Romo Janssen yang bernama lengkap Paulus Hendrikus Janssen, terlahir 29 Januari 1922 dari pasangan Paul Hubert dan Maria Hellena Fillot, di kota kecil bernama Venlo, the Netherland. Pada tanggal 11 Mei 1951 Romo Janssen tiba di Surabaya sebagai seorang pastor yang mengemban tugas sebagai misionaris katolik yang bertemu dengan Uskup Surabaya, yang menawarkan kepadanya tempat tinggal di Kediri, Jawa Timur.
Riwayat di Kediri
Pada tanggal 5 Mei 1951 Romo janssen tiba di wilayah Kediri, tepatnya di sebuah dusun kecil bernama Puhsarang yang terletak kurang lebih 15km dari Kediri kota. Di tempat inilah Romo Janssen mulai bekerja, bukan saja sebagai seorang misionaris, melainkan juga menjalankan misi dan visi social. Untuk kepentingan itu, dipandangnya bahwa bahasa jawa adalah suatu kunci untuk bekerja dengan masyarakat lokal. Maka ia mulai belajar bahasa jawa dari pendahulunya dan masyarakat di sekelilingnya, yang akhirnya dapat berkomunikasi fasih menggunakan bahasa jawa dalam berbagai tingkatan.
Situasi dan kondisi masyarakat di dusun-dusun dimana Romo Janssen bekerja, telah menyuguhkan keadaan sosial yang memprihatinkan pada waktu itu, khususnya penyakit, kemiskinan dan kecacatan. Pekerjaan dan panggilan Romo janssen dalam bidang social semakin kuat dalam dirinya ketika berkeliling dusun – dusun disekitarnya, yakni gringging, Kalinanas dan Kalibago. Begitu banyak ditemukan orang sakit TBC dan frambosia (koreng). Lebih dari itu ada cukup banyak anak cacat yang amat miskin dan menjadi terlantar.
Untuk orang – orang yang menderita sakit, Romo Janssen harus pulang pergi antara Kediri – Surabaya untuk mendapatkan obat – obatan. Beruntung bahwa di Surabaya juga bertemu seorang dokter yaitu dr.Parijs yang bertugas di Karangmenjangan. Melalui dokter inilah Romo Janssen belajar bagaimana mengobati penyakit frambosia dengan penicillin, berkeliling dan menjumpai si sakit di rumah – rumahnya, meskipun hanya bersepeda ontel.
Kian hari banyak memerlukan uluran tangan. Hingga ditemukan seorang sahabat yang memberinya sepeda motor, walaupun sepeda tua tetapi masih dapat digunakan. Hal seperti inilah yang menjadi salah satu kepiawaiannya untuk menggalang sumberdaya local yang menjadi cikal bakal pekerjaan utamanya yaitu bekerja merehabilitasi penyandang cacat dengan pendekatan RBM (Rehabilitasi Berbasis Masyarakat/CBR = Community Based Rehabilitation).
Romo Janssen semasa di Kediri

Tidak hanya sampai itu saja, di wilayah ini pula, Romo janssen mulai mendirikan sekolah – sekolah, mulai dari TK Montesori, SD dan SMP Don Bosco. Dianggapnya, bahwa permasalahan dan masalah kecacatran banyak terjadi karena kebodohan. Oleh karenanya solusi yang tepat adalah pendidikan dan pelatihan. Namun masalah baru dihadapi, yaitu sulitnya mendapatkan tenaga guru waktu itu. Tidak kehabisan akal, dikembangkannya system networking. Berangkatlah Romo Janssen ke kota Yogyakarta dan mencari bantuan. Maka tak selang berapa lama, adalah bermunculan guru sukarelawan yang mau mengajar di TK, SD, dan SMP. Beberapa guru lain datang dari Muntilan.
Namun karena para guru tersebut seringakali kurang memadai, dibentuklah kursus B1 Pendidikan di Kediri. Pada waktu itu juga dimulai kursus Guidance and Counceling, yang mula – mula dengan 5 peserta pada angkatan pertama dan 12 peserta pada angkatan kedua. Bahkan juga dimulai tukar menukar pengajar B1 antara Kediri, Surabaya dan Yogyakarta.

Dengan kesibukan ini, bukan berarti perhatian pada anak – anak cacar dan miskin menjadi berkurang namun justru sebaliknya, Romo Janssen mulai mendirikan asrama putra dan putrid semacam pantia asuhan dan bahkan klinik yang melayani bimbingan dan konseling untuk memperhatikan penyandang cacat dan orang – orang sakit yang suungguh miskin dan terlantar, yang tidak layak jika dibiarkan di rumahnya, dan tidak mungkin untuk rawat di rumah sakit berlama – lama.
Demikian di beberapa wilayah Kediri terus berjalan usaha social yang dirintis dan dibangun oleh Romo Janssen, namun yang lebih penting adalah bahwa masyarakat local sudah mulai dapat berjalan dengan proses community development yang telah dimulainya.
Kediri kini
Apa yang telah ditanam oleh Romo Janssen di dusun – dusun kecil si wilayah Kediri, sampai saat ini masih terus tumbuh. Sekolahan yang prnah dibukanya juga masih berlanjut hingga saat ini, seperti TK, SD dan SMP Don Bosco.
