Supporting and encouraging the growth of local Indonesian communities is a cause held in high regard by RGE founder and Chairman, Sukanto Tanoto, and with the support of the Tanoto Foundation, small communities throughout Indonesia have been able to benefit and establish themselves for a brighter future.
The Misi Kami Peduli (MKP) project, also known as Mission We Care, embarked on a community service expedition recently to the rural village of Desa Tambakrejo in East Java. This outing was organized by students at the National University of Singapore, supported by the Tanoto Foundation.
The MKP team at the Desa Tambakrejo village mission.
A first-hand volunteer experience at Desa Tambakrejo
Steven Nilam is an Indonesian student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial & Systems Engineering at the National University of Singapore. Steven was a valuable team member of the MKP expedition to the rural village in East Java, and is a great supporter of the work of Mr. Tanoto’s foundation.
He had this to say about his highly-productive time spent in the village of Desa Tambakrejo:
‘It was a fulfilling journey for me and my team as we had the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the people of Desa Tambakrejo, make positive social impact to the community, and also to share good practices in environmental awareness.
Some of the projects the MKP team worked on during their time included:
‘…a 400-meter long road and initiated the program “Setapak Jejak Untuk Konservasi” (“A Step towards Conservation”). This program aimed to improve the eco-tourism experience in the Tiga Warna region. Another meaningful project was installing a solar-powered cooker to encourage local residents to embrace greener technology.’
But some of Steven’s most treasured experiences during his trip included his interaction with the many children of the village, whose lives the Tanoto Foundation aims to enhance through these volunteer expeditions:
‘The children were boisterous in their welcome. I especially enjoyed playing games with them and facilitating creative activities for them. Their passion to learn, despite the limited resources they have, was heartening.’
Reflections on the MKP expedition supported by the Tanoto Foundation
‘My main takeaway from this trip is that it was a learning opportunity for both parties. Our team imparted what we learnt to the children, skills to the community, while the villagers taught us the appreciation for simpler things in life.’
Steven, along with his MKP team mates expressed their gratitude to the Tanoto Foundation and its founder, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto for the support of the project and unwavering commitment to the betterment of local Indonesian’s lives. For more heart-warming stories on the Tanoto Foundation, follow Mr. Tanoto himself on: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or LinkedIn