THE HOME FOR THE AGED

(note : it is no longer continued since about 2006)

 

 

In 1984, the construction of the building and provision of the equipment was finished. The pupils of the Orphanage were already accommodated at Pondok Gede, while the schools work was proceeding as expected, as was the work of the health service.

 

The attention of the Board of the Foundation was therefore directed to the old building, the former dorm at Depok, that was by now in a very poor condition. The problems facing the Foundation, apart from the need for construction funds, concerned the utilization of the building once construction was finished. After consideration, it was decided that the building would be used as a Home for the Aged.

 

The success of national development in the field of health has yielded an extended life expectancy for all people which means that the number of old people will increase greatly. Old people constitute a complex problem that requires a considered solution. There are people that are poorly cared for because of economic circumstances and there are also those that feel lonely because all their children are busy at work. Besides, the Foundation feels compelled to give special attention to the older members of the Pa van der Steur Foundation.

 

For these reasons, the Foundation decided to erect a Home for the Aged that would assist the Government in national development, especially in the field of social welfare. The construction of the building was henceforth carried out and the ground was broken for this purpose on November 3, 1985. The building for the Pa van der Steur Home for the Aged has facilities for 24 persons and covers 5,536 metre square.

 

Although the building is situated in the center of town, its atmosphere is quite comfortable and quiet. In a short time, several families had entrusted their parents to this institution to be cared for. In order to offer the best service possible, the Foundation has cooperated with various parties. As for health services, the Foundation has worked together with the community health center at Depok, while for the spiritual well-being of its residents it has cooperated with the nearest Protestant Church.

 

So that the old people do not feel separated from their families, at certain times the Foundation gives them occasion to be together with their children and grand-children. Apart from this, visits are often made by certain parties, e.g. by Church as well as government agencies which has proved to be very useful in giving comfort and attention to these elders.

 

In offering services at this Home for the Aged, the Foundation not only lightens the task of families in caring for their elders, but also makes efforts to give those ageing people tranquil and happy feelings in living the rest of their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH SERVICE

 

 

In Pondok Gede, the Pa van der Steur dorm was situated in one of districts of Bekasi that borders directly on Jakarta. The distance of Pondok Gede from the center of Jakarta is not great. Nevertheless its community’s living standards were still very simple. The population in general relied on the proceeds of wet rice fields and gardens, or they made a living as retail traders. Also, Pondok Gede was at that time still isolated from other regions, because road and transportation facilities were poor. The level of education in the community was still very low, because there were only a few Elementary Schools. The facilities of the health services were still limited and were difficult to reach. Learning of such conditions, the Pa van der Steur Foundation felt itself called upon to do something useful for the community surrounding it. After considering the situation it was decided to set up a health service, by building a dispensary. With the help of several doctors, who come 3 times a week, the Pa van der Steur Foundation has opened their new area of service, making low-cost medical treatment available to the public. Those patients who need follow-up treatment are referred to one of the nearby hospitals. The health centre mentioned above also functions as a supporter of the School Health Service and the students’ health can be examined free of charge, as can that of the teachers, employees and their families.

 

The development of Pondok Gede has been very rapid, and has been accompanied an increase in the availability of service equipment. Due both to the efforts of the government and of the private sector, the Pa van der Steur Health Centre now treats even greater numbers of children from the Orphanage and its employees, on a regular basis.