Sedangkan untuk usaha rehabilitasi, tetap masih bertahan hingga kini. Sebut saja Panti Asuhan Bhakti Luhur di Kalibago yang lebih berfungsi sebagai Pusat Rehabilitasi Masyarakat (Puremas) dengan belasan penyandang cacar yang tinggal didalamnya. Usaha rehabilitasi juga berkembang secara pesar melalui program RBM. Dengan program ini masyarakat local ikut ambil bagian secara aktif dalam usaha rehabiltiasi dan tidak dibatasi oleh kapasitas gedung yang sempit. Cukup banyak putra –putri daerah yang telah dilatih untuk menjalankan program RBM, sehingga keberlangsungan usaha ini dapat dijamin dari waktu ke waktu.
Romo Janssen di Madiun
Pada bulan Juli 1959 Romo Janssen pindah ke Madiun, tepatnya di Jln.A Yani no.17. Perpindahan ini karena permintaan pimpinannya di Surabaya untuk mulai satu perguruan tinggi di Madiun (Widya Mandala). Selain itu, alasan kepindahannya antara lain juga mengambil posisi tengah antara Yogyakarta dan Surabaya, mengingat kedua kota ini merupakan kota yang penting untuk mengembangkan karya yang lebih besar. Kursus B1 yang dirintis di Kediri, juga dirintis di Madiun dan semakin berkembang. Kursus B1 inilah merupakan cikal bakal Perguruan Tinggi Pendidikan Guru (PTPG) yang kemudian menjadi FKIP (sekarang menjadi Universitas Widya Mandala Madiun). Tanggal 5 Agustus 1959 didirikannya Yayasan Bhakti Luhur di Madiun untuk mewadaho berbagai aktivitas social yang dijalankan bersama dengan masyarakat local, supaya mempunyai kedudukan hokum yang jelas.
Tahun – tahun selanjutnya diisi dengan aktivitas sosial dan tentunya juga tugasnya sebagai seorang misionaris. Pada tahun 1963, dimana mulai terjadi kelaparan di sekitar Ponorogo, Romo Janssen memerlukan banyak tangan untuk membantu pekerjaannya. Tepatnya tanggal 8 Septemeber 1963 didirikannya Asosiasi Perawat Bhakti Luhur, yang mula – mula hanya beranggotakan 7 orang putri. Namun merekalah yang kemudian membantu secara langsung bencana kelaparan hebat (wabah tikus) yang terjadi di wilayah Slahung dan Ponorogo. Banyak orang kekurangan makan, beri – beri dan menderita kelaparan yang amat memilukan. Terlalu banyak yang meninggal karena bencana di tahun 1963 – 1965. Hingga sekarang perawat-perawat inilah yang menjadi pembina sekaligus yang menjalankan Yayasan Bhakti Luhur.
Karya Romo Janssen di Madiun terus meluas baik di bidang pendidikan dan sosial. Di kota ini pula didirikan Sekolah Pembangunan Masyarakat (SPM, yang pada saat praktek banyak membantu pekerjaan sosial, antara lain membantu penanganan anak – anak cacat dan wabah kelaparan di Ponorogo), SD Don Bosco danSMP St.Louis, serta SLB Bhakti Luhur yang dikelola oleh perawat Bhakti Luhur. Untuk anak – anak yang cacat cukup parah, dan atau yang tidak mempunyai keluarga, dibina dan direhab di asrama di Jalan A Yani no.17.
Semakin hari, dirasakan kebutuhan akan tenaga professional semakin mendesak. Tenaga yang dimaksud adalah tenaga para guru, dokter, fisioterapis, dan terapis lain untuk penanganan dan pembinaan anak – anak cacat. Rupanya cukup sulit untuk menemukan para professional ini di Madiun dan sekitarnya, maka diputuskannya untuk pindah dan sekaligus meluaskan pekerjaan sosialnya ke Malang. Kediri dan Madiun tetap berjalan dengan sumber daya lokal yang selama ini telah dibina dan dididik. Namun secara rutin pekerjaan sosial dan karya – karya lain yang telah dirintis masih diperhatikan dan dikunjunginya.
Romo Janssen di Malang
Bulan Mei 1967 Romo Janssen pindah ke Malang, awalnya beliau mengkontrak rumah di Jln.Tapaksiring I, Samaan. Namun karena ada banyak anak cacat yang perlu ditampung dan dirawat, maka pada tanggal 26 Agustus 1967 dipindahkannya panti anak – anak cacat di Jln.Dempo no.14, Malang. Dari sinilah perkembangan Bhakti Luhur dibawah asuhan Romo Janssen terus berkembang, kian hari kian banyak anak – anak cacat yang harus ditolong dan dirawat dari sekeliling Malang.

Prof.Dr.Paul Janssen, Rektor Institut Pembangunan Masyarakat (Institute of Social Development) berpose bersama staff IPM dan peserta kursus dari jajaran Departemen Sosial Jawa Timur, Jakarta dan Yogyakarta.
