Butet Manurung is the founder of Sokola Rimba, an informal school that teaches indigenous and marginalized communities how to read, write, and count. It was founded in 2003 and has since benefited over 10,000 children and adults across 8 provinces.
The organization is a success story and role model for the 80% of social enterprises in Indonesia that are still small-scale enterprises. These firms endure challenges of expanding their business to reach larger populations that benefit from their service.
According to Sandiaga Uno, founder of Indonesian Social Entrepreneur Association, social entrepreneurship is a business concept that is growing in the country and has flourished over the last 10 years.
He suggests that the major hindrance to Indonesia’s social entrepreneurs is the way they work in isolation. More collaboration, resources, and role models are needed to push the industry forward.
“They often don’t want to share their secret sauce,” Uno told The Jakarta Post.
There are also concerns about attitudes and perceptions that may further hamper the potential for positive impact on society.
“I see an emerging trend where the young generation is merely seeking instant success instead of making an impact on society,” he said.
A survey by Bina Nusantara (Binus) Business School revealed that 89 top managers from 31 national and multinational companies in mining, energy, agriculture, insurance, and healthcare perceived social programs as mandatory corporate action.
It also indicated that most corporate social responsibility programs were not effectively implemented by mid-level managers.