New Community Center to Help Growing Neighborhood

Jakarta has witnessed rapid growth over the past decade, but the provision of children’s playgrounds and other community facilities has struggled to keep pace.

In Tebet Barat, South Jakarta, children had to play in the narrow alleyways, while adults had few places to meet during their leisure time.

Tanoto Foundation helped redress the balance by supporting a new playground and community centre in the heart of this busy neighborhood.

The 2,400 square meter RPTRA (Child Friendly Integrated Public Space) Akasia facility includes a children’s playground, library, gardens, sports pitches and a multi-purpose room which can be used for classes and events.

“With the existence of RPTRA Akasia, we hope children in Tebet Barat and the surrounding areas can play and learn so that they can grow and develop well,” said Sihol Aritonang, Head of Tanoto Foundation Executive Board. “Also for the parents, we hope they can gather together, socialize, and come up with ideas for positive activities from this place.

“Our support is in line with the principles of the founders of Tanoto Foundation, Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto. They believe that learning does not always have to occur in classrooms, but can also occur in our surrounding environment.”

RPTRA Akasia even features a shop to enable local women to sell snacks that they make or handicrafts, thereby earning additional income to support their families.

The project comes as part of Tanoto Foundation’s commitment to education, empowerment of local communities, and enhancement of quality of lives. It also supports several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including a drive for sustainable cities and communities, and supporting quality education.

“We believe that education, which is of quality and can be easily accessed, should be available to people of all ages.  This belief is also in line with target number 4 of the SDGs, which is Quality Education,” said Sihol Aritonang

Tanoto Foundation’s support for RPTRA Akasia is the latest of several projects in Jakarta. To date, Tanoto Foundation has supported seven early childhood education centers to ensure the city’s youths have the opportunity to develop and grow in conducive environment.

In addition to its work in Jakarta, Tanoto Foundation supports more than 300 schools across the country, providing facilities and training to enhance the quality of education.