The Christmas season is sometimes called the ‘season of giving’, and whilst that certainly has to do with the practice of giving Christmas presents, this also stems from a tradition of charitable giving at the end of the year.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it doesn’t matter —what better way is there to show gratitude after a fruitful year than by giving back to others? As such, here we showcase some incredible charitable foundations in Jakarta, supporting a variety of needs, from childhood care, animal rescue to disability assistance. These foundations represent the heart of community service in the city. Why not start this season right by supporting those are truly making a difference in Jakarta.
Yayasan Kasih Anak Kanker Indonesia / YKAKI
(Care for Children with Cancer Foundation Indonesia)
YKAKI was founded with the vision that every child in Indonesia suffering from cancer deserves access to the best possible treatment and therapy, as well as the opportunity to learn and play, even during illness. Since 2008, YKAKI has been a member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest global network supporting children with cancer, with 180 members across 90 countries on six continents. This affiliation allows YKAKI to learn from and share experiences with similar organisations worldwide, enhancing its ability to support children in their fight against cancer.
The foundation plays a critical role in supporting underprivileged families with children undergoing cancer treatment. Its initiatives, including the Rumah Kita and Sekolah-Ku programmes, demonstrate its significant contribution to fostering social networks that improve the well-being of both patients and their families.
On 18 February 2010, YKAKI launched its flagship fundraiser, “@ksi10.000.” The campaign invites the public to donate a minimum of IDR 10,000 to help sustain the Rumah Kita and Sekolah-Ku programmes. These funds support educational activities, equipment, and teacher salaries for children receiving treatment.
Jalan Percetakan Negara XI No. 129, Cempaka Putih, Jakarta 10570
+62 21 42872556 / +62 81385668887
ykaki.org
Rachel House Foundation
(Palliative Care for Children)
Despite the absence of palliative care in medical school curricula, its role in alleviating suffering is vital. Palliative care focuses on the comprehensive management of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual symptoms, not only for patients but also for their families. Established in November 2006 under the name Yayasan Rumah Rachel, Rachel House pioneered the provision of free medical assistance to children from disadvantaged backgrounds facing terminal illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. The foundation ensures these children can spend their final days with dignity, joy, and love in a safe environment.
Rachel House also invests in building palliative care capacity across Indonesia. It regularly trains nurses in pain and symptom management, working with medical professionals from Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. This outreach spans large hospitals, public clinics, nursing schools, health volunteers, and social workers. A key outcome of these efforts was the creation of Indonesia’s first paediatric palliative care unit at Dharmais Cancer Hospital in late 2010.
Graha Indramas, 1st Floor, Jalan K.S. Tubun No. 77, Slipi, Jakarta 11410
+62 21 53652197
rachel-house.org
Jakarta Animal Aid Network / JAAN
Founded in February 2008 by Femke den Haas, Karin Franken, and Natalie Stewart, JAAN campaigns to raise awareness of animal welfare across Indonesia. It works to combat cruelty towards pets and domestic animals, as well as to halt the trafficking and exploitation of endangered wildlife. Serving as both an information hub and a meeting place for volunteers, JAAN runs numerous initiatives focused on rescue, rehabilitation, education, and promoting compassionate treatment.
JAAN’s programmes include sterilising stray cats and dogs, rehoming mistreated pets, rescuing exotic animals, and training carriage horse drivers in humane care practices. Additionally, JAAN provides rehabilitation for endangered native species, including the Brahminy Kite, sea turtles, dolphins, and various primates, at its facilities across Indonesia. The organisation is funded entirely by donations and events, and it operates with the support of dedicated volunteers.
+62 85888807500 (For donation drop-off information)
jakartaanimalaid.com
Indonesian Street Children Organisation / ISCO Foundation
The ISCO Foundation was established by expatriates and Indonesians to tackle poverty through education. Concerned about children at risk of becoming street children or child labourers, ISCO began in 1999 by sponsoring 50 children in two Jakarta communities. Today, it supports over 2,200 children across 28 locations, including Surabaya and Medan.
