Photo: Louis Maikuin stands on behalf of the local clan at the symbolic student shelter handover ceremony led by company representatives Hassanudin Pattiroy and Daniel Sim Ayomi
MERAUKE – For Indonesia’s border communities, ensuring proper access to education still feels like a huge challenge. This sentiment resonates with Mutimangge Village in Ulilin District (Merauke Regency), whose school-going children must brave the river and long roads to reach Camp PAL Public Elementary (SDN Camp PAL) in PT Papua Agro Lestari’s area.
And their journey doesn’t end at the school gates. Students have to make the same trip back home, which often leaves them exhausted and unable to keep up with lessons.
As a solution, TSE Group company PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL) has come up with a “student shelter” — a support facility for those commuting from and to villages across its operational location.
The 135-square-meter permanent building contains two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom for the children to use before returning to their own homes.
Its inauguration on Saturday (10/3/2026) was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a symbolic key handover from PAL representatives to Louis Maikuin on behalf of the local clan and community in Mutimangge. PAL’s management and members of the village were present to watch both ceremonies.
Photo: The facility by PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL) serves to support school-going children across its operational location
“For people in Mutimangge and surrounding villages, this shelter not only eases the physical strain [of traveling], but also gives students new hope. It [will be] really useful to us,” said Maikuin, expressing his gratitude.
PAL’s Manager Hassanudin Pattiroy hoped the facility funded under the company’s Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) program would be used and maintained well.
“We hope this shelter will be maintained properly. We built this facility to show support for border communities on behalf of the private sector,” said Pattiroy. “We also want to help Ulilin children reach a brighter future without having to sacrifice so much of their time and energy on travel.”
PAL’s initiative is expected to expand the access to education and make learning easier. This will give local students better opportunities to develop their potential and achieve their goals. (PR)
