Press Releases Bringing Better Learning Environments to Early Childhood Education, Three Kindergartens in Dumai Receive Renovation Support

Lubuk Gaung, Dumai, 28 May 2026 – A safer and more comfortable learning environment is now being experienced by children in Lubuk Gaung, Dumai, after three kindergartens received school renovation support from PT Ivo Mas Tunggal (PT IMT), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, in collaboration with Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation and ADM.

The support included renovations for TK Ar Rahman, TK Saida Al Amin, and TK Al Hilmi, as well as the distribution of school uniforms for elementary school students from underprivileged families in the surrounding area. The three schools serve around 130 students, who can now benefit from improved learning facilities. These improvements not only provide a more suitable learning space, but also support children’s development and learning from an early age.

Teachers at the three renovated schools, shared that the improvements have created cleaner, safer, and more comfortable learning environments for children. The renovated facilities are also helping create a more positive and enjoyable atmosphere for learning.

“Having a sink has made a big difference. Children can now wash their hands more hygienically with running water, without having to carry water every day,” said Helmiati, a teacher at TK Al Hilmi.

Chairwoman of the Dumai Family Welfare and Community Empowerment Organisation (PKK) and Early Childhood Education Ambassador for Dumai, Hj. Leni Ramaini, said that early childhood education plays an important role in shaping children’s character and preparing them for the next stage of education.

“Support like this is highly meaningful, as it helps ensure children receive proper stimulation and guidance from an early age. We hope this initiative can help strengthen the quality of learning in early childhood education while also supporting teachers in guiding children’s overall growth and development,” she said.

In addition to the school renovations, the programme also included the distribution of learning supplies and tree planting activities within the school environment as part of efforts to create healthier and more child friendly learning spaces.

General Manager of PT IMT, Paulus Tumanggor, said that the collaboration reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities around its operational areas, particularly in education.

“We recognise that efforts to improve the quality of education cannot be carried out alone and require collaboration from various stakeholders. Through this collaboration, we hope to provide sustainable support for children and educators while contributing to stronger learning quality at the early childhood education level,” he said.

“Through ADM Cares, we are proud to support initiatives that help strengthen communities through better access to education, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods. Together with Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food and Tzu Chi Foundation, we hope this collaboration can help create safer and more supportive learning environments for children in Dumai, while contributing to the long-term wellbeing and resilience of communities in Riau,” said Tobias Westphalen, Head of Feedstuffs Asia, ADM.

The programme is part of a community empowerment initiative between Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation, and ADM, initiated through a one year cooperation agreement signed on 14 April 2025 in Jakarta. As part of the programme’s continued impact, ADM has also prepared support for two additional projects in Dumai through 2027 and 2028.

The collaboration focuses on three main areas: community based hydroponic farming development, stunting prevention efforts, and improvements to facilities and quality of early childhood education centres around operational areas in Sungai Sembilan District, Dumai.

Previously, the collaboration had been implemented through the revitalisation of early childhood education facilities and caregiver training programmes, benefiting more than 160 children and caregivers in Dumai. Similar programmes have also been carried out in Siak as part of a long term commitment to community empowerment.

About Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food

Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, which operates under Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), is one of the leading palm oil plantation companies, with a total planted area in Indonesia of over half a million hectares, including plasma, and works with more than 800,000 smallholders farmers. As part of GAR’s global agribusiness with a seed-to-shelf approach, the company manages an integrated business across the production of food products derived from vegetable oils, and continues to grow with purpose, delivering long-term value through sustainable palm oil production practices.

In Indonesia, the company’s main activities include oil palm cultivation and harvesting, processing fresh fruit bunches into Crude Palm Oill (CPO) and palm kernel, and refining CPO into value-added products such as cooking oil, margarine, shortening, and biodiesel for markets worldwide. The company also operates in China and India, with facilities for processing vegetable oils and food products. In 2025, the company produced approximately 2.8 million tonnes of palm-based products, across more than 30 consumer brands.

Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s operations. In line with GAR’s Responsible Agri-Commodity Sourcing policy and Collective for Impact framework, it is committed to ensuring responsible practices, enhancing supply chain transparency, and delivering positive environmental and social impact. Currently, 99.5% of its palm oil supply chain in Indonesia is traceable to the plantation level, while non-palm commodities are 100% traceable to the mill level.

Its parent company, GAR, was founded in 1996 and listed on the Singapore Exchange in 1999, with a market capitalisation of US$2.8 billion as of 31 December 2025. Flambo International Limited, an investment company, is currently GAR’s largest shareholder, with a 50.56% stake. GAR has several subsidiaries, including PT SMART Tbk, which has been listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange since 1992. With operations in 14 countries and products sold in over 110 markets, GAR combines global scale with local insight. Beyond palm, GAR is a global trader of sugar, soybean, sunflower, and coconut, supported by strong shipping and logistics capabilities.