ISCO’s mission is to improve the quality of life for underprivileged families by providing scholarships and educational support from pre-school through to secondary education—and, where possible, university. The foundation focuses on five key areas: education, activity centres, health and nutrition, protection and advocacy, and early childhood programmes. It works closely with local schools and communities to identify families in need and provide practical support.
Jalan Anggrek Nelli Murni V Blok B No. 28, Kemanggisan, Jakarta
+62 21 548 1994 / +62 899 0033 356
iscofoundation.org
Yayasan Kampung Kids
The issue of malnutrition in Indonesia prompted a group of Indonesian citizens and expatriates to establish Yayasan Kampung Kids on 7 November 1999. The foundation provides basic nutrition, healthcare, and education to children from low-income communities, aiming to break the cycle of poverty.
Beyond feeding the hungry, Kampung Kids educates parents on health, hygiene, and child-rearing practices. It offers scholarships for children from primary through secondary school, with additional sponsorship for top students to attend university. A volunteer-run pre-school programme also gives children aged 4 to 6 a head start on their education.
Jalan Terusan Pejaten Barat II No. 22, Jakarta
+62 21 7194787 / +628129540527 (Community Centre)
kampungkids.org
Yayasan Peduli Tuna Daksa
(Foundation for the Physically Disabled)
For people with disabilities—particularly those without limbs—procuring prosthetics is essential for everyday life. In 2006, Dada J.P. Vaswani, under the Sadhu Vaswani Centre Foundation (India), established Yayasan Peduli Tuna Daksa in Sunter, North Jakarta, to provide free prosthetic limbs to those in need.
The foundation collaborates with Jaipur Foot India to offer prosthetic limbs and braces for polio patients. Registration is straightforward through kakipalsu.com. For those who can afford it, prosthetics are available at a modest price—IDR 1,750,000 for a leg or arm, and IDR 500,000 for a hand—helping subsidise costs for less fortunate recipients. Prosthetics are custom-fitted within two hours, allowing visitors from distant areas to leave with their new limbs the same day.
Jalan Agung Niaga IV Blok G5 No. 17, Sunter Agung, Jakarta
+62 21 65309156/57 / +6281210883351
kakipalsu.com
Yayasan Cheshire Indonesia
Yayasan Cheshire Indonesia, also known as Wisma Cheshire Indonesia, was founded in 1974 offering residential care for paraplegics and the differently-abled. The residence goes beyond a ‘care home’: it is a place of empowerment whereby residents are given opportunities to learn, work and develop their own means of independence and become productive members of society.
Yayasan Cheshire Indonesia is a member of the Global Alliance of Leonard Cheshire Disability, a London-based non profit. The efforts of the organisation are centred at the residence, found in Cilandak, South Jakarta, providing a home for those with physical disabilities from birth, illness or indeed from accidents. Residents come from financially-challenged backgrounds, or environments not conducive for the differently-abled. With the support of dedicated full-time staff and generous volunteers, Yayasan Cheshire Indonesia provides not only housing, but also daily food and drink, and opportunities to improve their wellbeing.
What is perhaps most important is that Yayasan Cheshire Indonesia creates opportunity for personal growth, including training in conversational english, computer skills, life and entrepreneurial skills. On a more practical side, they teach woodwork and handicraft skills which are used in the residence’s workshop to create fabulous gift products from batik gift bags and pillow cases to hand-carved decor and toys. They also produce ‘eco-enzyme’ cleaning products, having been taught how to upcycle fruit waste into natural cleaning solutions. The above are sold online, at the residence and across bazaars across Jakarta, helping to raise crucial funds for the house. Through all of these experiences combined, the residents build their sense of self-worth, dignity and confidence, opening them up to further opportunities and, hopefully, to independence. Some residents have even become national paralympians, and excelled in other fields. They are also given opportunities to talk and raise awareness on the rights of differently-abled communities through Young Voices Indonesia.
A great way to support Yayasan Cheshire Indonesia is to browse their fabulous products on-site or online (Red Feather Shop), or indeed to donate and/or visit the residence.
Jalan Wijaya Kusuma No. 15A,
Cilandak, South Jakarta
+62-21 769-2059
contactwisma@gmail.com
IG: wismacheshire
wismacheshire.com
