On 7 January 2010, the Indonesian Province officially established a social institution called the Petrus Donders Foundation. This name is directly linked to Blessed Peter Donders, a Redemptorist who devoted his life to caring for lepers in Suriname. His total dedication to his fellow human beings—especially the poorest, the oppressed, and the forgotten—forms the foundation of all activities developed by this organisation. In the spirit of Blessed Peter Donders, this foundation seeks to love everyone, particularly those who are poor, oppressed, and forgotten in society.
The Petrus Donders Foundation
In response to various social problems on the island of Sumba, the Redemptorists aim to form a service community that will have a direct impact in the areas of justice, welfare, and peace. To this end, the Donders Foundation was established 15 years ago as a social institution that seeks to help the population in many ways. The main objective of this Redemptorist foundation is to ensure that the poor and neglected can exercise their rights and develop their talents in agriculture, education, economics, the environment, and culture. The Redemptorists strive to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities in all these areas of life.
This pastoral care in the social sphere is inspired by the life of Blessed Peter Donders. His dedication to those enslaved and afflicted by leprosy in Suriname is not only well-known in the Netherlands and Suriname but also inspires the Redemptorists in our country to devote themselves to people who have been “forgotten” by society. That is why we have chosen the name and spirituality of Peter Donders. We firmly believe that every human being is created in the image of God, and therefore the dignity of every person must be respected. It is a significant choice to stand alongside those who suffer and are abandoned through all the services provided by this foundation.
Loving, caring and growing together
The services offered by the Donders Foundation are based on humanity. This means that human life must be valued as highly as possible. That is why we prioritize the principles of “loving,” “caring,” and “growing together.” All activities stem from our mission to love everyone, care for one another and for life, and learn from each other in order to progress and grow together.
Our key Areas of Focus are:
- In the field of education, we strive to ensure that all children from poor families receive priority access to quality education.
- From an economic perspective, we encourage resilience among young people by supporting them to become better farmers through the adoption of modern agricultural techniques.
- From a cultural perspective, we advocate for women to play a strategic role in determining their own lives. We also help to obtain justice for women who are victims of domestic violence.
- We provide for children born out of wedlock who do not receive adequate care.
- We pay close attention to Sumbanese women who fall victim to human trafficking; they are often “lured” away from Sumba with promises of attractive, well-paying jobs, only to be trafficked outside Sumba and even beyond Indonesia.
Through the Donders Foundation, we address a wide range of social issues —from school fees for the poor to land ownership disputes—and much more. This overview reflects the spirit of Peter Donders, whose legacy continues to guide the foundation’s work.
Our goal is clear: to ensure that every person feels loved and appreciated. Through the foundation’s efforts, tears are turned to laughter, and darkness gives way to light.
Fr. Ricky Misi, C.Ss.R.
More information about Donders Foundation one can find on its website
Blessed Peter Donders, C.Ss.R. (October 27, 1809 – January 14, 1887) was a Dutch Redemptorist missionary known for his dedication to serving the poor, enslaved people, and lepers in Suriname (then Dutch Guiana). His compassionate work, especially among lepers, earned him widespread admiration and the title “Apostle of the Lepers.”
Blessed Peter Donders embodied the Redemptorist charism of bringing hope to the abandoned. His life reflects the values of compassion, humility, and solidarity with the poor. Many organizations, including the Petrus Donders Foundation in Indonesia, draw inspiration from his example to serve marginalized communities today.
Prayer leaflets and Booklets about Blessed Peter Donders in diverse lenguages available here.
