As the frontline workers in the waste recycling cycle, waste pickers work to protect the environment from the problems caused by waste pollution. Unfortunately, they are not yet aware of the importance of financial education and daily financial management. Therefore, special efforts are needed to instill better financial habits among waste workers, including waste pickers.
Last October 2025, which was Financial Inclusion Month, Mahija partnered with DBS Bank Indonesia’s People of Purpose program to provide financial education to more than 100 recycling workers in four communities supported by Mahija: Duren Sawit, Jurang Mangu, Bintara, and Tanah Tinggi.
How does the People of Purpose volunteer initiative, organized by the Mahija Parahita Nusantara Foundation and DBS Bank Indonesia, help foster a sense of financial sustainability among waste workers? Read on to find out more.
People of Purpose Activities in Celebration of Financial Inclusion Month for Waste Pickers
Empowering waste pickers is one of Mahija’s key initiatives. A variety of programs—ranging from outreach on appropriate employment to assistance with registering for citizenship—have been implemented.
To mark Financial Inclusion Month and address financial issues facing waste pickers—whose economic circumstances have received little attention—Mahija and DBS Bank Indonesia conducted financial education training for 100 waste pickers across four target areas.
Through this educational session, Mahija and volunteers from DBS Bank Indonesia shared basic knowledge about money management, including:
- A simple way to set aside money for daily expenses and small savings
- A practical way to track income and expenses
- How to borrow money from a reputable bank
- Explaining the importance of having an emergency fund for urgent needs.
Everything was explained in a way that was easy to understand and relevant to their daily lives. In addition to expanding their knowledge about the importance of managing their finances and daily expenses, the waste pickers participated in this training program with great enthusiasm, especially when volunteers from DBS Bank Indonesia handed out handmade piggy banks to help them realize the importance of saving.
Financial literacy is a key concern that should not be overlooked for many waste pickers, given that they are often viewed as a “marginalized” group; however, their long-standing role as the frontline workers in managing the waste supply chain should not be overlooked.
Providing financial education to waste pickers is part of the People of Purpose volunteer program at DBS Bank Indonesia, aimed at helping them feel supported and cared for regarding their financial situation and fostering better financial habits among waste pickers.
Mahija Mobile School Returns to the DBS Bank Volunteer Program
But that’s not all—we also involve the children of recycling workers in special financial literacy sessions. Through creative activities, the children learn what money is, why they should use it wisely, and the importance of saving.
Here, they are also taught how to make piggy banks out of used plastic bottles—a small step that teaches them valuable lessons about saving and recycling at the same time.
As part of a lesson on the value of money and the importance of saving, the children of waste collectors were given a learning module and were assisted by several volunteers who taught them about the importance of understanding money and saving; they were divided into several groups.
All the children of waste collectors were delighted with this financial education program. They have begun paying closer attention to how to manage their money in their daily lives and are getting into the habit of saving, so that the seeds of better financial habits are beginning to take root among them.
For Mahija and Bank DBS Indonesia, this activity is not just a commemoration of Financial Inclusion Month, but a tangible manifestation of our commitment to encourage financial independence and social sustainability for Indonesian recycling warriors.
Conclusion
This simple financial education marks the beginning of a major transformation. With a better understanding of money management, waste pickers and their families are expected to develop better financial habits and practices for managing their finances.
Along with these efforts, Mahija also provides other essential support to help ensure a safer and more prosperous daily life and future for waste pickers, including training in health literacy, nutrition, and workplace safety.