Relaxing and enjoying a good book.

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The crowded residential area of Gandaria Selatan, South Jakarta looked quiet that morning. Most of the residents had already left their houses to work or carry out their daily activities. The high demand of providing for the family often left the parents and adults of these households with such hectic schedule and limited time to care for their children properly. Most of them left the education of their children to their caregivers, who often did not have a clear idea about positive child rearing approaches.

However, still at the same location, busy activities could be seen from a small building. There were young children sitting comfortable on the floor, reading books with colorful pictures and texts. Two teachers were guiding them to read the texts and recognize the pictures patiently. These activities were taking place at Al Huda Early Childhood Education Center, a partner Center of Tanoto Foundation.

Salimah, the principal of Al – Huda, said that the place was established out of concern from the community regarding the education for the young people in the area. They then agreed to collect money to start building the Center some time ago.

“Although we were lucky that the community members contributed for the building of this Center, we still needed help for maintenance. At the time, the roof leaked and water got to the class room. The floor got wet and disrupted the teaching and learning activities. The room became dirty. It was not a comfortable surrounding for these young children to learn,” said Salimah. “Fortunately we obtained support from Tanoto Foundation. Now we have a great class room with walls full of beautiful paintings. Thank you, Tanoto Foundation.”

Tanoto Foundation support to Al – Huda center includes building renovation, provision of classroom furniture, teachers learning aid, child-friendly educational equipment, books, as well as a reading corner. In addition, Tanoto Foundation also trains the teachers to improve their teaching skills and to obtain certification.

During his recent visit to Al – Huda Center, South Jakarta Mayor Syamsuddin Noor appreciated the support of Tanoto Foundation. According to him, supporting the children to acquire knowledge is a noble effort. Syamsuddin Noor also expressed his hope that the support of Tanoto Foundation and the collaboration among the stakeholders would continue in the future.

Kasyfil Syakirin was bon on September 9, 1994. As the eldest child, Kasyfil’s family has high hopes for him. His father gave a great deal of attention to Kasyfil’s education. One of his father’s dreams was for Kasyfil to get his university education from outside Indonesia.

Teachers at Kasyfil school started to notice his excellent grades when he was in Junior High School. He was also actively involved in different schools activities and was selected as the school’s organization president. However, two weeks before his final examination, his father passed away. Kasyfil was deeply saddened by his passing. Instead of studying, he spent most of his time thinking and reflecting. Eventually, he remembered that his father always wanted him to maintain his performance in school. Kasyfil tried very hard to get out of his sadness and focused on his study. Although he had limited time to study for his examinations, he used his time well. At the end, this hard work paid off. Kasyfil was not only able to maintain his academic achievement but he improved his grades significantly.

In high school, Kasyfil maintained his high grades and busy schedule as the school’s organization president. He established a forum for other schools’ organizations and even became a leader of that forum.

However, Kasyfil still wanted to pursue his passion as a communicator. Because of his interest in public speaking and broadcasting, he was often asked to become master of ceremony in different events. He even won a second prize in a national level MC competition.

This interest also played an important role in his decision to continue his higher education in the Communications Department of University of Indonesia Politics and Social Science Faculty. Kasyfil continues to study hard because he does not want to disappoint his family. The proof of his hard work could be seen from his high GPA, always in the top three among his peers’.  This academic achievement also opened his opportunity to become a recipient of Tanoto Foundation Scholarship.

As a Tanoto Scholar, Kasyfil learned one important value of Tanoto Foundation. Although he faces challenges, he should not give up without any fight. He learned this spirit from the founder of Tanoto Foundation, Bapak Sukanto Tanoto. Although Bapak Sukanto Tanoto had to leave school to support his family, he did not deter this obstacle to dampen his spirit. Bapak Sukanto Tanoto continued to study on his own from different sources.

Kasyfil is interested to pursue a career in broadcasting. He diligently took part in several presenter casting sessions in several TV stations. And now, he is assigned to work as a presenter in an English Speaking TV station in Jakarta.

However, Kasyfil is not satisfied with this achievement. He still has the dream to work as a public relations person in a multi national company. Kasyfil also wants to achieve the dream that his father had for him; to be educated outside of Indonesia. His dream is to go to the United States to learn more about public relations.

