From the mountains of Tanggamus to the beaches of Pesisir Barat, Lampung, the CEO of Save the Children Indonesia Dessy Kurwiany Ukar met with partners, local government officials, and primary school students from 28 April to 1 May 2025.
Over four days, Dessy witnessed how the KREASI Program is beginning to make a difference for everyone involved. Funded by the Global Partnership for Education, this program carries a noble mission: to improve the quality of education in remote areas of Indonesia.
At SDN Pungkut—one of 31 KREASI partner schools in Tanggamus—Dessy interacted with second and third-grade students. In the eyes of these young children, she saw hope for better-quality education.
“We’re very happy to be a KREASI partner school, especially because we’ve always been passionate about improving literacy and numeracy,” said Maisitoh, Principal of SDN Pungkut (29/4).
Meanwhile, in Pesisir Barat, Teacher Working Groups (KKG) for elementary and early childhood education gathered eagerly to learn from master trainers who shared best teaching practices. In front of Dessy, some teachers opened up about the challenges they face—including how to better support students with disabilities.
Issues such as gender equality, disability and social inclusion, and climate change are key targets of the KREASI program, alongside improving literacy, numeracy, and character building.
Together with Dian Hardiyanti Dedi, Chairperson of the Pesisir Barat PKK, and Edwin Kastolani, Head of the Pesisir Barat Education and Culture Office, Dessy distributed 5,000 illustrated storybooks to 31 KREASI partner schools in Pesisir Barat.
“Through the KREASI program that Save the Children runs in partnership with Yayasan Guru Belajar in Pesisir Barat, we are committed to accelerating improvements in children’s literacy, numeracy, and character development,” said Dessy.
“One of the key focuses of this program is to ensure that children have access to reading materials that are high-quality, relevant, and enjoyable,” she added.
In addition to the KREASI Program, Dessy also met with cocoa farmers who are beneficiaries of the Cocoa Life Program—an empowerment initiative for cocoa farmers and their families aimed at improving their well-being and promoting sustainable cocoa farming. This program is implemented by Save the Children Indonesia, supported by Mondelez, and in partnership with PT Olam Food Ingredient (OFI).
A total of 19 farmers from the Makmur group in Sidomulyo, Tanggamus, held a discussion with Dessy Kurwiany Ukar. They shared the positive impact they have felt from the Cocoa Life Program so far.
Author: Andika Ramadhan