Written by Indra Setiawan, Tanoto Foundation Riau

Effective learning kit does not have to be expensive. There are many kits that do not require a lot of money to make. To make a simple yet effective learning kit, the most important factor is the elements of the kit. All of the elements must be organized in a way that would enable the information or knowledge  to be conveyed to the recipients easily. To support this process, an educator or a teacher is expected to be creative to use materials from his or her surrounding to make and use this type of kit.

As part of Tanoto Foundation’s efforts to improve teachers’ capacity in class room, Tanoto Foundation has carried out training sessions so teachers could make and use simple learning kits. Bapak Adrisman, a teacher from SDN 025 Talontam Riau, used these training sessions to make his own simple learning kits.

As one of the local facilitators for Tanoto Foundation programs for partner schools, Bapak Adrisman is  expected to share knowledge and information with other teachers. He is also expected to apply the knowledge  in his class rooms.

To support the students to study the principles of Physics, Bapak Adrisman asked the sixth graders of SDN 025 Talontam to bring items from their home: used soap box, used sandals, rubber band, and wooden stick. These items were then assembled for the students to learn about the principles of Motion and Force, using the implementation of spring system. The students found this exercise fun yet effective as they were able to understand the Physics principles easily.

Tanoto Foundation has been training teachers as part of the effort to improve the quality of education. To date, more than 4,400 teachers have been the beneficiaries of the programs at school level in Riau, Jambi, and North Sumatra.

Written by Hotman Simalango, Tanoto Scholar from Universitas Jambi

A few days ago, some of us, the recipients of Tanoto Foundation scholarships visited the indigenous group of Suku Anak Dalam Senami in Jambi. This visit was part of the regular activities of Tanoto Scholars Association (TSA) Jambi. In this particular visit, we planned to have “English Fun Day,” a day where the children of Suku Anak Dalam Senami could learn simple English through fun activities such as learning and playing.

When we arrived at the location, no child was to be found around the village. However, that situation changed when some mothers saw us and started shouting for their children to come. Not long after, many children started to show up and gather around the local health clinic.

Afterward, one of the children complained that a long time had occurred from the last time we visited them. This expression of protest touched us deeply. We realized that, although these children lived in a remote area in the forest, their spirit to learn was high. We promised to come every week to visit these young children.

Our sessions were filled with their laughter and silly yet funny behavior. Although it was not easy to teach them, we enjoyed the experience tremendously. For example, when they were learning new English words through singing, they kept saying the words with incorrect pronunciation. The Tanoto Scholars had to patiently guide them so they could say the words correctly.

We also had a game of “Step on the Alphabet.” This was done so these children could recognize the alphabet. This game also improved their motor skills. Through these fun activities, they were encouraged to learn the basic skills of reading and learning.

On the other hand, we, the Tanoto Scholars also learned from this experience. For example, we realized that each child learned at his or her own speed. We also learned that we need to be creative to hold their attention a period of time.

The activity with Suku Anak Dalam Senami is a part of Tanoto Scholars effort to give back to community. Other activities of Tanoto Scholar Association Jambi include regular visit to local orphanage to encourage the young children to love books and learning.

Andi Saputra Manurung was born in Parapat, North Sumatra on July 30, 1993. Coming from a disadvantaged family where both parents work as coffee farmers and have to support four other children,  Andi hopes to have a better life in the future. He also knows that education is the key to achieve this dream.

However, the journey to achieve this dream was not as smooth as he had hoped for. Although his grades from elementary to senior high school were excellent, he could not afford to continue his education.

Andi did not let this situation stop him from achieving his dream. He used the free time to save money in any ways he could. He worked together with his father in coffee plantation. He also worked in building and street construction projects. After one year of working here and there, he was able to save enough money to continue his education. He chose to attend Political Science Department of Universitas Sumatera Utara.

At the beginning, Andi had to find additional income to buy books and other learning materials. During his free time, Andi also worked as a tutor in a learning center in Medan. He also learned to live frugally and save the money sent by his parents.

Andi feels that the scholarship from Tanoto Foundation has helped him a great deal. This is because, as a Tanoto Scholar, he is also able to explore other activities that help him realize his full potential. In addition to maintaining his excellent academic performance, Andi is actively involved in many organizations. For example, as a member of the National Student Front, he spends his time teaching in many elementary schools in Medan.

The provision of scholarships by Tanoto Foundation is based on the belief of the Foundation’s founder, Bapak Sukanto Tanoto. He believes that every person should have the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. Further, education is the basis to achieve this goal and, with education, the possibility to have a better future will be improved. To date, Tanoto Foundation has provided more than 5,200 scholarships to students from all levels of education in Indonesia.