Christmas is a time to share kindness and compassion in meaningful ways. From Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa), we extend our deepest gratitude to our generous donors for their unwavering support of Si Mbah Penyintas ’65—the elderly survivors of the 1965 tragedy in Indonesia. Through their contributions, we were able to distribute 97 care packages and financial assistance to Si Mbah in Banyumas, Southeast Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara.
Many of Si Mbah Penyintas ’65, now in their twilight years, continue to bear the weight of state injustice that marked their youth. In Banyumas, they have formed a close-knit community called “Paguyuban 10 November” (The November 10th Gathering), where they meet monthly, taking turns hosting at one another’s homes or in coffee shops owned by their mentors. These gatherings serve as a therapeutic space, where they sing, dance, and share their stories—finding solace and strength in each other’s presence. To help meet their daily needs, the community also established a Koperasi Simpan-Pinjam (Savings and Loan Cooperative).
Our visit to Si Mbah during the Christmas season was deeply emotional. As we handed them the Christmas gifts, many recalled their painful past as if it had happened yesterday. Some spoke of the stigma that followed them for decades—the way their families were vilified, exiled from their communities, and denied access to education. Overwhelmed with emotion, some broke down in tears, unable to finish their stories.
One of the women, a Si Mbah who remains unmarried to this day, shared how the labels of the past robbed her of the life she once envisioned. Her former fiancé, like many others, refused to marry her, saying:
“You’re a communist, a criminal, from a dishonorable family. I want nothing to do with you or your kin.”
Those words, etched into her memory, became a wound too deep to heal—a trauma that led her to a life of solitude.
Yet, amidst the sorrow, there were also moments of joy and gratitude. Si Mbah Sanjan, one of the survivors, expressed his astonishment and appreciation upon receiving the Christmas donation:
“Thank you, Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa), and to all the donors who care for me. I never imagined that people would not only donate but also visit. Usually, the only ones who come to see us are the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK). IKa, may your mission continue to thrive. It amazes me that the ones who have helped us are ordinary workers—people earning minimum wage—while the government, despite its wealth, has done so little.”
As we celebrate the spirit of giving, IKa mourns the passing of one of the Si Mbah who received a Christmas gift, just weeks later, on January 21st. During our visit, he repeatedly expressed his shock and gratitude that we had come to see him. His words of thanks linger in our hearts, a solemn reminder of how much these small acts of care mean to those who have been forgotten for so long.
We know that no amount of aid can fully heal the wounds of Si Mbah’s past. But our commitment to humanity and justice will remain steadfast, ensuring that they continue to receive support, dignity, and recognition. With the continued generosity of donors, support from the GlobalGiving platform, and the collaboration of other partners, we will persist in standing by Si Mbah Penyintas ’65.
As we reflect on this season of giving, let us carry forward the spirit of solidarity—extending our care not just at Christmas but across all moments of shared faith and humanity. May we never allow indifference to dim the light of Si Mbah’s resilience or let their struggle be forgotten.
In a world grappling with increasing disparities, the role of aid and resources has never been more critical. For years, the global aid landscape has been shaped by an imbalanced power dynamic, echoing remnants of a colonial past. Today, the need for change is undeniable. This is where Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa) joins the rally driven by the conviction that it’s time to question the status quo.
Indonesia, like many nations, has long been a recipient of international aid. These well-intentioned efforts, often coming from developed countries, have played a vital role in addressing critical issues such as poverty, education, and healthcare. However, they’ve also perpetuated a troubling narrative, one that has reinforced global power imbalances.
Recognizing the urgency of transforming this narrative, IKa initiated the Forum Belajar Sumber Daya Baru (FAJAR). This visionary initiative serves as a platform for discussions aimed at reshaping the aid and resource landscape within Indonesia. FAJAR’s core mission is to foster diverse, equitable, and sustainable development resources in Indonesia, thus disrupting the longstanding pattern of top-down aid.
FAJAR is not a solitary endeavor; it is part of a broader global movement that seeks to “Shift The Power.” This movement advocates for a more balanced approach to aid, one that values local knowledge, perspectives, and leadership. With the support of the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF), FAJAR is on a mission to amplify the voices and experiences of Indonesian civil society organizations (CSOs) concerning aid and resources.
The inaugural FAJAR discussion took place virtually on 20 September 2023. Among the distinguished panelists were Dylan Mathews, CEO of Peace Direct; Kamala Chandrakirana, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan; and Lian Gogali, Founder of Institute Mosintuwu.