Di Jln.Oro-Oro Dowo, Malang pada tahun 1969 Romo Janssen mendirikan Institut Pembangunan Masyarakat (IPM, Institute of Social Development). Semula IPM menyelenggarakan kursus – kursus rehabilitasi, baik rehabilitasi sosial maupun yang spesifik ke rehabilitasi penyandang cacat. Karena kursus ini cukup praktis, maka IPM mendapat perhatian dari LSM asing dari Jerman dan Belanda. Tidak hanya sampai disitu, UNICEF dan UNDP juga tertarik dengan kursus yang diselenggarakan oleh IPM. Dan lewat inisiatif dua lembaga PBB inilah terjalin kerjasama antara Departemen Sosial Republik Indonesia dan IPM. Banyak LSM lokal maupun internasional turut membantu.
Periode tahun 1962 – 1972 inilah merupakan periode sibuk bagi Romo Janssen, terlebih karena kerjasama dengan Departemen Sosial RI. Wujud kerjasamanya adalah bahwa IPM menjadi tempat penyelenggara kursus bagi Lembaga Sosial Desa (LSD) dalam bentuk Training for Trainers. Kursus yang dimaksud adalah kursus pengembangan masyarakat, termasuk peternakan dan pertanian. Kegiatan IPM tak hanya berpusat di Oro-Oro Dowo, namun juga meluas ke Jln.Galunggung no.3, Malang. Di dalam IPM inilah secara mendetail, Romo Janssen juga menulis sebuah buku pengembangan masyarakat yaitu 10 Metode Pekerjaan Sosial. Dengan metode itu, banyak masyarakat di pedesaan dibantu melalui program kerja LSD yang telah mendapat training dari IPM. Dan pada masa ini pula Romo Janssen diangkat menjadi Guru Besar IKIP Malang.
LSD – LKMD
Sayangnya diakhir tahun 1972 ada kebijakan dari pemerintah pusat, bahwa LSD tidak lagi dibawah Departemen Sosial melainkan akan dimasukan dalam Departemen Dalam Negeri, yang kemudian namanya menjadi Lembaga Ketahanan Masyarakat Desa (LKMD). Dengan peristiwa ini praktis IPM tidak lagi memberikan pelatihan kepada LSD – LSD, namun hanya pelatihan spesifik kea rah rehabilitasi penyandang cacat dan sosial pada umumnya. Tahun – tahun berikutnya, setelah IPM tidak lagi dapat berbicara banyak Romo Janssen mulai merintis SMPS.
Tidak berputus asa
Tidak ada kata putus sama sekali di benak pikiran Romo Janssen, kendati banyak ahli datang dari UNICEF dan UNDP maupun dari Jerman dan Belanda harus pulang meninggalkan Indonesia, dan juga berarti harus meninggalkan proyek – proyek yang tengah dikerjakan oleh karena peristiwa itu. Tetapi bukan berarti segala apa yang telah diperjuangkannya di dalam Institut Pembangunan Masyarakat tanpa hasil. Sebaliknya LSD- LSD yan gtelah mengenyam pelatihan di IPM lewat Training for Trainers, sungguh – sungguh dapat menyebarkan ilmu dan keahliannya di daerah masing – masing. Ada banyak hal yang dapat dipetik dan diterapkan dalam pengembangan masyarakat.
Setiap peristiwa pasti membawa makna tertentu. Demikian pula pergantian LSD ke LKMD juga membawa hikmah besar. Dan justru ha litulah menjadi semacam titik tolah bagi Romo Janssen untuk member perhatian secara penuh bagi penyandang cacat yang papa dan miskin serta terlantar.
Yang terkenang dari IPM

Perhatian penuh pada penyandang cacat
Hari demi hari, anak – anak cacat yang dibina oleh Romo Janssen dalam Yayasan Bhakti Luhur semakin bertambah. Konsep bahwa penyandang cacat harus tinggal di dalam masyarakat, telah mengantarkan pada suatu bentuk implementasi berupa rumah – rumah (wisma – wisma) untuk penyandang cacat di tengah masyarakat. Adalah paling baik jika penyandang cacat yang terlantar dan tidak punay keluarga, atau bahkan dijadikan komoditi oleh pihak – pihak yang tidak bertanggung jawab. Karenanya, rumah – rumah bagi penyandang cacat (asrama / wisma) tetap mutlak diperlukan, yang sekaligus sebagai media edukasi dan penyadaran bagi masyarakat seccara konkrit, bahwa di sekitar mereka masih terdapat sesama yang ‘cacat’ dan berkebutuhan khusus.
Romo Janssen dan Bhakti Luhur
Pada tahun 1075-an semakin banyak penyandang cacat dari berbagai jenis kecacatan yang diterima di Yayasan Bhakti Luhur. Dan rupanya para perawat Bhakti Luhur yang sudah dibentuk dan terus berkembang tidak dapat mengimbangi jumlah penyandang cacat yang ditemukan dan dibina di asrama. Di tahun 1979 Sekolah Menengah Pekerkaan Sosial (SMPS) yan gtelah dimulai beberapa tahun sebelumnya yang secara spesifik (kejuruan) member perhatian pada pelayanan anak – anak cacat dan berkebutuhan khusus mendapat pengakuan, tepatnya tanggal 29 September 1981 oleh Dinas Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. Dan dengan semakin kuatnya kedudukan SMPS ini, keberadaan adak – anak cacat di asrama – asrama lingkungan masyarakat menjadi lebih terjamin. Begitu seterusnya, hari demi hari Yayasan Bhakti Luhur terus berkembang. Hampir semua jenis kecacatan diterima di sini. Pada tahun 1987, Romo Janssen tidak hanya terfokus dengan pendekatan institusional (melalui panti dan sekolah), namun juga aktif dalam usaha Primary Heath Care, seperti di Kecamatan Donomulyo Malang Selatan, huga di sebuah desa di Mojorejo, Blitar. Untuk program PHC, tentu saja bekerja sama dengan Puskesmas dan Dinas Kesehatan setempat. Dua tahun kemudian yakni pertanggal 27 September 1989, Romo Janssen secara sah menjadi Warga Negara Indonesia.
