Motivated to help out the local community best as possible, Tanoto Scholars have once again proven that they are able to organize a large and significant event with very little help, and that they can have fun in the process.
With the help of Indonesia Red Cross workers, they have set up booths for providing fellow students and community members with health check-ups free of charge and the opportunity to give blood. The only requirement was that each blood donor or patient donate one reading book as well.
An Impressive Initiative
From May 21 to May 24 2015, Tanoto Scholars have organized blood donations and free health check-ups at the University of Mulawaran in Samarinda. Two separate booths were set up where people could go to, either to have their blood pressure and cholesterol measured or to donate blood.
All services were provided free of charge, and, for the Tanoto Scholars, the main reward was the pride and sense of responsibility they have felt after having helped out their local communities. An impressive amount of blood was also donated to the Indonesia Red Cross, whose stocks will likely help save many lives in the near future.
Community Response
The visitors’ response was very positive, and even more people showed up than the Scholars have at first estimated. Aside from students wanting to make blood donations, many members of the local community have also appeared, happy that they can get a free health check-up without much fuss and without having to travel too far.
The Tanoto Foundation and, more recently, many Tanoto Scholars as well, have contributed a great deal to assisting their community, particularly in the areas of health and education, where Indonesia still has a lot of ground to cover before it can be said that the country’s population is truly supported at least regarding the most basic considerations.