As a foundation that has been operating for nearly two decades, 2025 has been a year of reflection and acceleration for Dream House Indonesia Foundation (Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia). The journey that began in 2006 in Yogyakarta from a simple concern—providing a warm bed for children forced to sleep on the streets—has now transformed into a more systemic and holistic child protection movement.
Evolving Focus: Responding to Contemporary Challenges
Initially, our interventions centered on street children. However, in-depth mentoring revealed a deeper root cause: vulnerability within the family unit. In 2025, we recorded an alarming pattern. Reports of violence against children—verbal, physical, and sexual—continue to rise. More heartbreakingly, many children are now being “pushed” onto the streets by their own families to earn a living, a form of exploitation and neglect that erodes their basic rights.
Therefore, our focus has shifted and crystallized. We now officially function as a Child Welfare Institution (Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak/LKSA) targeting children in need of special protection (Anak Memerlukan Perlindungan Khusus/AMPK), specifically victims of exploitation, neglect, and violence.
Children Crisis Center: A Space for Healing and Hope
A key achievement in our journey is the strengthening of the Children Crisis Center (CCC). The CCC is not an orphanage. It is a safe home that serves as a first shelter for children in crisis conditions whose safety is threatened in their original environment.
Every child entering the CCC goes through a strict assessment and case conference process conducted by our social workers. Here, they not only receive shelter but also trauma healing, psychosocial support, and facilitation to return to school. The ultimate goal is family reunification if possible, or long-term mentoring until they achieve independence.
Prevention Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and Champions
We believe sustainable child protection must start upstream. Therefore, we have long developed Education Center programs in various at-risk villages across the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), such as in Tlukan, Wonocatur, and Sidomulyo. These activity centers become our meeting point with the community.
Through a fun learning approach for children, we build trust. From there, we introduce parenting education and socialization of the four basic rights of the child (the right to life, development, protection, and participation) to parents and the community.
Our greatest pride in 2025 is witnessing the birth of “Champions” or agents of change from within the communities themselves. They are parents or residents who have become aware and are now the frontline of violence prevention in their neighborhoods. Their presence strengthens the natural child protection network.
Collaboration and Massive Campaigns: Expanding Impact
We do not work alone. Collaboration is key. This year, synergy with the BK3S DIY chaired by GKR Hemas and the DIY Education Office opened wider doors. We received a recommendation to conduct anti-bullying campaigns and child protection awareness programs high schools across DIY. The tremendous welcome from schools proves the high need for this education.
Stories of Transformation: Dreams Revived
It is an immeasurable joy for us to see the children we mentor grow into empowered individuals. With a personal approach, including potential mapping through aptitude tests, we help them rebuild their dreams. From street children becoming reliable finance staff at our foundation, from exploitation victims becoming talented chefs in star-rated hotels, or from drop-out teens becoming candidates for overseas scholarships. Each story is a reminder of why we started all this.
Message and Hope for the Future
From within the foundation, we convey this call: “The streets are no place for a child.” Protect them by fulfilling their basic rights. For parents, be fully present. For society, do not be indifferent. Your reports and concern can save a child’s future.
The year 2025 taught us that the problems are increasingly complex, but the network of goodwill is also growing wider. Moving forward, our commitment remains: to strengthen more massive campaigns, develop more community champions, and continue to be a “home” and friend for every child who has lost their right to dream.