^{Scripps College Centennial Anniversary in Jakarta}

There are moments in life that do not begin with grand plans, but with something far simpler: a memory, a deep affection for a place that once shaped us, and a quiet wish to share what we have gained. That is where this strategic collaboration between Yayasan Wadah Titian Harapan (Wadah), Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo (YAD), and Scripps College in the United States begins.

From an Alumna’s Commitment

This collaboration did not emerge from formal meetings alone. It grew from the initiative of Sitie Indrawati Djojohadikusumo, a Scripps College alumna who now serves as Chair of the Supervisory Board of Yayasan Wadah Titian Harapan and Vice Chair of Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo. Drawing on her academic experience at Scripps, she saw a rare opportunity: to connect the energy of well-educated young people from around the world with the lived realities of communities on the ground.

For her, this is not simply an exchange program; it is a form of giving back to the institution that helped shape her – a “giving back” that reaches beyond profession and nationality. That vision took shape through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 9 February 2026 in Jakarta.

A Practical Collaboration Between Three Institutions

^{Signing of cooperation agreement between Wadah, YAD and Scripps College}

This partnership brings together three institutions, each contributing its distinct strengths, and channels them into a structured international volunteering programme—an ecosystem designed to support and strengthen one another.

Yayasan Wadah Titian Harapan acts as an empowerment facilitator, connecting international volunteers with local communities. Through a “community-based development” approach, students are invited to see how empowerment works at the grassroots level: listening to what communities truly need, understanding social and cultural dynamics, and contributing to programmes that have already proven to create real change. Here, students learn that genuine empowerment is not about handing over solutions, but about strengthening each individual’s capacity so that they can face their own challenges.

Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo serves as a centre for nature-based learning. Here, Scripps College students take part directly in activities such as endangered wildlife rehabilitation, ecosystem recovery, and community-based conservation. They do not simply observe—they become part of the real process: contributing directly to the care of affected wildlife, assisting in habitat restoration, and documenting the progress of ongoing conservation programmes.

Scripps College is a prestigious international institution of higher education based in Southern California, United States. It was founded in 1926 by newspaper publisher and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, with a mission to champion women’s education in line with its founder’s vision.

This American educational institution does not merely send students as volunteers; it also serves as an academic partner, bringing global perspectives and international networks. The involvement of this institution of higher education adds a scholarly dimension and global credibility to the programmes run by Yayasan Wadah Titian Harapan and Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo in Indonesia.

Volunteering as a Cross-Cultural Learning Space

^{Scripps College visiting Al-Hidayah Penjaringan community}

This cross-border volunteering programme is designed to give Scripps College students a truly immersive experience. Students do not arrive as guests or spectators; they step directly into the communities connected to Yayasan Wadah Titian Harapan and Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo.

In community empowerment practice, this approach is known as “participatory engagement”—a method in which volunteers are not positioned as those who “give,” but as partners who “grow together.” Scripps College students will encounter the complexities of social, environmental, and cultural issues that cannot be fully understood through textbooks alone. Students will experience firsthand how wildlife conservation and ecosystem rehabilitation are closely intertwined with the lives of surrounding communities. These activities, carried out across cultures, languages, and perspectives, become a true laboratory of life.

A Two-Way Impact: Inspiration and Credibility

_{Scripps College disscusing with Al-Hidayah Early Childhood Education teachers}

This collaboration creates impact in both directions. For students, each day in the field is an invaluable investment in experience. The hope is that students return home not only with photos and memories, but with broader perspectives, deeper empathy, and an understanding that real work in communities is the most authentic and inspiring form of leadership.

For local communities, the presence of sincere and well-structured international volunteers brings fresh energy. A sense of pride grows when their community is recognised as a place worthy of being visited, studied, and championed by young people from California, United States. This recognition is no small thing—it strengthens the community’s confidence that what they protect and strive for every day holds value far beyond their own boundaries.

Meanwhile, for Yayasan Wadah Titian Harapan and Yayasan Arsari Djojohadikusumo, the presence of an international partner from Scripps College opens a new chapter in their institutional journey. This programme becomes tangible proof that the capacity, credibility, and impact they have built over the years are recognised beyond national borders. This is an organic enhancement of branding and awareness—not the result of a campaign, but the fruit of hard work that is visibly real.

Becoming a Space that Inspires

^{Wadah Learning Centre in Ambon & Riau Conservation Centre}

This is the essence of transformative volunteering —it is not about who “knows more” or who is “more capable,” but about the courage to show up, to listen, and to work together for a purpose greater than oneself. “Together, we are not only empowering communities and caring for the environment, but nurturing hope—and it is that hope which will continue to inspire many people to move towards achieving change.”

Author: Wahyuning Dwi Wardani Ndraha

Editor: Aliya Penn & Alfran Falentino