In a bid to support students from low-income families, the Bhumiksara Foundation’s Pemapan Scholarship Program awarded financial assistance to 30 young people from public universities across Indonesia this year.
The Bhumiksara Foundation (Yayasan Bhumiksara, YB), a Catholic charity dedicated to both the Church and the nation, cultivates future leaders committed to nurturing their Christian faith while actively contributing to the advancement of Indonesian society.
Known formally as “Pemimpin Masa Depan” or “Future Leaders,” the program, running since 2013, aims to level the playing field for students facing economic barriers to higher education.
While offering financial aid, Bhumiksara also emphasizes character-building, particularly integrity, self-discipline, and commitment, as prerequisites for the scholarship.
The foundation’s leaders say the idea is to support students with the resources to become socially conscious citizens, though not all students see the program as a fast track to leadership.
In September, the students attended a three-day retreat at St. Maria Guadalupe’s Retreat House, where sessions on ethics, mental health, and leadership were held.
Participants traveled from cities like Medan, Makassar, Denpasar, and various parts of Java, meeting with experts in psychology, spirituality, and human resources.
The sessions included workshops on anti-corruption, an issue that affects Indonesia at multiple levels, and highlighted ethical principles as a counter to social ills like nepotism and collusion.
Kadek Wina Dwi Hapsari, a student from Bali, shared her thoughts on how integrity came up as a theme: “Together we learn, together we grow, and together we can make a difference. I gained countless positive values from this national gathering.”
“Beyond that, every mentoring session was filled with insights, every discussion strengthened our sense of togetherness, and every moment deepened our sense of family,” she added.
She pointed out how the program tackled complex issues, saying problems like corruption stem from failures in personal integrity.
Mental health was a new topic for many students attending the retreat. The program included sessions on managing stress, acknowledging the psychological toll of social and academic pressures, and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health in Indonesia.
Organizers hope students take away practical skills to manage these issues, though the long-term impact remains to be seen.
