Competency Training held by Djarum Foundation Partner LKSA Caregiver: "Membentuk Generasi Tangguh"

Djarum Foundation Social Service held a Competency Training for Caregivers of LKSA, Djarum Foundation Partners, on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Wisma Ploso, Kudus. This one-day training was attended by 36 LKSA caregivers who had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with Djarum Foundation in the Bestari Program, which aims to equip LKSA caregivers with better skills in educating their foster children at LKSA.

A month before the training, Djarum Foundation also conducted an assessment of the LKSA caregivers and foster children to evaluate the caregiving methods, identify the necessary competencies, and address issues faced during mentoring. This assessment helped design training materials that suited the caregivers' needs.

“The assessment results showed that caregivers must start adapting their caregiving and mentoring methods, as most of the foster children belong to Generation Z and Alpha. I believe this adaptation process can be done gradually, step by step, but in a measured and certain manner,” explained Achmad Budiharto, Deputy Program Director of Djarum Foundation Social Service. “Therefore, we need to enhance skills on how to mentor foster children so that they become independent and resilient individuals, ready to face the increasingly complex and fast-changing challenges of the times,” he added.

This competency training focused on three main caregiving skill priorities: first, understanding the role of the caregiver; second, effective parenting skills; and third, how caregivers can communicate, coordinate, and collaborate, both with fellow caregivers and with foster children.

The training speaker, Anggi V. Goenadi, Founder of Inkubator Bisnis Permata Bunda and Master Trainer of BNSP RI, led two sessions: the first titled "Understanding and Strengthening the Role of LKSA Caregivers," and the second titled "Interpersonal Communication and Empathetic Parenting." “Becoming an LKSA caregiver is a calling of the heart. Intention alone is not enough; caregivers must improve their competencies and skills to fulfill the responsibilities and challenges they face. Every era has different challenges, but with adequate competencies and skills, caregivers are expected to raise a resilient generation in the future,” said the winner of the Maarif Award from Metro TV in 2022 and the recipient of the Indonesian SDGs Award in 2017 & 2018.

Also present as a speaker was Alissa Wahid, a Family Psychologist, who presented material titled "Developmental Psychology-Based Parenting Methods." "Children and adolescents are never the source of problems; if a child is involved in a problem, the source comes from the responsible adults around them. This highlights the significant role of caregivers in child development, especially in shaping character and life skills. They influence how children see the world and manage relationships throughout their lives. Moreover, LKSA foster children require extra attention due to their unique circumstances, and their care must be handled with special consideration," she explained.

The caregivers were impressed with the training, which not only provided material explanations but also practiced caregiving techniques in daily situations through role plays, games, and group discussions. “This training gave me many new insights and skills that I can directly apply in my role as a caregiver. Now I feel more confident in performing my duties because I have been equipped with better skills to face various challenges,” said Rian, a caregiver at LKSA Tunas Muria, Kudus.

Similarly, Syafa'ah, a caregiver at LKSA Darul Hadlonah in Rembang, found the communication training very useful for her. "The first step I will take is to implement more effective communication techniques with both the children and my colleagues, listening more to the children to better understand their needs. I want to ensure that every child receives the attention they need to grow according to their potential," she explained.

Furthermore, Achmad Budiharto explained that after the training, the results would be closely monitored over the next three months to see if the caregivers could implement the knowledge and skills gained in their respective LKSAs. "The second phase of caregiver competency training will be held again, based on the progress and needs observed, as well as feedback from the caregivers," he concluded. (*)