Thursday, 21 May 2015 – According to the research undertaken by Benjamin S. Bloom, an education expert from University of Chicago, the growth of brain cells for children aged 0-4 years reach 50% , and until they are 8 years old it will reach 80%. This indicates the significance of the availability for a proper early childhood education.

As part of the effort to tackle poverty through Education, Empowerment, and Enhancement of Quality of Lives, Tanoto Foundation supports the improvement of quality for Early Childhood Education (PAUD) in the Jakarta region. One of the schools that obtain the support is PAUD Al-Uda, sub-district South Gandaria, South Jakarta.

The support to improve the quality of education at PAUD Al-Huda includes support for classroom furnitures, teaching instruments, child-friendly educative toys, children books collections, and the renovation for the children’s reading hub. Tanoto Foundation also provides support to enhance the teachers’ capacities by providing teachers training, and Education Competency Certificate Program for early childhood education.

 “Tanoto Foundation’s support for PAUD in Jakarta is in line the vision of the founders, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto and Mrs. Tinah Bingei Tanoto, to take part in the effort to tackle poverty through Education, Empowerment, and Enhancement of Quality of Lives. We aim to realize this vision by coordinating partnership with government bodies and the public bodies, to achieve a valuable impact and to guarantee the continuity of the program,” Sihol Aritonang, Chairman of Tanoto Foundation, explained.

PAUD Al-Huda is located in the area of Child-Friendly Integrated Public Space (RPTRA) in Jalan Baharin, Cilandak, South Jakarta, which has been officially opened by the Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaya Purnama. The facilities within the RPTRA include several rooms that can be of use for residents in the area, youth groups and PAUD, a mini football field, playground, and a fish pond.

PAUD Al-Huda is one of the five schools that are supported by Tanoto Foundation. The five PAUD are all located within the surrounding of other RPTRA in other areas, which are now being developed by the Provincial Government of Jakarta. By leading the PAUD in all of those other RPTRA, Tanoto Foundation also encourages schools to become pioneers in the development of RPTRA, with PKK groups (Fostering Family Welfare) and other public bodies.

The support to improve the quality of PAUD is part of Tanoto Foundation’s effort to enhance the value of education in Indonesia. Up to this day, Tanoto Foundation has partnered with more than 320 schools in North Sumatera, Riau, and Jambi. Tanoto Foundation also supports PAUD Bougenville in Rorotan, Cilincing, as well as PAUD Kenanga 17 in Rusunawa, Pluit Reservoir, North Jakarta.

For further information, please contact the following.

Lestari Boediono, Head of Corporate Communications

Phone: +62 21 392 3189, Fax: +62 21 392 3324

Email: lestari_boediono@www.tanotofoundation.org

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About Tanoto Foundation

Tanoto Foundation, which was established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, has a vision to become a center of excellence in the effort for Poverty Alleviation through Education, Empowerment, and Enhancement of Quality of Lives. In the realm of education, Tanoto Foundation supports the improvement of accessibility and quality of education in Indonesia.

In order to improve the accessibility of education, Tanoto Foundation has rewarded scholarships to more than 5,400 students and university students, as well as working in partnership with 28 Universities in Indonesia. Moreover, to improve the quality of education, Tanoto Foundation works in partnership with over 320 schools in North Sumatera, Riau, and Jambi. Among the programs operated are to develop the capacities of teachers in classroom-based teaching and learning, training for students to improve their habit to live clean and healthy, as well as supporting students to improve their fascination in reading books.

In the realm of Community Empowerment, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners, PT. Riau Andalan Pul and Paper. One of their programs is to train 3,400 farmers in the Integrated Farming System. Tanoto Foundation also works with other corporate partners, including Asian Agri. The programs were developed to raise the income of more than 3,600 independent farmers who manage in approximate 11,000 hectares of sustainable palm oil plantations.

In the realm of Enhancement of Quality of Lives, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners to run programs such as health and development of clean water and sanitation facilities.

For further information, please visit: staging2-tanotofoundation-org.averis.emerain.net