The topic of discussion was compelling: “The dynamics of power relations in the pursuit of resources that are equitable and sustainable at the international, national, and local levels.” What unfolded was a profound dialogue that exposed the intricacies of an imbalanced system.
There is the urgent need to reform the international system, which often sidelines local organizations. Insights from the discussion unveiled the excuses commonly used to maintain the status quo, from questioning local organizations’ capacity to the risks associated with direct funding.
While aid was aimed to realize social justice, it sometimes backfired to the communities they wished to serve. It’s crucial to recognize that aid has often been perceived as an act of charity, a well-intentioned gesture, rather than a pursuit of social justice. This perspective has profoundly influenced the aid models in place. Under this lens, aid recipients were often seen as either lacking in strength or entangled in conflicts.
These aid models have inadvertently contributed to the erosion of local knowledge. This erosion is discernible in the aid mechanisms themselves, the procedural aspects, and the thematic focus of various programs, such as training and workshops. The framework through which aid was disseminated operated on the assumption that local populations possessed insufficient or irrelevant knowledge. Local wisdom was consistently marginalized, considered inconsequential.
Central to the discussion was the concept of decolonization, a term not universally embraced but undeniably pivotal in describing the transformation needed in aid practices. Decolonization, in this context, goes beyond critiquing former colonial powers. It’s about dismantling neo-colonial worldviews, which portray the Global North as possessing knowledge while casting the Global South as helpless.
While the discussion highlighted the pervasive problems, it also inspired hope and a call to action. Decolonization, as emphasized, involves naming racism as a problem and dismantling neo-colonial attitudes. It demands a complete transformation of the sector, with local organizations taking the lead.
A critical shift is needed in the discourse surrounding aid models. This shift should prioritize understanding the intricacies of the local context before anything else. Regrettably, these models have also given rise to a new elite class, primarily benefiting from unequal access to resources and opportunities. This bias towards a specific social class has excluded grassroots communities from active participation. Their valuable knowledge and unique perspectives have been unjustly sidelined when designing aid programs.
The structured disbursement of aid has engendered broader cultural and attitudinal changes. It has instilled a pervasive materialistic outlook, altering social relationships and values. This transformation is a direct result of how aid was systematically distributed and ingrained in the culture.
The localization approach is seen as a step in the right direction, aiming to transfer more funds directly to local organizations. However, critiques have arisen, arguing that it has become more about metrics and funding mechanisms than addressing power dynamics and structural racism. The focus should be on investing in local organizations rather than merely converting existing initiatives into a localized format. A decolonized sector, it was agreed, would ultimately be a transformed one, with power lying in the hands of local organizations.
However, this transformation is easier said than done. The inertia of large bureaucracies and the uncertainty surrounding the path forward have led to a form of paralysis in the sector. The challenge now is to translate intentions into meaningful actions. It was clear that conversations about aid and decolonization shouldn’t be monopolized by Global North organizations. Global South organizations must have a voice in shaping the narrative.
The discussion proceeded on the second day to convene representatives of Saya Perempuan Anti-Korupsi (SPAK), Yayasan Bina Swadaya, Mama Aletha Fund, Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN), Roemah Inspirit, Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Jakarta (LBH Jakarta), and Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).
At the heart of this intricate discourse lay a fundamental question: as new channels for accessing resources emerge, how do they influence the autonomy and agency of these organizations?
Over the course of the discussions, diverse experiences and strategies came to the fore. Some had ventured into resource mobilization, pioneering social enterprises and public fundraising efforts. Others navigated the complex web of global donor funding.
For advocacy-oriented CSOs, particularly those engaged in battling corruption, securing funds from foreign donors could be an arduous endeavor. The asymmetrical power relations inherent in this process often meant grappling with external influences and interference. Even the terms of engagement, embedded in contractual agreements, could be wielded as tools of intervention by donors. This left CSOs walking a precarious tightrope between fulfilling their missions and complying with external expectations.
The transition to social enterprise, a promising avenue for sustainability, necessitated the development of a new skill set. Beyond the realms of advocacy, managing businesses and marketing products demanded a different expertise. The harmonization of these two seemingly divergent paths became crucial for CSOs seeking both financial viability and social impact.
In essence, the discussions shed light on a profound reflection: power and resources are inseparable bedfellows. While the landscape of resource access for CSOs is evolving, the critical need for vigilance remains. The influx of new avenues must be met with discernment to ensure that organizational sovereignty is not eroded but fortified.
