Indonesia
Higher education for youth
Providing higher education for youth in Indonesia so they can break free from poverty
Education & Training
The Need
Compassion believes a young person’s economic status should not determine whether they get the chance to pursue their dreams. However, in countries like Indonesia, higher education is so expensive it is beyond the financial reach of most parents, who earn a living as seasonal or day labourers. Without higher education, like vocational training or college and university, young people who graduate high school are only eligible for unskilled jobs, like shopkeepers or petrol station officers. Sadly, these young people have very little hope of breaking generational cycles of poverty.
Of the 46 million adolescents in Indonesia, nearly one in four 15- to 19-year-olds are not in school, employed or in training. Sadly, even younger students—especially those from rural, isolated communities—are at risk of school exclusion. A UNICEF report on education disparity in Indonesia found that students age 13 to 15 from impoverished households are five times more likely to be out of school than those from the wealthiest households.
Many young men and women living in poverty work hard to succeed in school, but without the financial resources to pay for tuition, transportation and other school-related fees, they have little hope of enrolling in higher education. Seven of Compassion’s frontline church partners identified 20 high-achieving young people who had a strong desire to pursue post-secondary school. However, these students live in extreme poverty and would need additional support to achieve their goals.
Our Response
To help 20 high-performing young men and women from Indonesia pursue their dream of a higher education, Compassion worked alongside seven frontline churches to cover tuition for each student. Thanks to your generous support, 13 students have graduated from their programs and the remaining students are completing their final semesters and are set to graduate later in 2025.
We are happy to report that many of the students who graduated have already found jobs or are establishing their own small businesses. For example, Fresca graduated from the tourism program with a 3.89 GPA and now works preparing food and beverages at a five-star hotel. Her new job has allowed her to not only support herself but also her family. Another student, Danasia, graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine. She has since published a book and is pursuing an entrepreneurial career. Some students, like Edward, are continuing to pursue their education. Edward completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology and graduated cum laude in March 2024. Due to his exceptional grades, he was chosen to speak on behalf of his fellow students at the graduation ceremony. Edward is currently enrolled in a master’s program and hopes to work as a psychologist and teacher.
The remaining seven students who have not yet graduated are all excelling in school and are excited to complete their final classes and graduate within the coming months. Over the course of this intervention, all the participating students have shown incredible commitment to their education and their futures. Not only have they developed academic skills in their fields of study, but they have also developed life skills such as time management and self-confidence. These students have shown a commitment to helping others and some have started supporting their families with the income they are earning from their jobs. Students have expressed their deep gratitude for this opportunity, and many are excited to serve others in their communities.
Activities
Internships: Some of the students participated in internships as part of their program. Gracia and Carolina were both enrolled in teaching programs. Gracia had the opportunity to teach students at a local school, and Carolina completed her internship at a district office.
New jobs: Many of the participants have graduated from their programs and have found jobs. For example, Fresca, who is working at a hotel and Rizky launched a small coffee shop business with his friends. Some students like Divka and Sinitka worked part-time while completing their degrees.
Graduation: So far, 13 of the participating students have graduated from school. They were proud to attend their graduation ceremonies. Edward, who studied psychology, received some of the best grades in his entire graduating class and was selected to deliver a speech at his graduation ceremony.
Your Gift Provides...
Your generous gift funded college and university tuition fees for 20 students:
– Divka, studying nursing at STIKES Bethesda Yakkum, Yogyakarta
– Sintika, studying mathematics education at Universitas Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta
– Gracia, studying primary teacher education at Universitas Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta
– Ananda, studied hospitality at STIPRAM Yogyakarta and graduated in May 2024
– Margaretta, studying Christian education at Universitas Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta
– Uria, studying nursing at STIKES Bethesda Yakkum, Yogyakarta
– Yehezkiel, studied civil engineering at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta and graduated in November 2024
– Estevienia, studying psychology at Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta
– Marrifa, studied accounting at Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana Yogyakarta and graduated in March 2024
– Zireh studied mechanical engineering at Universitas Solo and is set to graduate in early 2025
– Carolina, studying primary teacher education at Universitas Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa Yogyakarta
– Fresca, studied tourism at STIPRAM Yogyakarta and graduated in July 2024
– Rizki, studied law at Atma Jaya Yogyakarta and graduated in 2024
– Novebria studied veterinary medicine at Universitas Gadjah Mada and graduated in January 2025
– Danasia, studied veterinary medicine at Universitas Gadjah Mada and graduated in August 2023
– Sifra studied agricultural product technology at Universitas Gadjah Mada and graduated in August 2023
– Vania, studied psychology at Universitas Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa Yogyakarta and graduated in December 2024
– Apfia, studied Indonesian literature at Universitas Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta and graduated in September 2024
– Intan, studied nursing at STIKES Panti Rapih Yogyakarta and graduated in September 2022
– Edward, studied psychology at Universitas Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa Yogyakarta and graduated in March 2024
ReportA message from those your gift helped
Before this intervention, my family barely had enough to meet our daily needs. However, my parents always prioritized it, ensuring that their children received a proper education. Despite the financial strain, they made every effort to support my university education, even though it was a significant burden for them to cover the costs.
