As an organization established to empower waste workers and their families, Mahija Parahita Nusantara is also collaborating with a foundation called Mentari Group on a book donation drive for hundreds of children of waste pickers.
This initiative took place in September 2025, coinciding with International Literacy Day, and was a gesture of support for the children of waste workers, providing them with a source of knowledge and a window to the world through the donation of quality books.
The Mahija Parahita Nusantara Foundation received a donation of more than 2,613 books from Mentari Group, a leading education provider in Indonesia that offers integrated solutions for the education sector and actively contributes to the development of high-quality human resources.
Read this article to learn about the book donation drive for the children of waste workers.
Mahija and Mentari Group Collaboration Event
For the children of waste workers, ensuring they have equal access to education and the opportunity to pursue knowledge is, in fact, a responsibility shared by many in society. Mahija is well aware of this issue and has seized a valuable opportunity by partnering with Mentari Group to provide books to one of the communities it supports.
These books offer hope to the children of waste workers, helping them broaden their horizons and develop strengths that rival those of children from more privileged backgrounds. This collaborative event was organized and attended by key representatives from both Mahija and the Mentari Group.
These textbooks and reading materials were presented by Bunga Mega, Head of Marketing Communications at Mentari Group, to Ardhina Zaiza, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mahija Parahita Nusantara Foundation, at one of the collection partners located in South Tangerang.
This donation is a tangible expression of our commitment to expanding access to literacy for children, especially those from families of waste collectors. The donated books include a variety of titles, such as:
- workbooks for preschoolers
- textbooks for elementary school students
- All the way to various storybooks
This book donation for hundreds of children who work as waste pickers is not only being distributed at the Collection Center in South Tangerang, but will also be sent to Mahija Alternative School and various communities supported by Mahija, so that more children will have the opportunity to learn about the world through meaningful reading.
This joint book donation event organized by Mahija and Mentari Group took place in a joyful and cheerful atmosphere, evident in the faces of all the children of waste collectors in the South Tangerang community, as well as the organizers. The children felt special and cared for, even though they received only book donations; yet those books turned out to be meaningful to them, as their parents have limited means to meet their basic needs.
Behind this reality, the book donation event serves as a gesture of support for literacy inclusion and the equitable distribution of educational opportunities, ensuring that children of waste pickers have the chance to engage in reading activities and pursue their passion for reading.
A Message from the Organizers of the Book Donation Collaboration Event
Key figures at the book donation event for hundreds of children who work as waste pickers also shared messages about opportunities for collaboration to reignite hope by donating 2,613 books to these children. Among them was Ardhina Zaiza, who emphasized the importance of this support for the communities assisted by Mahija.
“We are committed to supporting waste collectors and their families, particularly in the area of education. The book donation from Mentari Group is a meaningful contribution to fostering a love of reading, while also offering new hope to the children of waste-picking families. We are deeply grateful for this collaboration, which helps strengthen literacy within our community,” said Ardhina.
In line with this, Bunga Mega stated that this collaboration aligns with Mentari Group’s values and vision. “We believe that education is the cornerstone of building the nation’s future. Through our collaboration with Mahija, Mentari Group is committed to expanding children’s access to literacy, both through Mahija Alternative School and other initiatives such as Mahija Mobile School. We hope this support can be part of the children’s long journey to grow with knowledge, courage, and hope,” said Bunga.
It turns out that both Mahija and Mentari Group share the same vision regarding educational equity and access for children of waste pickers. This aligns with Mahija’s vision, which focuses on improving the living standards of waste pickers, and Mentari Group’s mission, which aims to provide access to education and develop a generation of high-caliber human resources.
Conclusion
This collaboration between Mentari Group and the Mahija Parahita Nusantara Foundation is not merely a book donation for hundreds of children who work as waste pickers; rather, it is a step we are taking to drive social transformation through literacy, provide inclusive access to education, and build a more empowered future generation for our nation.