Wae Moto Students' Enthusiasm for Learning Boosted by PNM School Revitalisation

In a corner of West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, lies Wae Moto Village, located in a frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) region. In an area with limited access, a school is not merely a building for learning, but a space where hope is nurtured. For the children of Wae Moto, education is a path to break the cycle of deprivation while opening up broader opportunities for the future. However, their enthusiasm has long coexisted with learning facilities that require attention, from school infrastructure to sanitation and cleanliness amenities that are not yet fully adequate.

Coinciding with National Children’s Day 2026, which carries the theme ‘Love Children, Protect and Build the Future’, PNM, a women’s economic empowerment institution under the auspices of Danantara, delivered a simple yet impactful initiative for SD Inpres Wae Moto through its PNM Peduli programme. This act of care was translated into a school revitalisation project.

This spirit is reflected in Mariva Yankezia, a 10-year-old student who comes to school every day with a simple yet deeply meaningful conviction. ‘I stay enthusiastic about school because I know my parents work hard so I can pursue knowledge. I want to study diligently so I can make them proud,’ she said in a written statement on Friday (24/7/2026). Behind that simple sentence lies the story of many children in Wae Moto who understand that every step towards school is the fruit of their parents’ struggle. This awareness makes education not just an obligation, but a form of respect for family sacrifice.

Through PNM Peduli, care for children’s futures was realised by renovating classrooms to make them safer and more comfortable, improving sanitation facilities and school hygiene access, and providing equipment and infrastructure according to needs gathered in collaboration with the school. This effort stems from the belief that a proper learning environment is an essential part of shaping educational quality. Furthermore, in a region still facing challenges in access to clean water and sanitation facilities, the presence of hygiene amenities not only supports student health but also creates a more humane learning space so that children can grow, learn, and dream with greater confidence.

PNM President Director Kindaris revealed the company’s important role in empowering Mekaar mothers, which has implications for safeguarding the hopes of its customers’ children for a more prosperous life. ‘Empowerment is not just about providing capital, but equally important is business mentoring so that the benefits are felt by the family, especially the children. I hope that in 15 years, when they begin to reach their dreams, they will remember that today PNM believed in their dreams,’ said Kindaris. For PNM, empowerment does not stop at a mother’s business, but must also flow to her children’s future. At SD Inpres Wae Moto, 14 of the 64 students are children of PNM Mekaar customers. Through PNM Peduli, PNM has provided learning spaces, sanitation facilities, and better school amenities so that children can learn safely, healthily, and keep their dreams alive.