Marriott International Indonesia continues its commitment in community empowerment initiatives with the launch of EdTech Project, an educational partnership between Marriott Business Council Bali and Bali Children Foundation (BCF). With an aim to revolutionize education by integrating the cutting-edge Education Technology (EdTech) solutions into four schools in Songan Village, the project facilitates personalized learning experiences for elementary students in the remote area.
Marriott Business Council Bali Partners with Bali Children Foundation in Launching EdTech Project
On 12 and 14 December 2023, the EdTech Project team visited Sekolah Dasar Negeri 2, 5, 6, and 8 in Songan Village for programme assessments and further celebrating the milestone, Marriott International’s hotels and resorts in Bali will curate engaging activities including fun games, quizzes, educational sessions and school lunch with the students.
"As we venture into Songan Village with the EdTech Project, we believe in the power of education to transform communities," said Titus Rosier, General Manager of W Bali – Seminyak and Chairman of Marriott Business Council Indonesia. "Through the Marriott Business Council Bali and our collaboration with the Bali Children Foundation, we aim to provide students with the tools to unlock their potential and shape a brighter future.”
Marriott Business Council Bali and Bali Children Foundation (BCF) started their collaboration in 2017, focusing on school refurbishments in Songan Village supported by Marriott International’s 'Run to Give' charity fund. The initiative also involves scholarship awards for BCF’s students, benefiting over 3,000 students in less accessible areas. This year, EdTech Project is launched to transform education through technology to enhance literacy and numeracy skills for students from the early stages of elementary school by utilizing numerous interactive applications, such as “Belajar Membaca”, “Belajar Menghitung”, “1st 2nd Math”, and “Sekolah Enuma”. This combined initiative has brought 93% of pupils to basic competency.
“Marriott Business Council Bali's unwavering support is essential in Bali Children Foundation's vision where we ensure Bali's remote children leave Elementary school with the full set of skills required to succeed at High school and beyond,” said Margaret Barry, Founder of Bali Children Foundation. Margaret added, “EdTech project also extends to provide Bahasa Indonesia course in order to foster a shared national identity by addressing academic proficiency and underscores the importance of learning Bahasa Indonesia.”
Nestled within the Mount Batur caldera in Kintamani, Bali, Songan Village grapples with the distinctive challenges associated with accessing quality education. The EdTech Project aspires to surmount these hurdles, leveraging cutting-edge technology to afford students in Songan Village an enriched learning experience. Aligned with Marriott’s Serve360 commitment, specifically under Nurture Our World, the initiative exemplifies Marriott International’s dedication in supporting the communities where each property operates.
"We believe that access to quality education is a fundamental right for every child, regardless of their geographical location. By leveraging innovation and technology, we bridge the educational gaps in the young learners in Songan Village," said Martin Ehlers, General Manager of Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa and Co-chair of Marriott Business Council Bali. "This project reflects our commitment to serving not just as hoteliers but as catalysts for positive change in Bali and Beyond."
Having served as a founding charity partner for Marriott Business Council Bali over an extended duration, BCF underscores a shared dedication to community empowerment through education. This pioneering initiative marks a significant progression in the collaboration, with a focused objective to instigate positive change and augment the educational landscape for local children in the remote confines of Songan Village. By infusing technology into the educational tapestry, the project envisions a future where every child in the village enjoys access to quality education, unlocking doors to a brighter and more promising future.
