Narangata Loru (Champions from Loru Village)

“This project is about learning back to our roots. The youth learned the wisdom of their grandparents—values that are disappearing in modern times—and realized that sustainability begins from the land, the culture, and the people.”

The goal of the project is to Improve the quality of education and providing relevant education in Loru through contextual education and local youth participation.

Main Objectives:

• Introducing and sharing understanding about contextual education to the local youth through various practices based on local wisdom
• Developing leadership capacity of local youth involved in the project
• Create the basis for establishing an active community learning centre in Loru (long-term).
• Improving Banuamentor’s capacity to create contextual education prototyping in rural community, particularly in Central Sulawesi
• Expanding network of Banuamentor with other experts and organisations
• Building the project manager’s capacity in managing sustainable development project and leading team
• Expanding network of project manager with other experts and organisations

The “Narangata Loru” project, initiated by Nur Rina Maskayanti through Banuamentor, aimed to improve the quality of education in Loru Village, Central Sulawesi, by developing contextual learning opportunities rooted in local wisdom. The project trained 20 local youth (11 men, 9 women) in leadership, organic farming, child rights, and social entrepreneurship, adapting activities to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite delays, the project successfully established a community learning center, revitalized local gardening, and engaged children in traditional games and fun learning activities.

The project followed a structured approach: pre-training (planning, team-building, and stakeholder engagement), training (delivered in small groups with COVID-safe protocols), and post-training (implementation and reflection). The training sessions, led by local experts, addressed leadership based on local culture, sustainable agriculture, child protection, and small enterprise development. Post-training, youth champions implemented their learnings by launching small businesses (e.g., selling organic fertilizer, fish farming, ornamental plants), organizing educational activities for over 100 children, and maintaining a shared organic garden.

The project's lasting impact includes the creation of Narangata Community Learning Centre, designed with eco-friendly, locally sourced materials, and now serving as a hub for contextual learning in Loru. It empowered youth to reconnect with their cultural roots, built confidence, and encouraged them to apply their skills for community benefit. Several participants have since joined regional training programs, and one youth champion, Riski, was selected for a prestigious youth leadership initiative. The project also expanded Banuamentor’s partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and educational institutions, setting a strong foundation for future rural education initiatives.