After receiving support from this intervention, my family experienced tremendous benefits. The support provided eased the financial burden on my parents by covering the costs of my education. As a result, I was able to achieve my dream of pursuing a higher education—something I initially feared might remain out of reach.
The assistance I received has brought significant changes to my life—it has given me the promise of a brighter future. This support has been instrumental in helping me achieve my dreams. My parents, in their later years, are profoundly grateful to see me working toward and realizing my dreams, which was largely made possible by this intervention.
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that financial limitations should not be seen as obstacles to achieving dreams or building a better future. With determination, there is always a way. Through this program, I have witnessed how God works in every step of my journey.
Thank you to everyone who has helped me through this intervention. I hope and pray that in the future, my friends and I who have benefited from this program can become individuals who are not only successful but also capable of helping others in need.
May all those who have supported us always enjoy good health, abundant blessings, kindness and happiness from God in their lives. I extend my deepest gratitude to you all.
ReportThank you for your generosity
Accessing higher education can be a challenge for students around the world, especially for those living in poverty. But thanks to your generous gift, 20 high-achieving young people have been able to pursue their dreams at a university, studying in a field of their choice. Because of your support, 13 students have graduated, and the remaining students are set to graduate within the coming months. Through this opportunity, these young men and women have developed the skills, knowledge and tools needed to enter the workforce and excel in their careers.
Here are a few updates from some of the students you helped:
Sifra completed her bachelor’s degree in agricultural product technology at Universitas Gadjah Mada in August 2023 with a GPA of 3.63. That same month she was hired at a national-level company that produces herbal drinks and traditional medicines as the Research and Development Supervisor. Sifra is still involved in her supervisor’s research at her university, attending international conferences, where she speaks to groups of attendees.
Marrifa studied accounting and graduated in March 2024. She quickly found employment at a large company in Yogyakarta, working in their logistics department. She is grateful that she can now support herself and help her family.
Sintika is studying mathematics education at Universitas Sanata Dharma. She is in her final semester and holds a GPA of 3.42. She is currently completing her thesis. She is continuing her studies with the support of her family. After she graduates, she plans to pursue her dream of becoming a mathematics teacher.
Rizki completed his bachelor’s degree program in Law and graduated with a 3.43 GPA. After graduation, he launched a small coffee shop business with his friends and has been earning an income as an entrepreneur. In the next year, he plans to write the test to become a government employee.
Estevienia is finishing her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta. She is in her last semester and is working to complete her thesis. She currently has a GPA of 3.66 and is excited to graduate in mid 2025. She has been working part-time to get job experience and to support her own education.
Yehezkiel completed his bachelor’s degree program in civil engineering at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta with a GPA of 3.55. He joined the Fresh Graduate Development Program and Management Trainee Program to help him build networks and expand his future job opportunities.
Your generous support has helped students in Indonesia like Rizki, Sintika, Sifra and many more pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. Our church partners report noticeable changes in all of the students, not just academically but in their personal lives as well. These students have worked hard to get where they are today and express their sincere gratitude for the support they have received. Thanks to your gift, these young people will go on to inspire others in their communities, creating real and lasting change.
ReportA message from a centre director
This intervention has had a profoundly positive impact on our students. Initially, many of them did not dare to dream of pursuing higher education due to their families’ financial constraints. However, this support has provided them with the encouragement and opportunity to aim higher. Most of these students are high achievers, but their potential was hindered by their economic backgrounds. With this assistance, they were able to pursue a higher education, and upon graduation, secure better employment opportunities.
This assistance has brought hope and confidence to the Compassion centre and the church in their mission to help as many children as possible–especially underprivileged youth—achieve their dreams. Our efforts go beyond mere words of encouragement or motivational support. Through this intervention, we have tangibly eased the financial burden of higher education.
We have become increasingly confident in encouraging children and youth to pursue the education they aspire to. Alumni now serve as role models, showing others that they should not fear dreaming big and that success in higher education is achievable. This program has empowered us to provide even greater support to our students, guiding them toward success in their academic journeys and beyond.
This ministry that you have supported has the power to change the lives of many young people from underprivileged families, giving them the opportunity to create a brighter future. What you are doing is truly noble and impactful. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity. Our prayer is that God will abundantly bless you for all the good you have done for us.
Sending you warm regards and prayers. Thank you for everything.