The Mitra Netra

THE MITRANETRA FOUNDATION

The Mitra netra Foundation is an institution in the field of education and development of the visually impaired, which was established on May 14 1991 in Jakarta. This Foundation engages and operates independently, for it has no affiliation with any social, political and religion organization.

The background of the establishment of this foundation are :

1. There is no equal opportunity and treatment for the visually impaired in the field of education and employment,
2. The necessary facilities and services in the field of education and employment are not available properly for the visually impaired

As an institution whose field of endeavor is the blindness, to carry out its activities, the foundation follows the partnership approach : partnership between the visually impaired and their sighted friends, and partnership between the foundation and other institution in order to create synergy. This is indicated in the structure of the foundation, which contents of the visually impaired as well as the sighted persons. As an institution, The Mitra Netra Foundation as an implementing agent, which always cooperates to donor agents.

It is hoped that the Foundation, consisting of both the visually impaired and the sighted, will be able to create a condition of togetherness between visually impaired and sighted persons. The help and the sight of each and every person is of great significance to the visually impaired, as, for example, assistance given by volunteer readers, companions, typists, and many other forms of involvement.

It is our fervent desire that many components of society, institutions as well as individuals will, in the spirit of fellowship, show an interest in the visually impaired and play a role in trying to deal with their problems in accordance with their respective duties and responsibilities.

All the members of the management of the Foundation as well as employees and clients wish to take this opportunity to express their gratitude and appreciation to all those who have shown an interest in and concern for the visually impaired and have participated in activities involving them.

In conclusion, all the members of the Mitra Netra Foundation invite all components of society to help to improve our programs for the advancement of the visually impaired in Indonesia.
VISION, MISION, FUNCTION

A. Vision

Our goal is the realization of the independence and restoration of the function of the blind in society by means of proper rehabilitation, and the widest possible opportunities for education and training as well as employment, with the provision of the necessary facilities and services.

B. Mission

Our mission is to reduce the impact of blindness through rehabilitation, to improve the potential of the blind, and to open up employment opportunities for them, by means of education and training as well as by ensuring that they receive equal opportunities through appropriate treatment.

C. Function

The function of the Foundation is as follows:

1. To support the mental rehabilitation of the blind by providing peer counseling service for them;
2. To support education for the blind, especially in a system of integrated education;
3. To develop the potential of the blind and to open up work opportunities for them;
4. To develop methods of, dealing with the problems of the blind and providing services for them;
5. To develop special aids and equipment for the blind.

COOPERATION

In carrying out its programs, the Foundation follows the partnership approach: partnership between the visually impaired and their sighted friends, and partnership between the Foundation and other institutions in order to create "synergy". Moreover, as a foundation Mitra Netra functions as an implementing agent, whose duty it is to set up a program, carry it out, and evaluate it. For this purpose, the Foundation always cooperates with a donor agent which provides financial support, as well as other institutions, in order to implement its programs.

From the time of its founding, up to, the present time, the Mitra Netra Foundation has worked together with a number of components of society, Indonesian as well as foreign. Their willingness to cooperate with us reflects their confidence, and this confidence is the fruit of our seriousness in carrying out our programs and services for the visually impaired. The names of the organizations that have worked with us can be found in the attachment to this booklet