Philanthropy support to promote education in Indonesia is actually promising. However, philanthropic resources for education, both in terms of budgets and programs, should focus and collaborate with each other in order to bring a major impact on change.

The discussion came forth at the launching of the guide for education sector philanthropy activists in Indonesia initiated by the Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC). This guide has been developed based on a study supported by McKinsey & Company and AlphaBeta under the title of Productive Livelihood Catalysis: Educational Intervention Guidelines Through the Accelerated Track for Large-Scale and Maximum Impact.

President Director of McKinsey & Company Indonesia, Philia Wibowo, said that in order for education philanthropy to have an impact on better education changes in preparing the nation’s productive young generation, there are four areas that need to be focused on. These areas are teacher quality, teacher leadership and school governance, vocational education, as well as early childhood education and development.

According to Philia, the educational philanthropy guide on these four areas is reviewed based on a survey of 30 experts, 49 educational philanthropic actors, as well as 50 people from educational non-governmental foundations and organizations. “The good intention to improve education is extremely great. However, this educational philanthropy ranges only 2-5 percent of the government’s education budget. Therefore, in order for educational philanthropy to have an impact and to be able to be expanded to create a productive society, philanthropy activists need a guide so that the results are maximized, “said Philia.

Belinda Tanoto, a member of the APC as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of Tanoto Foundation, said the number of educational philanthropists has increased, but each works separately from one another. For this reason, the APC will establish a platform that will enable each one to synergize and do networking in order to be more focused and learn from each other.

In the guide launched by the APC, there are also 10 recommended initiatives that educational philanthropists may undertake to help complete the four focuses of education issues. In regard teacher quality, they can hold champion teacher program, use technology in teacher learning rooms, and activate teacher mentoring forum. A pilot school program, a principal academy, and an Indonesian teacher award program may also be undertaken in an effort to improve school leadership and governance.

To support vocational education, a training camp program in the industries can be established. As for the support of early childhood education, a program may be established in regard super cadres and village adoption.

Tanoto Foundation, which started its activities in 1981, has carried out various trainings for teachers in rural areas to improve their competence and capacity. To date more than 5,100 teachers have benefited from the trainings provided by Tanoto Foundation.

Edited from an article published in Harian Kompas, December 6, 2017, “Philanthropy Is Encouraged To Collaborate”.

Clean water is a basic need that must be provided in the community. Considering the importance of clean water, Tanoto Foundation scholarship recipients, who are members of Tanoto Scholars Association of Mulawarman University in Samarinda take the initiative to help the people of Desa Muang Dalam RT 34, Lempake.

Desa Muang is a village facilitated by Mulawarman TSA, which is far from the center of Samarinda city. “All this time, the people have always used tap water,” said Bapak Ismanu, Head of RT (Neighborhood Group) 34, Desa Muang Dalam.

The water that is yellow, dirty, and smelly has caused the Tanoto Scholars to help create a solution with simple water filters. This activity receives enthusiastic response from the residents. With this solution, the residents have hope and opportunity to gain a better living quality.

The water filters are provided free of charge to approximately 20 family heads, and are also installed at places of worship and posyandu (family planning and health service center) located in the village. In addition, the Tanoto Scholars share information on how to make the water filter. It is hoped that the community can be self-supporting in assembling or maintaining the equipments, and as such when there are problems, the people will be able to correct them.

The construction of the equipment is very easy and cheap. One equipment is estimated to cost Rp100,000. By using simple water filters, the people are already able to create a solution to a problem they have experienced all this time.

“Insha Allah (Lord willing), the equipment is very useful, because it can be directly used by the residents”, said Mr. Ismanu in his closing remark.

Implementing the knowledge gained from university studies is one of the reasons why Tanoto Scholars organize this work program. In addition, the Scholars realize that a good work program is a work program that starts from the community itself.

Thanks to Tanoto Foundation for giving better living quality to the community of RT 34 Desa muang Dalam, Samarinda, and giving an opportunity to Tanoto Scholars to realize their dream and share with the surrounding community.

Written by Magdalena Maristia, Tanoto Scholar from Mulawarman University of Samarinda.

A total of 250 Tanoto Scholars from 21 universities across Indonesia participated in the Tanoto Scholars Gathering (TSG) 2017 event this year.

Carrying the theme of “Learn and Lead”, the four-day event took place from November 22 to 25 at the Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) Complex in Pangkalan Kerinci, Sumatra.

Present to officiate the opening ceremony of TSG 2017 was Tanoto Foundation Board of Trustees member Anderson Tanoto.

Echoing values imparted on him by RGE Founder and Chairman Sukanto Tanoto, Anderson encouraged the scholars to embrace lifelong learning, to learn how to “lead oneself before leading others” and to always care for the community, in the manner of “paying it forward”.

He urged the TSG 2017 participants to make use of the opportunities to improve their soft skills, teamwork and leadership skills, as well as to network and learn from each other.

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Among this year’s list of inspirational speakers at TSG 2017 was Rio Haryanto, Indonesia’s first Formula One driver.

Rio spoke about the significance of discipline, determination and dedication in the pursuit success, as well as the importance of self-preparation in boosting one’s confidence and ability to prove oneself.

Rio lauded Tanoto Foundation’s constant efforts to contribute towards supporting the development of youth.

“There are a lot of youth who are not able to chase their dreams or pursue their education at the university level.

“I believe Tanoto Scholars are in very good hands. I think they have the possibility to make their dreams come true – maybe even put their name on the world map – through Tanoto Foundation,” Rio said.

The TSG 2017 participants also heard from Editor-in-Chief at Bisnis Indonesia Hery Trianto about the ongoing Indonesian media and journalism landscape.

“I believe that millennials possess good intelligence and creativity. If this is supported with persistence, they will be able to achieve success,” Hery said.

The participants also attended various talks by Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Director Kuswiyoto, RAPP Operations Planner Indra Gunawan, RGE Human Resources Department Head Fonny Lomanorek and Head of Tanoto Foundation Executive Board Sihol Aritonang.

As part of the four-day program, the scholars also visited SDN Buatan Baru, where they engaged in community service involving tree-planting and biopori making activities. They also received soft skill training in the areas of public speaking and social media, and participated in art performances as well as a photo contest.