Community Based Rehabilitation
Memasuki tahun 1992, PHC diperluaskan ke arah Rehabilitasi Berbasis Masyarakat (RBM), yang memeperhatikan masalah kecacatan baik secara fisik maupun kombinasi cacat fisik dan mental. RBM yang merupakan program dari WHO merupakan salah satu program yang paling baik untuk mengatasi masalah kecacatan dengan memberdayakan masyarakat setempat. Namun rupanya untuk menerapkan konsep RBM tidak begitu saja dapat berjalan. Diperlukan tenaga- tenaga yang terlatih, untuk member motivasi dan teladan konkret bagi masyarakat lokal untuk menyadari dan memulai upaya rehabilitasi. Untuk itu diperlukan pelatihan – pelatihan bagi warga masyarakat setempat supaya dapat menjalankan program rehabilitasi penyandang cacat. Maka pada tahun 1994 digagaslah kursus Petugas Lapangan RBM, yang dapat direalisasikan pada September 1995.
Kursus Pekerja Rehabilitasi
Program ini pada awal mulanya bekerjasama dengan PPRBM Prof.Dr.Soeharso Surakarta, namun pada tahun – tahun berikutnya, Bhakti Luhur menyelenggarakan pelatihan sendiri di dalam wadah Pusat Pengembangan Rehabilitasi Bersumberdaya Masyarakat (PPRBM) Yayasan Bhakti Luhur.
Banyak kaum muda yang datang dari berbagai pelosok tanah air datang untuk mengikuti program pelatihan ini. sebut saja dari NTT, Maluku, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, bahkan dari Papua, Mereka adalah pemuda – pemudi yang telah lulus dari pendidikan tingkat atas (SLTA) dan mempunyai komitmen untuk menjalankan program rehabilitasi di daerahnya. Dalam program PPRBM ini pulalah, Dinas Sosial dari beberapa provinsi juga mengirimkan tenaganya untuk mengikuti pelatihan di Bhakti Luhur, seperti Dinas Sosial DKI Jakarta, Dinas Sosial Kupang, RBM Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan, serta berbagai LSM yan gada di banyak provinsi mengikuti program pelatihan ini.
Bhakti Luhur di Indonesia
Sampai saat ini, Bhakti Luhur berkembang menjadi salah satu yayasan sosial bagi penderita cacat yang terbesar di Indonesia yang mempunyai 400 wisma yang tersebar di berbagai daerah di Indonesia dengan lebih dari 2000 anak – anak di dalamnya, serta kurang lebih 700 perawat yang tinggal bersama anak – anak tersebut. Dan program RBM-nya, Bhakti Luhur telah berkarya di 15 provinsi di Indonesia dengan 40 puremas (pusat rehabilitasi masyarakat), yang telah mengintervensi dan merehabilitasi lebih dari 5000 penyandang cacat. Sesuai dengan motonya, bahwa Bhakti Luhur dan program RBM akan terus menjangkau daerah yang belum terjangkau, supaya semakin hari, semakin banyak penyandang cacat yang dapat dibantu dan diinklusikan ke dalam setiap aspek kehidupan masyarakat.
Bantuan lain . . .
Romo Janssen dan Yayasan Bhakti Luhur tidak hanya bekerja untuk masalah kecacatan, namun juga banyak membantu meringankan korban bencana alam. Di Banda Aceh dan Nias pasca tsunami dan gempa bumi, serta korban banjir di Blitar dan Jember, dan juga korban gempa di Yogyakarta.
Kendati demikian, Romo Janssen yang merupakan figure dan sosok seorang Bapak bagi para penyandang cacat dan para penerusnya, tetap mengajarkan satu hal yang amat menyentuh di dalam menapaki hidup ini, “TETAP RENDAH HATI, RUKUN DAN SELALU GEMBIRA”. Dan itu modal yang tidak akan pernah habis untuk terus melanjutkan karya kemanusiaan yang mulia ini.
Pusat Rehabilitasi Penyandang Cacat
Adalah Jln.Galunggung no.3, Malang, yang semula dijadikan sebagai salah satu pusat Institut Pengembangan Masyarakat, akhirnya sekarang menjadi satu lingkungan dengan pusat pengembangan rehabilitasi penyandang cacat. Mula – mula hanya satu rumah, yaitu di Galunggung no.3, namun dengan perlahan tapi pasti, tempat ini berkembang menhadi lebih luas dan majemuk. Dengan luas tanah kurang lebih 2.5 hektar, kompleks ini telah berkembang menjadi pusat rehabilitasi bagi penyandang cacat. Semula hanya satu wisma, kini telah berkembang menjadi 20 wisma, bermacam persekolahan, bermacam unit terapi dan latihan kerja, serta training center.
