Grace's Blog

  Pelita Edukasi Initiative To ignite lasting change in Indonesia by improving the quality of public education in Jakarta through teacher training, student enrichment, and community-based learning innovation. Why I’m Passionate Jakarta is where I grew up. Indonesia is home to over 50 million students, but its public education system ranks among the lowest in Southeast Asia for quality. In Jakarta, the disparity between private and public schools reinforces inequality daily. Teachers often lack training, resources are scarce, and students are taught to memorize, not to think. I am passionate about this work because education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change. I believe that by supporting teachers and students where the need is greatest, we can open doors that have been closed for too long. Uniqueness Rather than trying to overhaul the system, Nusa Education Initiative works within it, starting with partnerships at the school level a...

End morning supremacy. Morning people have always dominated the narrative; they tend to think that their way of life is most productive. Sayings like "the early bird gets the worm," and self-help books that glorify 5 AM routines prove this bias. However, the reality that not everyone operates best in the mornings is overlooked. There has always been a lazy connotation associated with sleeping in and night owls. But I personally experience peak creativity, focus, and energy during late hours.  I think that there are no right and wrong times a person can wake up. Early birds and night owls can both be efficient in their own way, and there is no need to deem one superior.  Early birds and night owls have a completely different perspective of the same day. For example, I wake up at around noon during my summer, and my dad wakes up at 7AM every morning. Before I get to my late lunch, my dad is on the couch, yawning and his eyes half-open. My dad had gone through his day when I was...

When I think about making the world a better place, I think about where I grew up, Jakarta, Indonesia. Growing up there, I saw both the beauty and the struggle. Particularly, the big gap between the rich and the poor. The problems are huge and deeply systemic, rooted in years of inequality, limited access to education, and poor infrastructure.  When I gave some thought to what taking action would look like, I tried to think of a path as feasible as possible. Maybe I could work in consulting to help small businesses grow, or start a program that teaches young people in low-income areas about financial literacy, so they can take control of their futures. My first step toward making the world better is going back to where it all started. I want to use what I’ve learned to help the people and the city that shaped me. Even small changes can make a big difference, and Jakarta is where I would hope to begin.