Aiptu Jacky's Initiative Creates Victory Learning House from Former Liquor Shop

The establishment of the Victory Learning House, initiated by Aiptu Jacky Jenifer Galelar in Luminda, North Wara, Palopo, South Sulawesi, has brought significant benefits to the local community. Children’s literacy levels have improved, and negative activities in the area have decreased.

Due to his dedication in founding the Victory Learning House, Aiptu Jacky has been nominated for the Hoegeng Awards 2026 programme. The learning house was built by Aiptu Jacky while he was serving as the Bhabinkamtibmas (community policing officer). He has now been transferred to the Intelligence and Security Unit at Palopo Police Resort.

The Luminda sub-district head, Frangky Lazarus, knows Aiptu Jacky as a humane police officer. According to Frangky, Aiptu Jacky implemented various programmes during his tenure as Bhabinkamtibmas, including the establishment of the Victory Learning House.

“Yes, places where young people used to hang out, he turned them into the Victory Learning House,” said Frangky.

Frangky stated that the community has greatly felt the benefits of the learning house’s presence. Children who usually spent time playing now join in learning there.

“So, children who come home from school have no activities; instead of going off to play somewhere, they end up joining. It’s quite helpful; some who didn’t learn well at school, couldn’t read… well, they can start at Victory,” said Frangky.

For Frangky, Aiptu Jacky is an approachable police officer. Aiptu Jacky is said to often help residents facing difficulties.

“Indeed, our area here has a lot of liquor, liquor-selling spots like that. So he often walks around, checking and controlling the area,” he said.

The same testimony was given by the RT head in Luminda, Serly Samsu. According to her, the community, including children, is very close to Aiptu Jacky.

“If there’s anything, he quickly comes down to the community,” she said.

She gave an example of when there was a dispute among residents in the area. Aiptu Jacky immediately stepped in to mediate.

“He’s good in the eyes of the community. So no obstacles. He quickly fixes things if there’s a problem,” added Serly.

Serly felt a sense of loss when Aiptu Jacky had to move to Palopo Police Resort. She hopes his replacement will be as good as Aiptu Jacky.

“Hopefully, the one who replaces him can continue, or Mr Jacky comes back. Even after leaving Bhabinkamtibmas, he still comes. We hope for that,” said Serly.

Aiptu Jacky’s Dedication

Aiptu Jacky was previously a candidate for the Hoegeng Corner 2025. In a conversation with detikcom some time ago, Aiptu Jacky explained that the learning house was initially held during the COVID-19 pandemic, around April 2022. The idea emerged after Aiptu Jacky saw many children just playing while schools were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“So I took the initiative so that these children also get education. So I created the learning house, initially supported by my younger siblings who are university students who voluntarily helped me teach the children,” said Aiptu Jacky. He was nominated for the Hoegeng Corner 2025 programme by the South Sulawesi Regional Police.

According to Jacky, the children in his environment tend to be free and lack attention. Meanwhile, in the area, liquor-selling stalls and cockfighting gambling arenas have emerged.

“There are many social ills like cockfighting gambling. That’s all what made me take the initiative so that the children don’t get contaminated by things like that,” said Jacky.

He then opened learning house activities to improve children’s literacy there. The residents welcomed the activity enthusiastically.

“With the learning house, it turns out it has a positive impact on the surrounding community. Those who used to gamble, open cockfighting gambling arenas. So they started to back off, it’s starting to disappear because they think ‘oh, there’s children’s activities’,” said Jacky.

Jacky also urged residents not to display negative behaviour in front of children. This appeal was supported by parents and local community figures.

“From things like that, social ills like that have started to disappear,” said Jacky.

Jacky explained that one of the places used for the learning house activities was a former liquor shop or ballo stall. He deliberately used that place to send a strong message to the residents.

“Why did I deliberately put it there? I deliberately invited them, so that the drinkers can see. Oh, there are children, especially since the ballo stall already has chairs and tables,” said Jacky.

After that, Jacky looked for a special place for the learning house and rented it with personal funds. The same for daily operational costs; Jacky set aside money from his own pocket.

“Yes, like that to prepare everything personally. Sometimes when the Chief of Police had just taken office, he saw my activities and supported with writing materials,” he added.

The teachers for the children at the learning house are Ipda Jacky and his wife, as well as volunteer university students. They teach reading and writing to character education.

“We have about 30 students,” said Jacky.

According to Jacky, many children in the area still cannot read and write. Even that affects children who are already in primary school.

“Finally, with something like that by building the learning house, it’s satisfaction for us that they can start reading, start writing,” added Jacky.

Furthermore, Jacky explained the reason the learning house is named Victory. The naming is not separate from the social conditions in his patrol area.

“My environment, if you want to say, is a tough environment, where previously there were many traditional stalls, liquor stalls, and my place used to be a gathering spot for social ills like cockfighting.”

“That’s why I named the Learning House Victory, meaning victory. With an environment like that, many children are now engaged in learning activities, learning activities.”