Photo : Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group Public Relations leader Park Jibae receiving an award plaque from Sister Maria Bertha on Sunday (8/3/2025)
BOVEN DIGOEL – St. Yosef Dormitory from Putri Reinha Rosari Convent was falling apart. Over the years, its young members had to endure living at the facility whose wooden walls were continuously cracking, roofs continually leaking, and rooms feeling stuffier than ever.
Moved by compassion, some groups of people soon came together to repair the crumbling site. Through aid from multiple stakeholders in the public and private sectors, St. Yosef Dormitory has become much sturdier with a chapel for spiritual support, a dry kitchen, a huge dining hall, tidy bedrooms, and adequate bathrooms.
One contributor to this revamp project was Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, which sent building materials.
“We believe our responsibilities aren’t limited to our organization, shareholders, and clients, but include the society in which we live. [Helping build] this dormitory is part of that responsibility, that commitment to enhancing the social environment of local communities,” said Park Jibae — TSE Group’s Public Relations General Manager — at the reopening of St. Yosef Sunday (8/3) in Asiki, Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency.
Park attended as a recipient of a plaque awarded to TSE Group for its role in the renovation work.
Photo: Public and private donors (both corporate and individual) were moved to lend their support for the revamp of Putri Reinha Rosari Convent building in Asiki
The list of guests also included the Archbishop of Merauke Msgr. Petrus Canisius Mandagi, South Papuan Governor Apolo Safanpo, South Papua’s Papua’s People Assembly Chairman Damianus Katayu, Boven Digoel’s Regional People’s Representative Council leader Simon Aka, Boven Digoel Regent Hengky Yaluwo, other relevant government officials, and local stakeholders.
Sister Maria Bertha, on behalf of the Putri Reinha Rosari Convent’s Papuan Regional Board, praised the construction donors and everyone supporting.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone helping with the construction of our new dormitory in Asiki. We didn’t think there would be this much support, or that we’d hold such a grand reopening ceremony, so this building is [definitely] a product of utmost dedication and teamwork. [Most of all,] I hope the kids will find it a nice place to stay in.”
Donating construction materials isn’t new to TSE Group. From its inception, the palm oil giant has committed to actively participating in community development, mainly in remote areas through Corporate Social Contribution initiatives. St. Yosef marks a stronger effort to empower South Papuan communities from the Group and the broader private sector in partnership with government bodies and religious institutions. (PR)
