Education is the right of all Indonesia citizens, without exception. Unfortunately, there are still many children from impoverished families who have succumbed to the harsh reality of their parents’ inability to afford their education to higher level.

As the first social business institution in Indonesia, Sampoerna Foundation (PSF) that has the vision to create reliable Indonesian future leaders and entrepreneurs who are ready to face global challenges, prioritizes the provision of quality education for Indonesian student top achievers, especially those coming from impoverished family.

PSF then took the initiative to set up Siswa Bangsa, a non-profit, student-owned cooperative to help improve access to education by providing a comprehensive aid system - including financial assistance. Siswa Bangsa aims to help the most academically gifted of Indonesia’s most disadvantaged students to help them attain superior high school and university educations.

Siswa Bangsa allows potential future leaders to have access to higher education through the concept of "dressing aids" - revolving fund without interest and collateral in accordance with Islamic principles. In this case, collaboration is very important for Siswa Bangsa in its efforts to achieve its goals. In 2010, the Sampoerna School of Education (SSE) and Sampoerna School of Business (SSB) also teamed up with Siswa Bangsa in helping to pay school fees for 167 university students. The students, who later became a member of Siswa Bangsa, also received personal development trainings to prepare them for life after graduation.

To oversee students’ activities, Siswa Bangsa formed Koperasi Siswa Bangsa (KSB) community. This community consists of Dana Siswa Bangsa recipients, Sampoerna Foundation Scholars Club (SFSC), and Sampoerna Foundation Alumni Association (PSFAA).

We can all participate in helping the provision of education for students from impoverished families by contributing through KSB. By participating, we are opening opportunities for them to high-quality education that helps create individuals who are able to compete in the global competition. By contributing through KSB, we have also opened the door for them to experience interactive teaching-learning process -supported by international curriculum- that is able to bring out the best in them.

Click here for further information on how to contribute for this program.