At the invitation of the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, Ms. Zhang Yinjun, President of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, traveled to Indonesia. After her visit to refugee children stranded there on April 1, she continued to gain an in-depth understanding of local grassroots educational charity efforts, conducting thorough research for the implementation of a major public welfare project. As this cross-border charitable journey unfolds, a soul-stirring conversation also emerges.

Here, poverty, displacement, and lack of education are realities, but charity, resilience, and hope shine just as brightly.

A Slum School Fulfills the Educational Dreams of Impoverished Children

On April 2, Ms. Zhang Yinjun visited the "Emergency School," founded by Indonesian twin sisters Sri Rossyati and Sri Irianingsih. The sisters, both in their seventies and from a military family, could have enjoyed a comfortable life but chose to dedicate themselves to public service.

The former site of the school is under the bridge to the left of the little boy

The shantytown school built next to the bridge in 2013

Inside the school

The school they founded was initially established beneath a bridge in Jakarta—above was the bustling traffic, while below were children from the slums, some of whom were even homeless orphans. They can't afford tuition, don't have school uniforms, and lack even a proper desk. Scorching weather and unexpected downpours accompany them every day during their studies. Despite the harsh conditions, these children still cherish their hard-earned opportunity to learn, clutching their books tightly and attending each class with dedication.

The sisters' acts of kindness haven't stopped. They provide clothes for the children, slippers for those who are barefoot, and use their own land to grow rice for the schoolchildren, ensuring they can at least have a hot bowl of rice. Children learn to build fires and cook on their own, developing strong survival skills in tough environments.

"They lack complete textbooks, possessing only worn-out books, and they don't have permanent teachers, just volunteers who take turns teaching." "But here, what I see is not despair, but a strength that rises above poverty," Ms. Zhang Yinjun said with emotion.

What is even more touching and almost unimaginable is that the sisters Sri Rossyati and Sri Irianingsih sponsor 64 of these schools in this "Nation of Ten Thousand Islands", all under the shared and resounding name of "Kartini Emergency School".

The Significance of Philanthropy: Bridging Borders, Igniting Hope

The trip to Indonesia highlighted that in some parts of the world, education is not an inherent right but a luxury.

As a non-governmental organization holding special consultative status with the United Nations, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation not only focuses on the development of adolescents in China but also actively engages in international affairs, contributing to global youth education and humanitarian efforts. The trip to Indonesia marks an important step for the Beijing Changier Education Foundation in fulfilling its international responsibilities. Participating in international humanitarian efforts not only fulfills the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals but also showcases to the world that Chinese social organizations are embracing global responsibilities with professional expertise.

In China, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation has established over 1,300 "Changier Huts" and more than 210 "Maternal Love Academies" in remote areas. Internationally, the foundation will continue to collaborate with global philanthropic efforts to create a brighter future for more children.

Let the world see that more children need to be enlightened

Indonesia, the Nation of Ten Thousand Islands, holds many untold stories. These stories contain challenges, hardships, and hope. The journey was exhausting yet rewarding, but all the fatigue melted away at the sight of these children's smiling faces.

Closing Remarks

This is not just a journey of public service but also a profound renewal of the soul. Here, we see another side of the world and are more convinced that education and love are the most powerful agents of change.