My Jakarta: Stien Hitipeuw, Orphanage Founder

The Jakarta Globe, Zack Petersen

"It’s a mother’s love that made me take them from Ambon and bring them here," says Stien Hitipeuw.

Tuesday is Mother’s Day in Indonesia, and while all good moms deserve praise, there is one mother in South Jakarta who deserves special recognition.

Stien Hitipeuw opened an orphanage in Bintaro to give a home and proper education to nearly 50 children left orphaned or abandoned by the religious violence that hit Ambon in 1999.

How long has the orphanage been open?

Seven years now. We have 48 boys and girls from Ambon. They came here as the result of the fighting that started in Ambon in 1999. They’ve been taken from the mountains and valleys of Ambon and brought here to get a proper education.

Where did you get the idea to start an orphanage?

It comes from a mother’s love. Being a mother you have to follow the love you have for children. It’s a mother’s love that made me take them from Ambon and bring them here.

What’s the age range of the children here?

The children are aged between 5 and 17. I have to look for money to send them on to further their education. Next year we have two children going to college.

How do you raise money?

By kneeling down before the Lord. The Lord will certainly provide. He loves the orphanage.

But it’s not just an orphanage?

No, we have 40 elderly people staying here as well. The children are from Ambon, but the elderly are from all over Indonesia.

Was this your house before it was an orphanage?

Yes, but I gave it to the children. I’m ready to give them anything.

Do you consider yourself their mother?

Sometimes I forget to take care of myself because I’m so concerned with their welfare. I only sleep three hours a day. I work night and day for these kids.

What about if you need time to yourself?

I get up at 3 or 4 in the morning and pray.

Would the kids here consider you a strict mom?

[Laughs] Sometimes I have to be strict in order to teach them discipline. Sometimes I feel bad and inside my heart I cry, but I do it out of love. Ambonese children have strong characters so I have to be tough. Even though I’m strict sometimes, they love me very much, because I’m their mother.

Why is it important to you for the children to interact with the elderly people staying here?

I mix them so they learn to love the elderly. Plus, most of the children’s parents are dead so the older people can act as their parents here.

Are you planning to celebrate Christmas here at the orphanage?

On January 4 we are having a Christmas party here and inviting children from orphanages all over Jakarta. I’m inviting children from Muslim orphanages. I want to teach the children to love one another — Buddhist, Muslim, everyone — as they love themselves. We have to forget the past and look toward the future.

Are you planning on giving presents to the kids?

We don’t give them presents. Sometimes the people who visit the orphanage bring presents like books, clothes, shoes, backpacks and school uniforms.

What’s been your proudest moment here at the orphanage?

When the children, there were five of them, ranked highest in their class. When they came from Ambon the teachers said that the kids who were supposed to be in sixth grade were so behind that they should be put in second grade. But now they’re on the same level as everyone else in their class. Another thing that makes me proud is whenever the children enter a choir or football competition and win.

What’s the most difficult aspect of running an orphanage?

Sometimes I worry about having enough money. There are all the school fees, and sometimes when someone gets sick, I wonder if we have enough money to pay the doctor’s bill. But the Lord always provides for the children and the elderly, plus the salaries of the 15 people who work here, most of whom are Muslim.

Was it important for you to employ Muslims?

People need to understand that this is for everyone. Sometimes I need to give food or clothes to my neighbors, other times I give it to the people and children of Ambon. It’s for everyone. My dream is to build a medical clinic here so that everyone, not just Christians, can be provided with the proper services. This house is here not only to receive but also to give.