Dengan begitu padanya aktivitas, Jln.Galunggung no.3 tidak lagi sesuai sebagai gerbang keluar masuknya rutinitas harian di kompleks ini. Maka, sekarang digunakanlah Jln.Raya Dieng sebagai gerbang utama, tepatnya Jln.Raya Dieng no.40, Malang.
Layanan Bhakti Luhur
- Wisma untuk anak – anak cacat yang miskin dan terlantar.
- Unit – unit terapi :
- Terapi Fisik
- Terapi Okupasi
- Terapi Wicara
- Terapi Integrasi Sensori
- Terapi Anak Tuna Grahita
- Terapi & Latihan Tuna Netra – Low Vision
- Terapi Tuna Ganda
- Terapi Anak Autis
- Terapi & Latihan Anak Cerebral Palsy
- Sekolah – sekolah ( pendidikan ) :
- SLB ( A, B, C, C1, Autis )
- SD Integrasi
- SMP Integrasi
- SMK / SMPS
- STPS
- Pusat Pengembangan Rehabilitasi Bersumber Daya Masyarakat :
- Training Petugas Lapangan RBM
- Training Spesialis
- Expertise Centrum
- Latihan Kerja (Vocational Training)
- Klinik Bimbingan & Konsultasi Psikologi
Bantuan kepada Bhakti Luhur
- Anak – anak yang mengalami kesulitan melihat ( buta atau low vision ) :
- Diagnosa
- Alat bantu melihat
- Pemeriksaan
- Operasi
- Anak – anak yang mengalami kesulitan mendengar ( tuli ) :
- Assessment pendengaran
- Alat bantu dengar
- Anak –anak yang mengalami kesulitan bergerak ( cacat fisik ) :
- Kursi roda
- Walker – Rotator
- Kruk dan tongkat
- Anak –anak yang cerebral palsy :
- Kursi atau tempat duduk adaptasi
- Latihan orang tua
- Obat jika diperlukan
- Anak –anak yang mengalami bibir sumbing dan celah langit :
- Operasi
- Penanganan Rehabilitasi lanjutan
- Anak –anak yang mengalami hydrocephalus dan meningokel :
- Operasi
- Perawatan
- Anak –anak yang mengalami kesulitan belajar ( tuna grahita ) :
- Latihan dan remedial teaching
- Alat belajar khusus
- Latihan orang tua
- Anak –anak yang mengalami epilepsi :
- Pemerikasaan
- Obata – obatan
- Monitoring dan after care
- Anak –anak yang mengalami TBC, malaria dan lepra :
- Obat – obatan jika belum menerima
- Monitoring dan after care
- Perawatan
- Anak atau orang dengan penyakit gondok :
- Diagnosa
- Tindakan medis jika dimungkinkan
Penghargaan
BHAKTI LUHUR sebagai yayasan yang memberikan pelayanan sosial telah lama bersoasialisasi dengan masyarakat Indonesia dan menghasilkan yang terbaik untuk mereka tanpa mengharapkan apapun dan dilakukan dengan keikhlasan hati.
Sampai saat ini, Bhakti Luhur berkembang menjadi salah satu yayasan sosial bagi penyandang cacat yang terbesar di Indonesia yang mempunyai lebih dari 400 wisma asrama yang tersebar di berbagai daerah di Indonesia, dengan lebih dari 2000 anak-anak di dalamnya, serta kurang lebih 700 perawat yang tinggal bersama anak-anak tersebut. Dan dengan program RBM-nya, Bhakti Luhur telah berkarya di 15 provinsi di Indonesia dengan 40 puremas (pusat rehabilitasi masyarakat), yang telah mengintervensi dan merehabilitasi lebih dari 5000 penyandang cacat. Sesuai dengan motonya, bahwa Bhakti Luhur dan program RBM akan terus menjangkau daerah yang belum terjangkau, supaya semakin hari, semakin banyak penyandang cacat yang dapat dibantu dan diinklusikan ke dalam setiap aspek kehidupan bermasyarakat.
Dari Hasil tersebut Pemerintah memberikan penghargaan TANDA KEHORMATAN SATYALENCANA KEBAKTIAN SOSIAL kepada Romo Jannsen yang diberikan langsung oleh Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudoyono Pada tahun 2006
Klik Disini untuk melihat Piagam Penghargaan
English
A HISTORY OF HUMANITY STRUGGLE
Paulus Hendrikus Janssen, or also known as Father Janssen was born on 29 January 1922 from father Paul Hubert and mother Maria Hellena Fillot, in a small town called Venlo, the Netherland. On May 11, 1951 Father Janssen arrived in Surabaya as a priest who assumed the duties as a Catholic missionary who then met with the Bishop of Surabaya. The Bishop offered him to stay in Kediri, East Java.
History in Kediri
On May 5, 1951 Father Janssen arrived in Kediri region, in a small village called Puhsarang, which is located approximately 15km from Kediri city. This is where Father Janssen started to work, not just as a missionary, but also towards a social mission and vision. Considering that the Java language is the key to work with local communities, he began to learn the Java language from his predecessor and that the surrounding community, he then can communicate fluently using the Java language on many levels.
