Walter Sitorus is the Headmaster of SDN 51/V, Merlung, Riau. Not too long ago, his school faced a rather difficult situation. The school’s restroom did not function properly because there was no water. “At that time, only teachers could use the restroom. And we had to take water from a house nearby. We realized that we could not continue to do this as the students also need to use the facilities,” Walter said.

Since the school was located near the operational area of Asian Agri, Walter sent a proposal to the company so the school could have better access to clean water.

As part of its community development program, Asian Agri works in partnership with Tanoto Foundation to improve access of rural communities to clean water. The program is open for communities at village level or for schools operating in the village.

In response to a proposal from a local school, SDN 51/V, Merlung, Jambi province, Asian Agri donated a drilling well, a 1,000 liter water container, water pump, and water installation system. Tanoto Foundation trained the teachers on how to manage and maintain the clean water facility.

“Now over two hundred students and teachers have easy and continuous access to clean water, “Walter Sitorus explained happily to Tanoto Foundation.

Since the children now are able to wash their hands and use clean bathrooms regularly, they now face reduced hygiene-related health risks. The clean water program contributes to the overall effort to create a safe and comfortable environment for students to study in.

Almost 300 students from 32 universities in Indonesia gathered in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau, from August 16 to 19, 2016. These students are Tanoto Foundation’s scholarship recipients or better  known as  Tanoto Scholars.  In this activity called Tanoto Scholars Gathering, they were involved in  various learning sessions and briefings in order to improve different capacities, such as their soft skills as well as leadership ability.

(Read: List of Non Binding Scholarships)

The 2016 Tanoto Scholars Gathering was opened by Anderson Tanoto, member of Tanoto Foundation’s Board of Trustees.  In his welcome speech, Anderson Tanoto expressed his pride and great expectations towards Tanoto Scholars.

“Indonesia needs innovations and solutions in order to be more advance and competitive in the world.  To achieve this purpose, Indonesia’s sustainable development should be supported by resilient and high quality leaders who care about their environment.  We are proud to be together with Tanoto Scholars in this Tanoto Scholars Gathering.  These young people not only have high academic achievements, but the also have the potential to become the future leaders of Indonesia,” said Anderson Tanoto.

(Read: List of Binding Scholarships)

During the four-day event, Tanoto Scholars participated in various activities, among others meeting and learning from prominent national figures, outbound games to build their ability to work in teams,  as well as a visit Tanoto Foundation’s corporate partners, to see directly the sustainable practices that are applied every day.  Tanoto Scholars also were trained in public speaking and video blogging.

“In this Tanoto Scholars Gathering, Tanoto Scholars were given the opportunity to strengthen  their motivation to learn and to become leaders, widen their insight on sustainable development, develop networks, as well as hone their soft skills such as public speaking,” added Anderson Tanoto.

To date, Tanoto Foundation has provided scholarships for more than 2,700 Tanoto Scholars from 35 universities in Indonesia. The Foundation uses a rigorous and competitive selection process. Moreover, Tanoto Scholars were also selected because they are students with high academic achievements, have the potentials to become Indonesia’s leaders in the future, and come from families who need financial support for education.

In addition to receiving supports for financial needs and pocket money as well as training to improve their soft skills,  Tanoto Scholars also receive counseling.  They also participate in various learning and briefing activities, such as in the yearly event of  Tanoto Scholars Gathering.

Jakarta, August 4, 2016 – The agriculture sector plays a crucial role in Indonesia’s economy. In 2014, agriculture contributes to as much as 13.38% of Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product, ranking third after Manufacturing and Trade sectors. As the backbones of Indonesia’s economy, farmers should be able to maintain sustainable income and live in prosperity as well as independently.

Data from BPS – Statistics Indonesia in 2013 showed that, from 10.46 hectares of palm oil plantation in Indonesia, 4.36 hectares (41.63%) are managed by smallholders. Productivity wise, smallholder plantations contribute 10.01 million tons (36.03%) to the overall national production. The productivity of community-managed plantations is lower than that of privately- or state-managed plantations. The productivity of smallholders farmers needs to be increased by improving their capacity to implement good agriculture practices.

At the same time, global consumers also demand products that are certified to guarantee the quality and sustainability of oil palm products. Smallholders need the support so they can facilitate and simplify the process so certification process could be faster and more efficient.

As such, on Thursday, August 4, 2016 in Jakarta, Tanoto Foundation and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement to facilitate oil palm independent smallholders to improve their productivity and livelihood.

In this collaboration, UNDP activities include advocacy with relevant stakeholders at provincial and national levels to support efficient and timely certification process. Meanwhile, Tanoto Foundation’s activities include school improvement program, strengthening farmers cooperatives, provision of clean water facility and health services to communities, and development of center of excellence to facilitate the certification process for independent smallholders.  Asian Agri, which is the corporate partner of Tanoto Foundation, will also provide training on good agricultural practice and mentoring to farmers.

Sihol Aritonang, Head of Tanoto Foundation Executive Board said, “Tanoto Foundation was established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto to support poverty alleviation in Indonesia. To do that, Tanoto Foundation works with national and international institutions.”

“We also have collaborated with UNDP before. In February this year, Tanoto Foundation signed an agreement to carry out a pilot project on formulation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the provincial and district levels in Indonesia. Riau Province has been selected as the place for the project and activities are carried out there. We believe that the continuation of our collaboration with UNDP will support palm oil farmers to improve their income and enhance their quality of lives,” said Sihol Aritonang at the end of his remarks.