Rusman Effendi is an oil palm smallholder farmer from Pelalawan, Riau.  The results of oil palm harvests from his farm are the only source of income for his family. Because of that, it always has been Rusman’s focus to increase the farm’s harvests results so his income also improves..

As part of Tanoto Foundation’s oil palm smallholders empowerment activity, the organization also  provides supports for farmers like Rusman. Through various mentoring and coaching activities, now Rusman can feel the positive changes.

“In the past, I had to travel a long distance to sell the oil. Sometimes the fruits became rotten on the way.  Now, I can sell my harvest results easily.  In addition, I receive mentoring and coaching from Tanoto Foundation in good farming system.  I am happy to report that  my oil palm harvest has been increasing,” said Rusman Effendi.

Tanoto Foundation’s support for the areas’ family can also be felt by Yusfaini. Previously, she was only an ordinary housewife and did not know how to earn additional income for her family.  After being trained by Tanoto Foundation, now Yusfaini can create batik products and at the same time market her products.

“From previously not being able to do anything, now I can create batik products. In addition to the training sessions, Tanoto Foundation also helps me to market my products. The proceeds are enough to supplement the family income,” said Yusfaini.

Support for small-scale farmers and businesses is one of Tanoto Foundation’s programs in community empowerment.  Tanoto Foundation, which was established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, strives to be a center of excellence in poverty alleviation through three activities, namely education, community empowerment, and enhancement of quality of lives. .

(Read:  Profile of Sukanto Tanoto)

Tanoto Foundation has supported more than 5,661 farmers in good farming practices.  The  Foundation also provides business management training to 215 small-scale business people and training for business skill to 144 persons.

Education in Indonesia still requires a great deal of attention. According to Ministry of Education and Culture 2011/2012 data, the school drop-out rate at primary school level was still around 248,988 children. Lack of financing and inadequate education facilities were some of the reasons why these children were not able to continue their education.
This fate also beset Agung Baskoro. Because of Agung’s family financial limitation, it was difficult for him to continue his education. The fact that he came from a relatively small town in North Sumatra also did not help him to obtain a high quality education.
“Children, especially those who live in rural areas, still have difficulties in accessing quality education. Lack of funding, remoteness of the area, and inadequate school facilities still pose as obstacles. I was also affected by these obstacles,” recalled Agung Baskoro.
(Read: List of Non-Binding Scholarships)
However, Agung is one of those people who have been successful in improving his live. The opportunity came when he was studying at the Politics and Government Program of the Social Science and Political Science Faculty of University of Gadjah Mada. From 2006-2009, he was a Tanoto Scholar, or recipient of Tanoto Foundation scholarship.
(Read: Binding Scholarships)
“The founder of Tanoto Foundation, Sukanto Tanoto, dropped out of school because he had to help his family. However, Sukanto Tanoto has never given up. Instead, he continues to study through different means. Through Tanoto Foundation, Sukanto Tanoto wants to fulfil his dream of alleviating poverty in Indonesia,” said Agung Baskoro.
(Read: Sukanto Tanoto’s Profile)
Agung Baskoro, a young man who was born in Medan on 31 May 1986, is now working as a Political Analyst at Poltracking, a center for political study. He was also Metro TV’s 2009 Next Leader (The Young Candidate) winner. Moreover, Agung is one of the more than 6,700 school students and university students in Indonesia who enjoy supports from Tanoto Foundation.
Tanoto Foundation, which started its activities in 1981, has also worked in partnership with 35 higher education institutions in Indonesia. Another activity of Tanoto Foundation is to step up education quality by working in partnerships with 466 schools in Jambi, Riau, and North Sumatra. Activities involved in this improvement of education quality include among others training of teachers to improve their ability in teaching in the classrooms, training of students to acquire the habit of clean and healthy living, and motivation for students to read and love books.

For Tanoto Foundation, this year’s commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence Day was one of the fitting moments to highlight the organization’s effort to prepare the country’s youths to become future leaders.

To date, Tanoto Foundation has provided more than 6,600 scholarships to school and university students in Indonesia. As part of its effort to empower the recipients of Tanoto Foundation scholarships or Tanoto Scholars, the Foundation has been carrying out routine activities such as Tanoto Scholars Gathering. During this yearly event, Tanoto Scholars from partner universities meet and have the opportunity to improve skills such as leadership, team work, and public speaking.

(Read: National Champion Scholarship)

This year, Tanoto Scholars Gathering took place in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau from August 16 to 19, 2016. “We do not only provide financial support, but we also support Indonesia’s young generation to become leaders who will usher the country to the future.  We also believe that learning from proven and successful figures can be beneficial for them,” said Anderson Tanoto, member of the Tanoto Foundation’s Board of Trustees during the Gathering.

For example, one of the principles that Mr. Sukanto Tanoto taught to his family is the great desire for learning.  “In my father’s time in the past, learning required greater efforts due to limitation of facilities.  However, at present, when information can be accessed easily, what is required is a high motivation.  How much you are able to learn depends on how big is your desire to learn,” continued Anderson Tanoto.

(Read:  Sukanto Tanoto’s Profile)

Anderson Tanoto added that Tanoto Scholars should also have the motivation for continuous learning.  “We should always be hungry for learning.  Sukanto Tanoto once said that the day you stop to learn is the day of your demise,” said Anderson.

In addition to understanding the importance of learning, Sukanto Tanoto also applies leadership values, in which we should be able to first lead ourselves properly before leading other people in our immediate surrounding and, subsequently, larger environment.

It is hoped that the values existing within Sukanto Tanoto’s family could inspire Tanoto Scholars in living their lives.  When implemented fully, the spirits of learning and leadership in the real world can support Tanoto Scholars to become competent, excellent, and insightful leaders of Indonesia.

(Read: Regional Champion Scholarship)