The society conditions in the villages where Father Janssen worked were so poor, problems such as health issues, poverty and disability was everywhere. The call for social works was growing stronger in Father Janssen mind, especially when he was traveling the nearby villages such as, Gringging, Kalinanas and Kalibago. So many people having TBC and Frambosia (ulceration) disease. More than that there are quite a lot of children with disabilities who are very poor and the neglected.
For those chronically ill ones, Father Janssen should take return trip between Kediri – Surabaya to get drugs. Fortunately that in Surabaya he met doctor Parijs, who worked in Surabaya Hospital. Through him, Father Janssen learned how to treat the frambosia disease with penicillin. So he went around to meet the patients at their home, although he is only cycling.
Each day, there were more and more needs for a helping hand. One day, a friend gave him a motorcycle, although it was an old bike but still can be used. Things like this is what became one of his ability to mobilize local resources that become the embryo of his main works which is to rehabilitate people with disabilities with the CBR approach (Community Based Rehabilitation).
Father Janssen in Kediri
(left) Directly interacting with the poor with no hesitation. (Right) The beginning of pioneered education, with the children and as it is.
Not only the abovementioned work. Father Janssen also started pioneering schools starting from Montessori Kindergarten, Don Bosco Elementary and Junior High School. He believed that the social issues and disability problem actually rooted form the poor education. Therefore, the prefect solution is through education and training. But the he faced another problem, it was so hard to find teacher resources at that time. He then developed a networking system. He went to Yogyakarta to look for some helps. Soon, there were volunteer teachers willing to teach in Kindergarten, Elementary and Junior High School. Some volunteer also came from Muntilan.
But because the teachers were often lack of adequate skills, he then established B1 Teacher Course in Kediri. At then same time he also started Guidance and Counseling Course, the first class – beginning with the only 5 participants, and then 12 participants in the second year. He even started the exchange B1 teachers between the Kediri, Surabaya and Yogyakarta.
(Left) The volunteer teachers in B1 Teacher Course. Some of them stay loyal serving the poor ones until now.
(Right) School for the poor children. The study process went on even only in the yard.
With all these activities, it does not mean Father Janssen attention to those disable and poor children is reduced but on the contrary, he began to establish a kind of dormitory for boys and girls similar to an orphanage and even a health clinic providing guidance and counseling the disable and poor, neglected, sick people. Those who are not feasible if left at their home, but also cannot afford the hospital bills.
In several areas in Kediri the social effort that Father Janssen has pioneered went on. But the more important thing is that the local society has started to run better with the community development program that he pioneered.
Kediri now
What Father Janssen has pioneered in the small villages around Kediri continues to grow up to now. The school that he has opened such as Don Bosco Kindergarten, Elementary and Junior High School remains open up to now.
While for the rehabilitation efforts, also continues up to now. Such as Bhakti Luhur Orphanage in Kalibago which now function more as Society Rehabilitation Centre with several disable children living in. Rehabilitation efforts also grow quickly through the CBR program. In this program, the local community actively involves in rehabilitation efforts, not limited by the building capacity. Plenty of local youngsters have been trained to run the CBR program, so the sustainability of this effort can be guaranteed from time to time
Father Janssen in Madiun
Father Janssen earning a visit from the Mayor of Madiun and his staff in Bhakti Luhur Foundation, which is just founded.
In July 1959 Father Janssen moved to Jalan A Yani No.17, Madiun. This move was requested by his supervisor in Surabaya for the purpose of opening a university in Madiun (Widya Mandala University). Another reason for his move is to take a position in the middle of Yogyakarta and Surabaya, considering the importance of these 2 cities to build a bigger works. The B1 Course pioneered in Kediri, also pioneered in Madiun and growing. This B1 Course is a precursor of Higher Education Teacher Education (PTPG) which later became the Teacher Training and Education (now the University of Widya Mandala Madiun).
On 5 August 1959 he established Bhakti Luhur Foundation in Madiun as a media for various social activities carried out together with local communities, in order to have a clear legal position.
The following years was filled with social activities and of course also his duty as a missionary. In 1963, there was a famine which began around Ponorogo, Father Janssen requires many hands to help his work. On 8 September 1963, he founded Bhakti Luhur Nurses Association, which originally only consisted of seven nurses. But they directly helped the society from a great famine (rat plague) that occurred in the region Slahung and Ponorogo. Many people suffered due to lack food, beri – beri disease, a very sad famine. Too many died because of the disaster in the years 1963 to 1965. Until now these nurses become the founder that runs Bhakti Luhur Foundation.
The women who join the ALMA are working to assist communities in SlahungPonorogo who experienced severe outbreaks of famine between 1963 – 1965. Until ALMA become the owner and operator of Bhakti Luhur Foundation
The work of Father Janssen in Madiun continued to expand both in education and social. In this city, he also established Community Development School (which during their practice helps a lot with the social work, such as, helping to handle disable children and also helps during the outbreak of famine in Ponorogo), Don Bosco Elementary School and St. Louis Junior High School, and Bhakti Luhur School for the disable run by Bhakti Luhur nurses. For disable children, who are pretty severe, and or who do not have families, were nurtured and rehabilitated at the dorm in Jalan A Yani No.17.
