In the remote village of Oetuke, we hear a strong call for good education, a wish for a future where every child gets the same chance to learn, grow, and become who they want to be. The journey to make this wish come true is hard, especially for children who can’t get to school easily because it’s too far and expensive to travel. This is where our story starts, with Junior High School (SMP) Oetuke becoming a light of hope and learning for all the kids in this far-away village.
SMP Oetuke isn’t just a school – it’s an answer to a big need. After finishing elementary school (SD), kids in Oetuke face a big problem: the nearest junior high school is a tough two-hour walk away. It’s a hard and unsafe trip, and the cost of getting a ride is too much for many families. Plus, the quality of education in available schools isn’t good enough. For instance, even after 12 years of school (up to SMA level), students struggle with basic math and don’t know basic facts about Indonesia.
Building new school buildings in remote areas like Oetuke is really tough. So, we’ve decided not to focus on building right now. Instead, our main goal is to create a great curriculum and make sure we have the best teachers.
Even without new buildings, we believe that good teaching and a strong curriculum can make real learning happen anywhere. While the village will manage classrooms, using spaces in current schools like SMAK or SD, we will work hard to make sure the education the kids get is powerful and helps them succeed.
We’re designing a curriculum for SMP Oetuke that focuses on important subjects that build strong academic skills for future learning and work. By putting a spotlight on math and languages, we hope to give students the basic skills they need to keep learning and to communicate well in the wider world.
Good teachers are key, too. We’re dedicated to developing teachers who are skilled and who really want to make a difference in their students’ lives. We’ll attract skilled teachers and keep helping them learn and grow. We’ll also help local teachers improve their skills, which will make the learning experience even better for the students.
We’re not just teaching subjects; we’re growing future leaders, scientists, and teachers who will help break the chains of poverty and lack of development in the area. By focusing on important subjects and helping teachers keep getting better, we ensure that the good that SMP Oetuke does will keep going, lighting the way for future generations.
At EGI, we always aim to focus our efforts where they are most needed while making the greatest impact with the resources we have. Currently, our primary focus is on the education center in Kotolin, and since we have not yet secured the land certificate for Oetuke, we are not proceeding with school construction there at this time. However, we are addressing a critical gap by providing a math teacher for SMAK Oetuke, which also hosts SMP Oetuke classes. Without this teacher, students had no access to proper math education—an essential foundation for mastering other natural sciences. By having this teacher lead all five classes, we are making a meaningful difference in ensuring students gain crucial math skills that are vital for their future academic and professional development.
Join our mission to illuminate the paths of Oetuke’s children through education! Whether it’s by lending your expertise in curriculum development, creating learning materials, or stepping into the classroom as a math or physics teacher, your involvement can shape futures. Let’s create a cascade of knowledge, empowering the young minds of Oetuke together.
Empower Generations Indonesia is a charity providing quality education and promoting sustainable development in remote Indonesia.
IBAN: CH02 0839 3053 9833 4714 6
Empower Generations Indonesia
Vorholzstrasse 48
3800 Unterseen
Switzerland
