Minds United Launches Companion Mentor Programme Batch Two
Social empowerment organisation Minds United has launched its Companion Mentor Programme Batch 2, a national initiative aimed at improving literacy and educational access for disadvantaged children, orphans, and persons with disabilities across various regions in Indonesia.
The programme has emerged as a response to continuing limited educational access for vulnerable groups. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik/BPS) in 2024 showed that 17.85 per cent of persons with disabilities in Indonesia have never received formal education. Additionally, as of July 2025, there remain 2,238 orphanages that have not achieved accreditation, indicating ongoing challenges in funding, facilities, and mentoring capacity.
Through this programme, Minds United is engaging university students from various regions as agents of social change. A total of 357 students registered, and following a selection process, 73 participants from Aceh to West Papua have been chosen to conduct mentoring activities over a two to three-month period.
The Companion Mentors will conduct social needs identification in their respective regions through a canvassing approach. They will design activities based on real solutions aligned with local needs.
The programme is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, particularly the objectives of Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities.
Programme implementation is supported through collaboration with Punya Skill Academy as a mentoring partner and Yayasan Sinergi Aksi Peduli as a donor partner.
Fadil, Project Manager for Companion Mentor Programme Batch 2, emphasised the importance of a professional approach in social activities.
“Assistance to vulnerable groups must have measurable impact and good monitoring to ensure benefits are genuinely felt,” he stated.
Through this programme, Minds United hopes to nurture young leaders capable of delivering sustainable social solutions whilst strengthening more inclusive educational access across Indonesia.