There is no place like home

Luckily most children in Western Europe have a safe and warm home. In Indonesia thousands of children don't. They live under the direst circumstances in slums, next to the railroads, under bridges and on rubbish dumps. They try to make a living by working as street singers, porters, cleaners or pickpockets. Schools or job training to improve their prospects are beyond their reach. 

The Sanggar Anak Akar tries to improve the lives and future of these street children. Founded in 1994 as part of the Jakarta Social Institute's programme, and independent since December 2000, Sanggar Anak Akar has grown into an educational centre that welcomes around 200 street children each day. The board members and staff are Indonesian professionals and volunteers. The children get lessons in several subjects, make music, produce newsletters and learn to cope with different responsibilities. They also attend workshops in looking after animals, gardening and housework. In addition, they spend a lot of time on art and theatre. The annual highlight is a musical production - written and performed by the children themselves in one of Djakarta's big theatres.

At the moment, Sanggar Anak Akar uses a piece of land that it has leased for several years. On this land staff and children themselves built several classrooms, using driftwood and garbage. But in the summer of 2004 the lease will expire and the owner does not want to renew it. This means that the foundation will have to find a new location. It is very difficult to find suitable locations and to lease these for longer periods. The centre is unwelcome in many communities, which fear crime and devaluation of their properties. Moreover, moving every few years hampers the staff in the further development of the educational facilities. That is why the foundation wants to buy the land on which it is currently located. It could then also build more permanent classrooms, a library, staff offices and a small art studio. It would be great if the foundation could celebrate its 10th anniversary - in December 2004 - on its own land in its own buildings. At present, the foundation's members and sponsors have raised over $ 65.000; they are only short of 3,000 Euro to realise their plans. 

Moments of Joy would like to support this project. It will give 200 children a safer existence and a better future .Sanggar Anak Akar offers the children a secure and warm environment and gives them an education that will enable them to make their own living. They need your support for that. For 15 Euro per child, over 200 children can go to school, make music, produce musicals and become independent. When they are grown up, they might even have their own homes... 

Total € 3000,-- 

adopted for € 900 by an anonymous private person and € 2100 donated by Moments of Joy general fund

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