Each day, the need for professional resources kept increasing. The required professionals are teachers, doctors, physiotherapists, and other therapists for treatment and guidance of children with disabilities. It seems quite difficult to find these professionals in Madiun and its surrounding areas, and then he decided to move and at the same time expand their social work to Malang. The work in Kediri and Madiun keep running with local resources that had been nurtured and educated. And regularly he still pays attention and visits the social works and other works that he has established.
Father Janssen in Malang
May 1967 Father Janssen moved to Malang, originally contracted a house on Jln.Tapaksiring I, Samaan. But because there are many children with disabilities who need shelter and treatment, then on August 26, 1967 he moved the dorm for children with disabilities to Jln.Dempo no.14, Malang. From here the development of Bhakti Luhur under the care of Father Janssen continues to grow, more and more children with disabilities who must be helped and treated from around Malang
Prof. Dr. Paul Janssen, The Dean of Institute of Social Development posed with the Institute staff and course participant from East Java, Jakarta and Yogyakarta Social Ministry.
In Jln. Oro-Oro Dowo, Malang in 1969 Father Janssen founded the Institute of Social Development (ISD). Originally ISD conducted rehabilitation courses, both social rehabilitation as well as specific to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Because this course is practical, the ISD received attention from foreign NGOs from Germany and the Netherlands. Not only there, UNICEF and UNDP are also interested in the courses organized by the ISD. And through the initiative of these two UN agencies, cooperation established between the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the ISD. Many local and international NGOs helped.
The period 1962 – 1972 was a busy period for Father Janssen, especially because cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs. A form of the cooperation is that the ISD became the course organizer for the Village Social Institutions (VSI) in the form of Training for Trainers. The course was a course of community development, including animal farming and agriculture. ISD activities not only focused on Oro-Oro Dowo location, but also extend to Jln. Galunggung 3, Malang. In the ISD, Father Janssen has also written a book of community development that is 10 Methods of Social Work. With this method, many rural communities assisted through the work program of VSI who had received training from ISD. And in this period also Father Janssen was appointed Professor of IKIP Malang.
VSI – VCRI
Unfortunately at the end of 1972 there is a policy from the central government, that VSI is no longer under the Ministry of Social Affairs but will be included in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which later renamed to the Village Community Resilience Institute (VCRI). With this event ISD no longer provides training to VSI, but only towards the specific training for social rehabilitation of disabled persons in general. The following years, ISD can no longer serve much for the society, then Father Janssen started to establish Social Worker Middle School (SWMS).
Never Gave Up
Giving up never crossed Father Janssen’s mind, although due to the incident, many experts from UNICEF and UNDP as well as from Germany and the Netherlands had to go home to leave Indonesia, which also means having to leave the projects. But that does not mean all that has been fought in the Community Development Institute doesn’t get any results. Instead VSIs which has learned through Training of Trainers, spread the knowledge and expertise in each area. There are many things that can be learned and applied in community development.
Each event must carry certain meanings. Similarly, the transformation of VSI to VCRI also brings great wisdom. And it became the starting point for Father Janssen to pay full attention to the poor, and abandoned disables.
Memories from ISD
Token of memories given by the VSI founder who was also Training for Trainers participants
Full attention to the disables
Each day, the number of children with disabilities who were cared by Father Janssen in Bhakti Luhur Foundation kept growing. The concept that disabled people should live in the community, has led to a form of implementation of the homesteads for people with disabilities in society. The common condition is that people with disabilities are abandoned or even used as a commodity by the irresponsible parties. Therefore, homesteads for the disabled became an absolute necessity, it is also a medium for community education and awareness, that all around them there are ‘disability’ and special needs people.
Father Janssen and Bhakti Luhur
Any disable child is his child.
Around 1975, more and more people with disabilities of various kinds of disabilities received in the Bhakti Luhur Foundation. Apparently the nurses Bhakti Luhur already established and growing can not offset the number of people with disabilities who discovered and nurtured in the dormitory. In 1979 Social Worker Middle School (SWMS) which has began several years earlier that specifically pay attention to serve children with disabilities and special needs were started to get recognition. On 29 September 1981, it is officially recognized by the Department of Education and Culture. And with the stronger position this SWMS, the existence children with disabilities in the dormitory communities become more secure. And so on, day after day Bhakti Luhur Foundation continues to grow. Almost all types of disabilities were welcome here. In 1987, Father Janssen not only focused in institutional approach (through dormitory and school), but also active in Primary Heath Care (PHC) efforts, such as in Donomulyo District, South Malang, also in a village in Mojorejo, Blitar. For the PHC program, he cooperates with health centers and local health office. Two years later, on 27 September 1989, Father Janssen legally becomes an Indonesian citizen.
Community Based Rehabilitation
Tired, but still excited to develop Community Based rehabilitation in Nangapinoh
Starting 1992, the PHC is expanded towards Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), which focuses on both physical disability problems or a combination of physical and mental disabilities. CBR, a program of the WHO, is one of the best programs to address disability issues by empowering local communities. However, applying the concept of CBR is not that simple, it requires trained personnel, to motivate and provide real example for local people to realize the importance rehabilitation. It required training for local residents in order to run a rehabilitation program for persons with disabilities. Then in 1994 se started the project for Field Officer Course of CBR, which can be realized in September 1995.
