In pursuing its vision to empower waste workers, Mahija also places great emphasis on the future of their children. One factor that significantly shapes their future is education. Therefore, education for the children of waste workers is a top priority, as many children from these families still lack access to a proper education.
On this occasion, Mahija Parahita Nusantara, in collaboration with DBS Bank, launched an educational program for the children of waste workers. The program, called the DBS X Mahija Mobile School, provides educational support to children of waste workers in several communities where the organization operates.
The main objectives of this program include ensuring equal access to education for the children of waste workers, and the program consists of various activities, both in-house and outdoors. Read on for more details about this initiative.
The DBS Bank X Mahija “People of Purpose” Program for an Educational Performance for Children of Waste Pickers
Most families of waste workers live in modest economic circumstances. This often makes it difficult for them to provide their children with a proper education. These conditions have the potential to perpetuate the cycle of poverty from one generation to the next.
In light of this situation, Mahija has partnered with DBS Bank to provide a solution through a volunteer program called “People of Purpose.” This program was designed as part of an effort to provide education for the children of waste workers while opening up broader learning opportunities for them.
This program has been running since 2024 and continues to this day, offering a variety of educational activities. One of the program’s main focuses is to ensure equitable access to education for the children of waste workers in the various communities supported by Mahija.
Volunteers from DBS Bank play an active role in this program. They not only contribute as donors but also go out into the field to teach the children.
The educational materials provided cover basic mathematics and simple English, which can help children improve their academic skills. These learning activities take place in several areas supported by the Mahija Foundation.
To date, approximately 100 children of waste workers have participated in this program. Some of them come from areas under our supervision, such as the Duren Sawit and Johar Baru landfills.
In addition to participating in classroom activities with volunteers from DBS Bank and Mahija, the children were also invited to take part in various engaging activities designed to broaden their horizons and make their learning experience more enjoyable.
Here are some of the activities included in the DBS x Mahija Mobile School program.
1. Learning from the Outside World
One of the activities in this program is providing children with the opportunity to learn from environments outside the classroom. This activity takes the form of Exploration Day, an educational visit to the National Museum in Jakarta.
Through this activity, the children not only enjoy an educational outing but also learn various things about social behavior in public spaces. They are taught how to use public transportation, how to wait in line orderly in public places, and the importance of behaving politely in public settings.
About 100 children of garbage collectors took part in the visit to the National Museum. While at the museum, they had the opportunity to view various historical collections and cultural artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the era of the kingdoms in Indonesia.
In addition to learning about history, the children also enjoyed taking photos together in one of the museum’s areas, which features a marble map of Indonesia as a backdrop. This moment became a valuable experience for them in learning about the nation’s history and culture.
This activity is an important part of efforts to provide education for children of waste workers through hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom.
2. Understanding Currency Values
Another program run by DBS Bank Indonesia and Mahija is educating children about the value of money and the basics of financial management.
In this activity, children are introduced to basic concepts about money, such as the importance of saving and how to manage expenses wisely. One of the activities involves making piggy banks out of used plastic bottles as a way to learn about saving. In addition, the children are taught how to count money and understand the concepts of income and expenses in everyday life.
Through this initiative, education for the children of waste workers focuses not only on academic subjects but also helps them develop financial literacy from an early age.
With this understanding, it is hoped that children will be able to manage their finances more wisely in the future and develop the ability to become more financially independent.
3. Jejak Bintang Mission Performance
In addition to learning activities and educational field trips, this program also provides opportunities for children to develop their creativity and self-confidence through art activities.
One of the activities held was an arts performance titled “Misi Jejak Bintang.” During this event, the children were given the opportunity to perform in front of the volunteers and their friends.
Through this performance, the children were able to showcase their various talents, such as singing, dancing, and reciting poetry. Some children even had the confidence to sing songs in English.
This activity is not only a form of entertainment, but also a way for children to build their courage and develop their cognitive skills.
The “Misi Jejak Bintang” arts performance also fostered a sense of camaraderie between the volunteers and the children participating in the program. Through this activity, the volunteers sought to provide an enjoyable yet meaningful experience for the children of waste workers who need extra attention and support.
Conclusion
The Mahija Foundation, along with its partner, DBS Bank Indonesia, and all the volunteers, are delighted to have had the opportunity to give back to the children of waste pickers. Providing education to the children of waste pickers is a way for Mahija to show its commitment to improving the well-being of waste pickers’ families; while the effort may not be a huge one, the tangible result—shared happiness—is truly felt by all.