This captivating dialogue was not merely an exploration of past experiences and present challenges; it was a collective rumination on the future. It was an acknowledgment that the transformation of the aid ecosystem must go hand in hand with the revitalization of resource management. Power dynamics must shift, and CSOs must be empowered to chart their destinies. This process is fraught with complexities, but within these complexities lie the seeds of change. The world of aid is evolving, and in this evolution, there is hope for a more equitable and sustainable future.
#ShiftThePower Peer-learning Event by the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF), held at Tewa Center, Kathmandu, Nepal in May 2023, was attended by philanthropic actors from various countries.
The GFCF #ShiftThePower peer-learning event held at the Tewa Center in Kathmandu in May 2023 was a diverse assembly of philanthropic actors hailing from various corners of the world. Unbeknownst to me, as I stepped into this dynamic space, it ignited a profound odyssey of introspection and rigorous scrutiny of power dynamics within the realm of philanthropy. The event’s discussion and insights proved to be a thought-provoking experience, stimulating me to re-evaluate my preconceived notions regarding the significance of an organization such as mine – Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa for short, and in English Indonesia for Humanity) – in our capacity as a civil society resource organization.
The event served as a revelation, shedding light on the frequently disregarded power dynamics that are deeply ingrained in intermediary organizations. It implored us to meticulously unravel the intricacies and conscientiously evaluate our influence on the communities we cater to. We found ourselves compelled to ponder whether our well-meaning endeavours inadvertently uphold a narrative that deprives local communities of their autonomy and resources. It became clear to me that we must relinquish this stigmatization and cultivate a milieu where communities are acknowledged as proactive agents of change and decision-makers in their own regard.
The discussions too underscored the pressing imperative to transcend conventional donor-recipient dynamics and to re-conceptualize partnerships as equitable collaborations. We have to cast off the lens of external presumptions and embrace a more nuanced approach. We ought not to impose prescriptive solutions, but rather be committed to active listening, adaptation, and support. The conversations underscored the significance of acknowledging that communities inherently possess their own knowledge, resources and capabilities. All too frequently, these invaluable assets go untapped, hindered by external perceptions that portray communities as being devoid of agency or resources. It is by deconstructing biases and power structures that we can pave a fresh path toward the genuine empowerment of communities.
Nurturing localization and ownership poses its fair share of challenges. It necessitates humility and a steadfast dedication to sustained involvement. However, the rewards are profound: a philanthropic landscape that is both equitable and sustainable, empowering communities to become the architects of their own development.
As participants from diverse backgrounds and philanthropic fields shared their experiences and insights, a shared comprehension materialized – that Southern civil society possesses the tremendous capacity to defy, shape and forge a fresh framework of authority and unity. However, in order to grasp this notion, we must transcend the limitations of conventional gathering spaces and authentically embody the ideals we strive to uphold. Merely engaging in discussions and formulating strategies falls short; we must behave like a movement in action.
To embody the essence of a movement, we must go beyond mere passive participation. In order to truly make a difference, we must exhibit a willingness to step outside our comfort zones, challenge the status quo, and rally others to join us in our pursuit of justice and equity.
As a citizen of the Global South, I believe that we bear a distinctive obligation to propel this movement onward. It is imperative that we tap into our collective power, utilizing the richness of our varied expertise and experiences to push for meaningful transformation. The change we strive for cannot be entrusted solely to external actors or institutions. Instead, we have to take responsibility for our destinies and emerge as agents of transformation in our own regard. It entails harnessing our networks, both online and offline, forging connections, exchanging resources and cultivating cooperation. It is important that we do not shy away from confronting deeply ingrained systems and structures that perpetuate both inequality and exploitation.
We shall draw inspiration from the historical currents that have shaped our world, from the battles for civil rights to the relentless struggles against colonialism and systemic oppression. These movements were propelled by everyday individuals who rejected the prevailing order and dared to imagine an alternative future.
Ultimately, the focus extends beyond IKa or any solitary institution. It encompasses a collaborative endeavour that surpasses geographical boundaries and empowers the communities we are dedicated to supporting.
None of us simply exists as passive participants in the grand scheme of things; for we are the catalysts of change and the architects of our own progress.
This article is a reflective piece from the GFCF Peer-learning Event on the #ShiftThePower movement. It is also published in English and can be accessed on the GFCF website.
