Thanks to the support of generous donors, FCJ Sisters in Yogyakarta, Indonesia are able to support a number of persons with disabilities and their families. Sr Meita fcJ writes about two moments which embody this support: a family outing to the Benteng Vredeburg Museum, and therapy training for families with cerebral palsy.
The families with disabilities we assist always look forward to group activities, especially the annual outings. These outings provide an opportunity for them to meet other families with members with disabilities. They also encounter people who truly accept and love them for who they are, including both old and new volunteers, as well as the FCJ Sisters and Companions in Mission.
This year, we visited Benteng Vredeburg Museum and cultural heritage site founded in the 17th century. The families we support not only enjoyed the beauty of the place but also learned about some of our national heroes. Approximately 100 people with disabilities, their families, and volunteers attended the outing.
While the participants took a break, a team of storytellers from Jakarta joined in. They presented captivating tales about the daily lives of families with disabilities. Everyone involved had a lovely day. The location was perfect for our needs. Despite it being a hot day, the heat was softened by the cool trees.There was plenty of space and a wonderful atmosphere allowing for laughter, food, and stories.
Therapy Training For Families With Cerebral Palsy
Therapy is a primary need for people with cerebral palsy. Parents need to have therapy skills to be able to provide therapy for their family members. A recent change in government regulations regarding therapy for people with disabilities has meant that the children and young people we support no longer receive free therapy. This is a great loss to them and their family members. The families we support were therefore very enthusiastic about the training we gave to them. Seven families with members with disabilities attended the training, which we held on May 9 and 16, 2025. The purpose of the training was to provide education and support to parents in caring for family members with CP according to their child’s needs.
For this activity, we collaborated with YAKKUM, a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities. This meant that the training was well suited to the needs of the children and young people we support. It was our hope that the skills parents gained due to this activity will help them to love and care for their family members with CP even more effectively than previously.
