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Help us stop human trafficking in its tracks!
The MetalMorphosis Charitable Foundation (previously known as Foundation 18) exists to fund the humanitarian projects founded by Australian-born artist and humanitarian, Cate Culp in 2010, with the purpose of minimising the effects of human trafficking. Cate established an orphanage and accompanying projects in the small village of Ringdikit, on the island of Bali in Indonesia, and has since dedicated much of her life, time and income to ensuring the welfare of children in the region.
The humanitarian suite, registered with the Indonesian government under the Indonesian language name Yayasan Dharma Sadana (YDS), includes a small group home for verified orphans, and outreach programs to assist severely disadvantaged children in the wider community, with education, housing, health and safety. We also offer assistance to women escaping domestic violence, and the elderly who are without any family support.
A better kind of orphanage
There is no shortage of orphanages in Indonesia. Sadly, most of them are filled with children who have been relinquished by families who simply can’t afford to feed them.
Our group home is only for verified orphans, or children who would be at risk in their own homes. Yayasan Dharma Sadana prefers to keep children with their families, wherever possible to do so. Families facing extreme financial hardship can be referred to our outreach programs, to avoid the heartbreak of surrendering a child.
The group home was established to care for children in a safe and loving family environment, rather than a dormitory style accommodation. Children are raised with sympathy to local tradition and religion. All children in our care attend local government schools and are encourage to learn extension skills such as English language.
Our onsite staff play a parental role to our residential children and in compliance with Balinese culture there is a “it takes a village” philosophy with many children from the village welcome to drop in for a friendly chat or something to eat if they are hungry.
Outreach Programs
Beyond the walls of our orphanage we endeavour to create an environment where human trafficking ceases to be viable. This means ensuring that all of the children in our village, and surrounding area, have access to affordable education, food, immunisation and clothing.
Via our Education Outreach program we currently fund the education of 211 children, including providing food, clothing, health insurance, immunisations and emergency medical assistance. In some instances we also assist in transport to and from school
Via our Open Kitchen program, we currently provide approximately 10,000 free meals each month to children who would otherwise go without.
Malaysian Partnership
Most recently the MetalMorphosis Charitable Foundation has expanded their operations to extend funding to the rehabilitation of children and young adults who have been rescued from the child sex trade, in Malaysia. This includes the provision of education, food, medical expenses, clothing and counselling.
Our project partners in Malaysia work tirelessly to rescue children right out of the grips of human traffickers and offer them the rehabilitation that is required for them to have a second chance at life. To date the MetalMorphosis Charitable Foundation has been able to assist by funding life changing genital reconstruction surgery to eight young survivors, and we continue to provide financial assistance for emergency medical treatment as required.
We have also been able to finance the purchase of a reliable vehicle to assist in the transport of children fleeing dangerous situations, and to ensure continued access to hospitals and counselling.
Beyond childhood
When Yayasan Dharma Sadana was established in Ringdikit our focus was on ensuring the youngest and most vulnerable were being cared for. In our travels, however, we came across many very elderly people who were living in terrible conditions and practically waiting to die, quite often from starvation.
We didn’t think this was an acceptable outcome for many elderly who have worked hard all their lives.
There are no nursing homes or ‘Meals on Wheels’ for the elderly of Ringdikit. No life insurance, no funeral funds.
Elder Care was established in July 2012, inspired by Diwi – an 87 year old woman we found waiting to die from starvation in a chicken shed. Like many elderly people in our village, she had no family to care for her and was too sick to be able to work for her own pay – she was left to rely on the generosity of her village – people who were struggling to feed their own families.
YDS′s Elder Care is a fund specifically designated to the care of Ringdikit’s senior citizens. Our first priority each month is food, second is medical care and third is establishing a funeral fund to allow the elderly to be able to be cremated in accordance with their religious beliefs at the time of their passing. Ideally we would receive enough sponsorship to be able to rent a group home to house those living in inadequate living conditions, with staff to take care of cooking and cleaning.
