s microcredit intervention has proven to double their income after two years as an active borrower. In fact, most of them managed to have savings that were not previously possible. The success of this intervention has been included in the academic journal ‘Emerald Insight’ in 2017 which proves that YCAB’s conditional microcredit education has significantly improved community welfare. YCAB’s founder believes that education can be the means to the end of poverty in a sustainable manner. With this premise, YCAB integrates educational programs into economic empowerment programs.
In commemoration of its 20th anniversary, YCAB held a celebration with the theme 20 Years Journey to Impact. Various interesting events were held to increase knowledge and inspire students in the Rumah Belajar and mothers who receive micro credit assistance. The celebration was enlivened by a cooking competition with a total prize of IDR 8 million that was distributed to three groups of winners. In addition to the cooking competition, YCAB also organized inspirational classes that were given by several of YCAB’s friends including: Isabela Fawzi (TV Host and writer), Marissa Haque (actress, book writer, researcher in halal management), Rivo Pahlevi (TV Host Indonesiaku and blogger), Cecillie Christophia (Can pictures & Management CEO) and Nara Masista (member of the UN Congress & Diplomat) who shared their experiences from around the world of education and business.
As the highlight of this year’s Anniversary event, YCAB Foundation will launch a book containing 20 inspirational stories from beneficiaries of the YCAB program. This book will be launched in October, along with the commemoration of Youth Pledge Day.