Rehabilitation Worker Course
In the beginning, this program was run in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta Community Based Rehabilitation Development Centre, but in the following years, Bhakti Luhur organizes their own training under the Community Based Rehabilitation Development Centre (CBRDC) Bhakti Luhur Foundation.
Many young people who come from various corners of the country come to attend this training program. Such as from NTT, Maluku, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, even of Papua, They are young boys and girls, who have graduated from high school) and have committed to run a rehabilitation program in their region. In this CBRDC program, the Social Service of the few provinces also send their staff to undertake training in Bhakti Luhur, such as the Social Service of Jakarta, Social Service of Kupang, South Sulawesi province CBR, as well as various NGOs in many provinces followed this training program.
Bhakti Luhur in Indonesia
Until now, Bhakti Luhur has developed into one of the biggest social foundation for the disabled in Indonesia, which has 400 dormitories scattered in various regions in Indonesia with more than 2000 children in it, as well as about 700 nurses who stay with those children. And through its CBR program, Bhakti Luhur has worked in 15 provinces in Indonesia with 40 community rehabilitation centers, which had intervened and rehabilitated more than 5,000 people with disabilities. In accordance with the motto, that Bhakti Luhur and CBR program will continue to reach the unreached areas, so each day, more and more people with disabilities who can be helped and included into every aspect of community life.
Other Helps . . .
Father Janssen and Bhakti Luhur Foundation not only work for the disability problems. But also helps the victim of natural disasters. In Banda Aceh and Nias, after the tsunami and earthquake, and flood victims in Blitar and Jember, and also victims of the earthquake in Yogyakarta.
Nevertheless, Father Janssen who is a Father figure and the figure for persons with disabilities and their successors, still teaches one thing that is very touching in the tread life, “STAY HUMBLE, UNITED AND ALWAYS HAPPY.” And that capital will never run out to continue this noble humanitarian work.
Disable Rehabilitation Centre
The house on Jln. Galunggung 3, Malang was originally used as one of the central for Institute for Community Development, now finally become a center for rehabilitation of the disable. At first only one house, but slowly but surely, this place is growing wider. With a land area of approximately 2.5 acres, this complex has developed into a rehabilitation center for the disabled. Originally only one homestead has now grown to 20 homesteads, various schools, various units of therapy and job training, and training centers.
With so many activities, the gate at Jln. Galunggung no longer suitable as a daily routine entry and exit gates in this complex. So, now Jln. Raya Dieng is used as the main gate, to be exact, on Jln. Raya Dieng No.40, Malang.
Bhakti Luhur Services
- Dormitory for poor and abandoned disable children.
- Therapy Units :
- Physical Therapy
- Occupancy Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Sensoric Integration Therapy
- Mentally Disabled Children Therapy
- Blindness Therapy & Training – Low Vision
- Double Disability Therapy
- Autism Children Therapy
- Cerebral Palsy Children Therapy & Training
- Schools ( education ) :
- SMK / SMPS
- STPS
- Community Based Rehabilitation Centre :
- Training for Community Based Rehabilitation Field Officer
- Specialist Training
- Expertise Centrum
- Vocational Training
- Psychology Counseling & Consultation Clinic
-
- School for the Disable (A, B, C, C1, Autism)
- Integrated Elementary School
- Integrated Junior High School
Help to Bhakti Luhur
Blind or low vision children :
- Diagnose
- Vision Aids
- Vision Check Up
- Surgery
Deaf children :
- Hearing Assessment
- Hearing Aids
Children with physical disability :
- Wheelchair
- Walker – Rotator
- Kruk and tongkat
Cerebral palsy children:
- Adapted chair or seat
- Parental training
- Medicine if required
Cleft lips children :
- Surgery
- Further rehabilitation
Hydrocephalus and meningokel :
- Surgery
- Treatment
Children who experience learning difficulties (mentally disabled) :
- Remedial teaching and training
- Special study aids
- Parental training
Children who have epilepsy:
- Check up
- Medicine
- Monitoring and after care
Tuberculosis, malaria and leproxy children :
- Medicine
- Monitoring and after care
- Nursing treatment
Children or people with thyroid disease :
- Diagnose
- Medical treatment if possible
Award
BHAKTI LUHUR as a foundation that provides social services have long socialized with the Indonesian society and give their best without expecting anything in return and it is all done with a sincere heart.
Until now, Bhakti Luhur has developed into one of the biggest social foundation for the disabled in Indonesia, which has 400 dormitories scattered in various regions in Indonesia with more than 2000 children in it, as well as about 700 nurses who stay with those children. And through its CBR program, Bhakti Luhur has worked in 15 provinces in Indonesia with 40 community rehabilitation centers, which had intervened and rehabilitated more than 5,000 people with disabilities. In accordance with the motto, that Bhakti Luhur and CBR program will continue to reach the unreached areas, so each day, more and more people with disabilities who can be helped and included into every aspect of community life.
Out of these achievements, the Government of Indonesia awarded Father Jannsen SOCIAL SEVICE HONOUR BADGE, which was awarded directly by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2006