Photo: Unsplash.comDear friends of YCAB,
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, YCAB proactively increased prevention and protection measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The safety and health of employees, beneficiaries, and partners are always our top priority. Therefore, starting on March 16, 2020, YCAB has implemented a Work from Home policy. All YCAB employees have also received high doses of vitamin C to increase their immunity to stay healthy during these times. We continue to open this service at YCAB’s Health Center for all employees who want to do weekly injections.
All YCAB Learning Centers (Rumah Belajar) are closed starting March 17, 2020, according to the government’s recommendation. But learning activities for students at Rumah Belajar in three locations in Jakarta will continue through the home learning method. We did this not only to protect students but also their families from exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
YCAB Ventures has extended the loan cycle for the mothers which implicated a 50% reduction of instalment. In addition, we will also provide washable face masks and hand sanitizers needed by mothers and their families to prevent transmission of the virus.
We are also currently planning a program to improve the economic resilience of families of disadvantaged mothers. We simply want to help improve their wellbeing in difficult times by topping up the government electricity subsidies to alleviate or even eliminate the family’s electricity costs. With this help, instead of using the money to pay for electricity, underprivileged families can use the money to meet basic needs such as food. We lighten their economic burden by lighting their homes. We are calling this movement: Light Up Indonesia. When this movement is officially launched in mid-April, we can all participate and invite more people to come together to be the light of Indonesia.
Furthermore, YCAB is also collaborating with KitaBisa dan Benih Baik in raising funds for the families of disadvantaged mothers to be able to get access to food aid by distributing tokens to buy groceries such as rice, cooking oil, instant noodles and canned food.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people who have been affected by this crisis, and we appreciate the healthcare workers and communities around the world who are working to contain the virus.
Let’s always look after our health and support each other in this challenging time. Hopefully, the COVID-19 health disaster will soon pass. God protects us all.