Photo: Voluntary teacher Dewi Susanti smiles alongside her loving students at Riam 1 Public Elementary, a school in remote Kalimantan
WEST KOTAWARINGIN – Deep in the heart of Kalimantan, hope for future generations stands in the form of Dewi Susanti, who devotes her life to teaching rural youngsters at the forest’s edge.
There was no comfort or luxury upon her entry into Riam 1 Public Elementary. Not that she expected them; her driving force is rooted in the grim reality of village education — teacher shortage, limited facilities, and a lack of government attention — which impedes learning in her hometown.
Her income only comes from Korintiga Hutani, a forestry-based company in West Kotawaringin. While money and status matter little to Dewi, she is thankful for any remaining attention she gets from stakeholders in Riam.
“I’m grateful, no matter the amount, because it’s [Korintiga Hutani CSR team] giving [the payment] to us.”
Nothing deters her, not even the many hats she wears. With so little staff around, Dewi must cover multiple subjects, from religion, maths, to Indonesian, to keep her kids learning.
But beyond the challenges, she sees an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. It’s what fuels her work. “Those excited faces, they get etched into your head. Even when there’s not much to teach, [the kids are] still interested in studying and attending classes. Their passion is out of this world.”
Photo: (above) The quaint building of Riam 1 Public Elementary stands among grassy fields and dense green trees. (below) Korintiga Hutani staff with the young girls in Riam 1
Recognizing the need to motivate teachers like Dewi, Korintiga Hutani offers regular honorarium payments.
Around 13 people in 13 villages have enjoyed this incentive, said Erwansyah Ardi, KTH’s PR and forest community empowerment manager.
“We’re helping not just voluntary teachers, but local clinic staff, in some places. There’s what’s called Sukarame Village, whose government requested financial aid. We try to provide that, at the same amount as the teacher payments,” Ardi added.
Education is beyond grand school buildings and cutting-edge facilities. It’s about heart and dedication, evident in the program connecting Dewi Susanti, Riam Village government, and Korintiga Hutani. Dewi’s story should inspire us — communities, governments, companies — to pay more attention to rural education. (PR)