After months of searching, visiting sites and discussing possibilities with families around Kot’olin, a promising piece of land finally became a realistic option for our school’s expansion.
The original asking price had been beyond our budget. When the sellers lowered it, we were able to reconsider. We are very grateful for their willingness to make this possible. With one hectare of land in a suitable location, we decided to move forward.
Space, Trees and a Sheltered Setting
What made this site special was clear as soon as we looked at it. A large part of the land is flat, a valuable feature in the hills around Kot’olin. The soil is fertile, large trees grow across the property, and the setting is beautiful. Below the exposed hilltops, it also offers a more sheltered environment.
The site is centrally located within one of Kot’olin’s village neighbourhoods. From across Kot’olin, it is roughly a five-minute scooter ride away. Our existing school is only a few hundred metres away in a straight line, although the new land sits around 150 metres lower down.
After considering so many sites that were too small, too steep or too far from children’s homes, finding this combination of space and location was a major step forward.
The Next Task: Documenting the Land
Choosing the site opened a new chapter of administrative work. We were advised that obtaining the land certificate could take around a year.
During a visit to the land office, known locally as Pertanahan, I was shown the available mapping for the area. There was very little survey information to work with, which helped explain why the process would involve so much preparation.
We began working with a notary’s office recommended to us by several people, including the land office, and experienced in handling land that had not yet been formally surveyed. We asked them to confirm when all required documents had been submitted and to clarify what would need to be in place before construction could begin. In parallel, we worked on the building permit application.
Signatures, Stamps and a Journey from Kalimantan
As with our earlier search, the process involved more than the people living nearby. One of the seller’s daughters needed to travel from Kalimantan to sign, and we covered the cost of her flight. Further signatures were also needed later in the process.
Some family members who could not write used a fingerprint in place of a signature. Altogether, the paperwork involved numerous signatures and around 30 to 40 stamps. Each document meant making sure the right people were involved and the required steps were completed.
The workload was substantial enough that we hired someone to take care of administration, including these processes. For a growing school, this work needs dedicated time and attention alongside everything happening in the classrooms.
