Photo: Teda Gembenop smiles after receiving support from TSE Group, an appreciation for her dedication to educating children in remote South Papua.
PAPUA SELATAN – Mornings at Miri Subvillage Elementary School always begin with small, hopeful steps. In these modest classrooms, teachers work tirelessly to educate and fill young minds with knowledge.
Teda Gembenop is no exception. As an honorary teacher at the school, she pours her heart into her students, even when the weight of daily financial needs occasionally pulls at her focus.
A sense of relief and joy arrived with the latest honorarium distribution from Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group’s Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) program. More than just financial aid, the program serves as a morale booster and an acknowledgment of her long-standing dedication. For Teda, this support is a reminder that her efforts to serve the community are seen and valued.
“As teachers, we often have to use our own money for daily essentials. This support puts our minds at ease, allowing us to focus more on the children,” Teda said on Tuesday (24/3).
Teda is not the only one feeling the positive impact. Elsewhere, Olivia Yame, a first-year student at SMKN 3 Boven Digoel, has found a new sense of motivation. Financial constraints used to force her to put aside simple dreams, like having proper school supplies. Now, thanks to a scholarship, she walks with more confidence.
“I can buy school supplies and still have some left for other needs. It makes me more excited to learn,” she remarked.
In the remote areas of South Papua, educational challenges extend beyond the classroom; distance, access, and economic limitations are constant hurdles. In such conditions, tangible support becomes a vital lifeline that strengthens hope.
Photo: TSE Group General Manager Daniel Sim Ayomi and his team symbolically hand over aid to teacher and student representatives as part of the educational support program in South Papua.
Through its CSC program, TSE Group regularly provides honoraria for teachers and scholarships for students within its operational areas. This initiative is part of the company’s commitment to growing alongside the community, specifically by improving the quality of human resources.
General Manager of TSE Group, Daniel Sim Ayomi, emphasized that a company’s contribution should be measured by its impact on the lives of those around it.
“We believe our presence must bring real benefits. Through this program, we want to support educators and students so they can keep moving forward and achieve a better future,” he stated.
While hope in South Papua often grows in simple settings, TSE Group remains committed to expanding educational access, strengthening human resource capacity, and driving inclusive, sustainable development across the region. (PR)
