As a member of the Anak Dalam tribe, Pauzan has experienced several challenges in getting an education. Besides limited facilities, the perception among Suku Anak Dalam about education still tends to be unfavourable. Therefore, Pauzan’s journey through education was not smooth.  At first, he thought he would only be part of the unemployed youth just like any other youth members in his tribe. “I was already unemployed for three years after I failed to graduate junior high school,” he said. Luckily, his grandfather, Temenggung Tarib, an Anak Dalam tribal figure who is one of the elders, managed to persuade him to enrol in school again.

In 2017, Pauzan was finally selected for a scholarship opportunity by PT Sari Aditya Loka (SAL), one of Astra Agro’s subsidiaries, to study until university level. Pauzan was selected as one of the many young people from the Anak Dalam tribe at that time. He travelled to Merangin, the nearby district, and completed his junior high school studies eight months later. “We lived in the PT SAL accommodation that was provided for us. Food, clothing, and school fees were all provided by the company, and we received an allowance every month.” Fauzan said. Similarly, when Pauzan moved on to college, he also received additional facilities such as a laptop for education.

In his final year, Fauzan has applied the knowledge he gained from the KKN (Field Study and Community Service) program at university by providing counselling on farming techniques to the residents of Cinunuk village in the Garut district. He hopes to become a role model for other members of the Suku Anak Dalam community, encouraging them to pursue education and utilize their knowledge for the benefit of their community. “I want to inspire many younger siblings in the Anak Dalam tribe to continue their education. I need to challenge the belief that going to school is unimportant for our livelihood. That belief is misguided. In my opinion, education has the power to change lives. Personally, I have experienced this transformation,” said Fauzan.

Fajar Santoso, a representative of Astra Agro’s CSR team, hopes that Fauzan can serve as a role model for other SAD children, inspiring them to be enthusiastic about education and share knowledge with their community. “Education is a new concept for the SAD community, so many do not fully grasp the importance of attending school. Therefore, the graduations of Pauzan, Bejujug, and Besiar are expected to inspire the new generation of SAD children.”

In alignment with Fajar’s vision, Pauzan shared similar thoughts regarding his role in promoting the importance of education in his hometown. “I have to encourage the children in SAD community to continue their education. I need to set an example and become a role model for my Suku Anak Dalam friends, so their mindset can shift toward understanding the significance of education,” said the young man.