Quarterly Update
Trip to Penyengat Island
In July and August, educational trips were organised for senior students to Penyengat Island, where they had the opportunity to learn about the island's rich cultural history. Penyengat is a small island located off the west coast of Bintan. Historically significant, it was once a centre of Malay culture and the seat of the Johor-Riau Sultanate in the 19th century. The island is known for its well-preserved historical sites, including the grand Sultan Mosque (Masjid Raya Sultan Riau), old palaces, and royal tombs, notably the grave of Raja Ali Haji, a key figure in the development of the Malay language.
During the visit, students explored these historical landmarks and experienced local traditions by wearing traditional Malay costumes. A local storyteller guided the tour, providing the students with detailed insights into the island’s past. According to a parent survey, the trip was well-received, with many appreciating the chance for their children to extend learning beyond the classroom.
95 students from four different learning centres visited the island over five different trips. We were also very grateful to one of the parents who joined us on one trip to assist with student supervision. The goal of these trips is not only to enrich the students' understanding of history but also fostered greater engagement with their cultural heritage.
Jong School
During July and August, we also organised three trips to the Jong School for students from nearby learning centres. 21 students from each of the three learning centres joined, making a total of 63 participants. Jong racing is a traditional Indonesian sport involving miniature sailboats called "Jong," which are typically made from lightweight wood. During the session held on the beach, the students were introduced to the history of Jongs, learned about their parts, and practised assembling them. They also had hands-on experience navigating the Jongs on water, culminating in a fun group race.
We are very grateful to Michel who runs the Jong school in Bintan, nurturing the next generation of artisans and enthusiasts. His passion for Jong racing and dedication to keeping these traditions alive is really inspiring. Each year, he organises bi-annual Jong races, ensuring that this beautiful cultural heritage continues to thrive.
Local Teacher Training in Lingga
This quarter, we conducted two three-day Local Teacher Training (LTT) workshops in Lingga, the archipelagic Regency south of Bintan, for primary school teachers. Both of these sessions focused on how to most effectively implement the new national curriculum through student-centred learning and project-based learning, two of the central pedagogical approaches we take in our Learning Centres. The workshops were facilitated by our long-term technical advisors - Ms. Pima and Ms. Pia, and we were delighted to see a high rate of attendance with 49 of 50 teachers attending 100% of the workshop days. Whatsmore, a post-training survey revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with nearly 100% of participants expressing satisfaction.
Evolve Workshop
In June, our friends at Evolve School of Performing Arts, Singapore, came over to run a drama workshop for students from four of our Learning Centres. The workshop, titled "Products out of Reusable Material”, began with students practising their English drama performances under the guidance of the Evolve team. This provided an excellent opportunity for students to improve their confidence and speaking skills while exploring the world of drama.
At the end of the workshop, the students performed in front of their parents, showcasing their talent on stage. The performances were met with warm applause and pride from the families. A total of 109 students and 61 parents from our three 3 Learning Centres in Malang Rapat, Teluk Dalam - Trikora, and Pulau Pucung participated in the day.
We are incredibly grateful to the Evolve team for their continued support in running these workshops regularly, and we can see huge improvements to the kids' confidence levels because of them.
Team Training with Evolve and Jono
In June, the program team travelled to Singapore to receive specialised training from Evolve School of Performing Arts. The training focused on innovative methods for teaching and engaging children in the classroom, with an emphasis on creative approaches to learning. Our team gained valuable skills and insights that will enhance our ability to connect with students and make lessons more dynamic and interactive.
In August, our team had the valuable opportunity to refresh their CPR and First Aid skills, thanks to the annual visit from Jono, the lifesaving trainer who travels from Australia to train the staff at Nikoi and Cempedak Islands. Each year, we are invited to join his sessions, allowing us to keep these critical life-saving skills sharp. Given the responsibility we carry in the classroom and during field trips, these skills are essential, and we are incredibly grateful to Jono and the islands for their continued support in ensuring our readiness.
