Poverty Eradication

La-Tansa Foundation, is one of foundations located along the slums of Ciliwung Riverside, at Jl. Kebon Pala, Kampung Melayu, Jatinegara, East Jakarta.

Imagine, to reach its location, we have to down a winding alley, and sometimes we must be stop for a moment when passing by the other two-wheeled vehicles. It's a common thing if we attract attention of some marginal people that 'forced' to live in Jakarta.

From the outside, the foundation looks similar to most foundations, but foundations standing on a building of 3X6 meters and located right in the middle-middle of the poor neighborhoods, incredibly capable to embrace approximately 400 people from children until mothers.

Then, what makes these hundreds of mothers and children intended to join the foundation, while many similar foundations spread in the area?

It's because the foundation - which fostered by a former street children which is also an orphan - never expect any small benefit from the citizens. The optimism of Sam Syamsudin to rise up and fight together to lift the economy of local people deserve a thumbs up.

The foundation began when he dropped out of school since elementary school and seeing the majority of residents in his neighborhood are illiterate. While the economic condition is entering the alarming level and could potentially transmit these deficiencies to their children.

"Then, my wife and I touched to make some kind of shelter and education for their children, it wasn't easy at beginning and gained negative criticisms from people around, but Alhamdulillah this noble goal can be understood by all," said Sam Syamsudin.

Slowly but surely, the guidance of religious education and skills transmitted by this couple is got positive respons from outsiders.They being invited to perform in some events such as religious event, spiritual music to private agencies and even governments.

"If they got payment, I recommend the organizers to directly give it to them, and I always prioritizing the orphans, so I can feel their happiness," Sam said.

The inner relationship built with his students, finally made the mothers - who are working as domestic servants, laundry workers and traders of used clothing - tried to work with the foundation.

Finally, all the efforts made, ranging from invited the mother to learn to read and teach simple skills that can increase their income, such as making crafts from simple and minimum investment.

Finally, their good intentions received a positive response from outsiders. They received supports like text books, skill books, veil and all kinds of equipment that can sustain their creativity.

"Anyway I never ask for fee from them. It all free. I never asked any money, if their works are bought by people. This place is only for gaining knowledge, that's all," he explained.

"Actually, there's another thing that I aspire. I want to build a safe house for street children, because some people already asked to. Yet, what can I do, this foundation has limited space," Sam hoped.