Jakarta, 2007: Rp 36 in education scholarships for needy Indonesian children was collected through Sampoerna Foundation’s United for Education fund raising drive during Plasa Senayan Social Week (14/09 – 07/10). During Social Week, which was also participated in by GNOTA, Dompet Dhuafa and Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB), Sampoerna Foundation (SF) opened a United for Education booth. Through the data on education in Indonesia presented at that booth, SF convinced Plasa Senayan visitors to express their concern for education in Indonesia by buying various souvenirs or making a direct commitment to become a foster parent for a schoolchild.

Visitors were offered the opportunity to purchase attractive souvenirs, such as hats, t-shirts, agendas, bags, pencil holders and Idul Fitri (Lebaran) cards. These souvenirs sold for between Rp 10,000 – Rp 65,000. Those visitors who did not want to purchase anything, but still wanted to assist Indonesian school children with the cost of education, could fill out a direct commitment scholarship form at the booth. “All of the sales proceeds are going to provide Rp 30,000 per month each to elementary school students, Rp 45,000 for junior high students, and Rp 60,000 for high school students through the Sampoerna Foundation scholarship program.” said Hendri Satrio, Public Relations Officer from Sampoerna Foundation.

According to Department of National Education data for 2005/2006, more than 1 million Indonesian children are forced to drop out of school every year. This means that 2.5% of all school age children (7-18 years of age), with 35.78% of that number dropping out for economic/financial reasons, 23.56% entering the workforce, 15.77% getting married, and 24.89% leaving for other reasons.

Observing these conditions, Sampoerna Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on improving access to and quality of education in Indonesia, felt it necessary to undertake a public awareness campaign through education exhibition booths opened in malls and office buildings throughout Jakarta. This social welfare activity is expected to raise public awareness and concern for the education sector in Indonesia.

”Through the United for Education booths moved from mall to mall, we hope to explain the situation of education in Indonesia to the public and to get their support for improving conditions in schools across the country. We hope that this campaign set out in the midst of the busy daily activities of Jakartans will touch the hearts of those who can afford to give, so that they will become aware of the need and be concerned about improving conditions in the education sector across Indonesia,” Hendri said.

Throughout Social Week in Plasa Senayan, more than 75 people visited the booth every day, with total purchases and donations reaching between Rp 500,000 and Rp 1,500,000, for a total of Rp 36 million over the period of a week.