Jakarta, 11 October 2024 – In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Garut, communities are uniting to rebuild two schools, SDN 3 Barusari and SDN 4 Barusari, located in the Pasirwangi district, Garut Regency in West Java. This collaborative effort, led by Bakti Barito Foundation, Happy Hearts Indonesia, and Kitabisa, aims to restore safe learning environments for a total of 220 students. The reconstruction is projected to be completed within two months, by the end of the year, ensuring that the students can return to their classrooms as soon as possible while fostering long-term community resilience.
 
The earthquake in Garut severely disrupted access to education, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. According to a 2023 study on the impact of earthquakes on education, students affected by disasters like the 2006 Java earthquake face significant setbacks, losing nearly a year of schooling on average and are 10-11% less likely to complete compulsory education.[1]Immediate action is needed to prevent similar long-term educational deficits in Garut.
 
Bakti Barito Foundation, Happy Hearts Indonesia, and Kitabisa have collaborated on a campaign targeting Rp 1.4 billion to finance the reconstruction. The funding will ensure that the new schools will be built with earthquake-resilient building materials. This includes using approximately 9.4 tons of recycled plastic bricks, which will also reduce an estimated 22 tons of carbon emissions. Additionally, Bakti Barito Foundation is spearheading the Kitabisa digital activation campaign to raise public awareness and catalyze public participation in the rebuilding efforts.
 
“This campaign shows the strength of community-driven efforts. By engaging Indonesians across the country and leveraging our platform, we aim to rebuild these schools with resilience and sustainability at the heart,” said Edo Irfandi, Director of Kitabisa.org.
 
"Our priority is to quickly restore safe learning environments for students," said Fifi Pangestu, Executive Director of Bakti Barito Foundation. "Inspired by the vision of our founder, Prajogo Pangestu, we believe education is key to building resilient communities. Rebuilding these schools with earthquake-resilient materials ensures both immediate recovery and long-term stability for Garut’s children."
 
"Our focus is on delivering long-term impact through innovation and sustainability. By using recycled plastic bricks, we’re rebuilding better and setting a benchmark for future disaster recovery efforts. This Block School contributes to 11 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a brighter and more resilient future for communities," said Sylvia Beiwinkler, CEO of Happy Hearts Indonesia.
 
Key highlights:
 

• Sustainable Construction: Happy Hearts Indonesia will oversee the reconstruction using innovative recycled plastic bricks. These eco-friendly materials not only align with sustainability goals but also provide durable structures better equipped to withstand future disasters.
• Community Engagement and Fundraising: Kitabisa’s platform drives the fundraising campaign through digital content and activations, engaging communities across Indonesia. Contributions raised will be matched by Bakti Barito Foundation, amplifying the collective impact.
• Teacher Training for Climate Education:  Through the Green Guardians program, Bakti Barito Foundation will lead training sessions for local teachers once the schools are rebuilt. These sessions aim to integrate climate education into the curriculum, equipping students with the knowledge and tools to become proactive environmental stewards, ensuring long-term impact.

The project has garnered significant attention and will involve local volunteers during the rebuilding process. This collective effort aims to inspire others to join in and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future.
 
For more information on how to support this initiative, visit Kitabisa.com/bangunsekolahhijau
 
About Kitabisa.org
 
Kitabisa.org is an end-to-end consultant by Kitabisa for corporations, brands, and institutions. We helped to plan, implement, and track the impact of the CSR program in line with ESGs and ESG Framework. Through an integrated approach, all CSR initiatives will make fundamental contributions to society and the environment and also fulfill social responsibility for corporations. Visit: https://www.kitabisa.org/
 
About Happy Hearts Indonesia
 
Happy Hearts Indonesia (HHI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the education level of Indonesian children, particularly in disadvantaged areas. By focusing on education and sustainable development, Happy Hearts Indonesia endeavors to create sustainable positive change for all of Indonesian society.
 
Happy Hearts Indonesia has built more than 355 schools, providing education and support to over 97,000 children. HHI is registered with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as the Indonesian Happy Hearts Foundation, with the registration number 014.31.73.07.1002.012.
 
About Bakti Barito Foundation
 
Established in 2011, Bakti Barito Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Barito Pacific Group, an integrated energy company with diversified entities such as Chandra Asri Group, Barito Renewables (a sub-holding company for Star Energy Geothermal), Griya Idola, Petrindo, Petrosea and more.
 
Guided by the enduring commitment of our founders, Prajogo Pangestu and his wife Harlina Tjandinegara, the foundation is dedicated to addressing Indonesia's environmental and educational challenges through collaborative initiatives with our partners and the communities we serve. For more information, please visit baktibarito.com, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and X.
 
Media contact: info@baktibarito.com
 
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[1] Khalifany-Ash Shidiqi, Antonio Di Paolo, Álvaro Choi, Earthquake exposure and schooling: Impacts and mechanisms (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272775723000444)