Mandala Club Event
In July, we had the pleasure of hosting an evening at the Mandala Club, bringing together our Singapore-based supporters and network. The atmosphere was vibrant, with attendees from the corporate, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors, as well as individual supporters, all gathered under one roof.
The evening featured a fireside chat where we delved into the challenges faced by small island and coastal communities in accessing quality education. We shared our strategies for addressing these issues and explored ways in which everyone can play a role in supporting this cause. We are deeply grateful to our panellists, who included members of our team, Board, technical advisors, and external funders:
- Courtney Saville
- Dewi Susanti
- Fransiskus Tintin
- Pollyanna Rayappan
- Albert Tsui
The discussion culminated in a powerful call to action, emphasising that from corporate initiatives to personal contributions, access to unrestricted funding for NGOs like The Island Foundation is crucial. It enables trust and autonomy for organisations to design and deliver programs in ways that are culturally relevant and contextually appropriate.
This event was sponsored by Nikoi and Cempedak Islands as part of The Island Club events calendar. The Island Club is a membership program where 100% of membership fees are donated to The Island Foundation. In return, members enjoy exclusive benefits such as invitations to events like this and early access to booking dates on the islands.
TIF Fun Days
This quarter, we hosted two TIF Fun Days in collaboration with local schools, offering a range of engaging activities designed for students across various grade levels. The events were held at two locations, bringing together 12 teachers and 125 students. The purpose of these Fun Days is to connect with children and educators we don’t typically interact with on a daily basis. During the events, students in grades 1-2 participated in environmental-themed drawing sessions, those in grades 3-4 embarked on an exciting scavenger hunt, and grades 5-6 crafted posters promoting environmental stewardship.
Hiring Alumni
Following our fun and successful event last quarter where we brought together Learning Centre Alumni of post-school age, we met Marlin and Mario among the group of impressive young adults. Both Marlin and Mario attended the Teluk Dalam Learning Centre and remember learning with Teacher Tintin. Now, Marlin has joined our Program Team as a Learning Facilitator, and Mario is doing an internship with the Operations Team as part of his Bachelor of Business Management.
Together with our Program Manager, Gontor, and Learning Facilitator, Kenny, we now have four Learning Centre Alumni on our team!
Award from the Governor of Kepulauan Riau.
We are incredibly proud to announce that our foundation has been honored with a prestigious award from the Governor of Kepulauan Riau!
The award acknowledges our dedication to implementing the Learning for Sustainability framework in our Learning Centres, where we integrate sustainability education into our curriculum and encourage environmental stewardship. Additionally, it highlights our work with the community, conducting various sustainability-focused activities that promote conservation and awareness.
This achievement would not have been possible without the continued support of our students, parents, partners, and team. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey with us!
Board Profile
Dewi Susanti
We are delighted to welcome Dewi Susanti to The Island Foundation as our newest Board member. Dewi brings over two decades of expertise in educational program development and research design, with a strong focus on improving educational equity and quality for underserved communities in Indonesia.
Currently serving as Senior Director for Research at Global School Leaders and Co-Founder of team mycelia, Dewi’s distinguished career includes pivotal roles such as Senior Social Development Specialist at The World Bank Indonesia and Lead Research Specialist at the National Team for the Acceleration of Poverty Reduction (TNP2K) under the Office of the Vice President of Indonesia. She has also made significant contributions to teacher and student program development through her work with the Tanoto Foundation and Art Explore. Beyond her leadership in educational initiatives, Dewi has taught architecture at both the University of Indonesia and Pelita Harapan University (UPH).
Dewi’s impressive academic credentials include a Master of Education from Harvard University and a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. Her deep understanding of Indonesia’s unique challenges and her commitment to driving educational reform make her an invaluable addition to our board. We are excited about the potential she brings to our mission of fostering sustainable development and advancing educational equity.
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