Help Build a School for Underprivileged Children

Poverty in Indonesia remains strongly concentrated among farmers and rural communities. A large share of poor households continue to rely on agriculture as their main source of income. According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), in March 2021 51.33% of poor households depended on agriculture, while 29.69% relied on non-agricultural sectors, and 12.90% had no employment at all. Although agriculture is widely promoted as the backbone of national food security, the lived reality for many farmers is marked by economic insecurity. Discourses on food sovereignty have yet to translate into meaningful income stability for farming households. As a result, persistent poverty has pushed many rural families to leave agriculture—often without escaping poverty. In this context of widespread poverty and unemployment, agriculture has not become an attractive or viable pathway for most young people.

Indonesia is also facing a serious crisis in farmer regeneration. Despite the country’s agrarian identity, national statistics show a steady decline in the number of farmers. In West Java, for instance, the largest proportion of farmers falls within the 45–49 age group, while those aged 30–44 account for less than one quarter, and farmers under 30 remain extremely rare. This demographic imbalance signals a weakening future for the agricultural sector.

Earlier studies reinforce this trend, showing that less than half of farmers’ children are willing to continue farming, while many actively reject agriculture as a livelihood option. Between 2003 and 2013 alone, Indonesia lost 5.1 million farmers, and projections indicate that if this pattern continues, the country could face a dramatic shortage of farmers within the coming decades. One of the strongest drivers of this crisis is low income. On average, farmers earn approximately USD 3.81 per day, significantly less than wages in construction or urban employment. This income gap makes agriculture an increasingly unattractive and irrational choice for younger generations.

Enabling Young People to Practice Modern and Ecological Agriculture

Reducing poverty in agriculture requires addressing multiple structural barriers. Farmers often face limited access to capital and markets, outdated production methods, shrinking landholdings, and environmentally harmful practices that increase costs and reduce sustainability.

Punthuk Sewu responds to these challenges through an applied and science-based educational model. First, the program provides practical training grounded in environmental conservation and circular economy principles. Agricultural practices emphasize farmer independence from expensive and harmful external inputs. Participants learn to produce their own fertilizers and natural pesticides, reducing costs while strengthening ecological sustainability. Permaculture principles are introduced as a foundation for building resilient and regenerative farming systems.

Second, the program encourages young people to manage agriculture in a more efficient and market-oriented way. Through scientific analysis and commodity assessment, participants learn to identify economically viable crops and livestock. This approach helps reduce production costs—particularly in organic farming—while increasing product value. Stronger market awareness enables young farmers to enter agriculture with greater confidence and reduced risk of loss.

Third, Punthuk Sewu places strong emphasis on scientific thinking, including experimentation and basic laboratory practices. In a context where formal education often fails to develop critical and analytical skills, the program integrates science directly into agricultural and livestock management. These competencies not only strengthen farming practices but also provide transferable skills that remain valuable beyond the agricultural sector.

Why Support Us?

Every contribution through GlobalGiving directly strengthens our educational facilities and improves the quality of our learning services. Your support allows young people from farming families to develop their potential by building on the knowledge and resources already present in their communities. Quality education remains one of the most effective pathways to breaking cycles of poverty.

What We Plan Next

We aim to establish a certified vocational education center that expands access to affordable—and for some groups, free—skills training. These competencies will improve young people’s employability while supporting those who choose to build independent, community-based enterprises.

By investing in young people today, we are laying the foundation for sustainable agriculture, resilient rural livelihoods, and a more secure future for Indonesia’s farming communities.

Mathematics proficiency among students in Indonesia remains a significant challenge. Based on the PISA 2022 international assessment, Indonesia ranked 64th out of 81 countries, with an average score of 366, far below the OECD average of 500. Alarmingly, around 82% of Indonesian students aged 15 perform below the minimum proficiency level in mathematics, placing them at Level 1a, where students are only able to solve very basic mathematical problems.

These national figures, however, mask a deeper and more structural issue: the wide gap between rural and urban students.

Children in urban areas generally benefit from better learning environments, including access to tutoring, digital resources, well-equipped schools, and exposure to problem-solving–oriented teaching methods. In contrast, students in rural communities often face limited learning facilities, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supporting educational resources.

The gap is further reinforced by differences in teacher capacity and availability. Rural schools frequently struggle to attract and retain qualified mathematics teachers, while professional development opportunities are more accessible in urban centers. As a result, rural students are less likely to receive engaging, concept-based mathematics instruction that builds critical thinking and confidence.

This inequality has long-term consequences. Mathematics is a foundational skill that influences academic progression, problem-solving ability, and access to future opportunities in science, technology, and skilled employment. Without deliberate efforts to equalize access and quality, underprivileged children—especially those from rural and low-income families—remain trapped in cycles of educational disadvantage.

Bridging this mathematical divide requires intentional investment in equity: strengthening learning facilities, improving teacher capacity, and expanding access to community-based learning support for underprivileged families. By improving access to quality mathematics education, we not only raise academic performance but also empower children with the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Ensuring equal opportunities in mathematics education is not simply about improving test scores—it is about fairness, inclusion, and giving every child the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of where they are born.