In Indonesia, private orphanages like Mutiara Mulia in Medan have turned to TikTok livestreaming as a means of soliciting donations. Each night, staff members of Mutiara Mulia stream the sleeping children, garnering up to 2,000 viewers and raising about $165 through digital gifts and direct bank transfers.
Mutiara Mulia, established in 2019 and reliant solely on public donations, has found TikTok to be a vital source of income. The orphanage, however, does not receive government subsidies and is part of the numerous private orphanages across Indonesia.
TikTok, with over 106 million users in Indonesia, has become a popular platform for fundraising, particularly for vulnerable groups. However, this trend has raised ethical concerns, especially following viral videos of elderly individuals begging in water and mud.
At Mutiara Mulia, Mika Ndruru and 18-year-old Sahabat Laia lead the nightly livestreams. While some viewers support their efforts, others accuse them of exploiting the children for financial gain. Questions are also raised about the government’s role in caring for these children.
The majority of children at Mutiara Mulia come from Nias, an island with economic challenges and limited access to government services. Lawyer Niswan Harefa from Medan highlights the social problems in Nias and parents’ lack of knowledge about government assistance.
Indonesia has a significant number of children in residential care, primarily in private, often faith-based, orphanages. According to a 2007 Save the Children report, around half a million Indonesian children live in about 8,000 orphanages. Malahayati, a human rights lawyer at LPAI, notes that private orphanages are legally allowed to solicit open donations as the children are not working for the money.
Mutiara Mulia’s TikTok account has faced suspensions due to community guideline violations, including livestreams featuring children inappropriately dressed. The orphanage maintains that all funds raised are used for the children’s welfare and denies exploitation. TikTok permits orphanage livestreams as long as they adhere to community guidelines against the exploitation and abuse of minors.
The orphanage plans to register with the government for subsidies but faces bureaucratic hurdles. In the meantime, livestreaming remains their primary fundraising method. Ndruru states, “Lots of people support us and, without any regular donations to rely on, what else are we supposed to do?
Get comprehensive supply chain report news updates at The Supply Chain Report. For international trade tools, see ADAMftd.com.
#MutiaraMulia #OrphanageFundraising #TikTokLivestreaming #IndonesiaCharity #DigitalGiftsForGood #ChildWelfare #PrivateOrphanages #TikTokDonations #FundraisingForOrphans #SocialMediaFundraising #IndonesiaOrphanages #TikTokCharity #HumanRightsIndonesia #MutiaraMuliaOrphanage #SocialMediaEthics #VulnerableChildren #NonProfitFundraising #SupportOrphans #CharityLivestream #GovernmentSubsidyChallenges #TikTokCommunityGuidelines #SaveTheChildrenIndonesia #NiasOrphanages
