[Activity Report] Asian Rural Institute Conducts 2026 Indonesia Study Tour that 'Shakes Your Way of Life'. 10 Days of Learning Sustainable Society and Diversity through Interaction with Rural Leaders
Asian Rural Institute held an Indonesia study tour. 12 participants visited alumni to experience sustainable living, coffee production, and disability support, learning about rural development directly from local leaders.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 27, 2026 at 23:43
- 🔍 Collected: March 28, 2026 at 21:59 (22h 16m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 04:51 (654h 52m after Collected)
From February 19 to March 1, 2026, the Asian Rural Institute conducted a study tour in North Sumatra, Indonesia, under the theme "Experience! The Life and Way of Living of Rural Leaders." A total of 12 people, comprising 10 participants and 2 accompanying staff members, visited graduates of the Asian Rural Institute who are active locally, experiencing firsthand the forefront of community development and living in harmony with nature.
■ Tour Highlights
1. Living in Harmony with Nature at "Kenny's Farm" (Siborongborong)
The first place of stay was "Kenny's Farm," run by graduates Feny and Kengo Ishida. Inside a "Food Forest" where the entire forest is like a supermarket, participants touched the soil and sweated together doing agricultural work. It was a time to experience "eating is living" by cooking local ingredients themselves and appreciating life.
2. The Overflowing Enthusiasm of "Seed to Cup" Coffee Production and Rural Homestay (Nagasaribu)
Next, they visited the base of operations for graduates Gani and Lampita, who lead a producers' cooperative as coffee farmers. They learned about the manufacturing process of making a cup of coffee and the struggles of the producers. Additionally, participants experienced a 2-night homestay with local families. Although initially bewildered by cultural and sanitary differences, such as the language barrier and bathing with water, they received warm hospitality and fully enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime interaction.
3. "Independence Support for People with Disabilities" Passed Down Across Generations (Hepata)
The group observed the activities of "Hepata," the disability support division of "HKBP," the largest Protestant denomination in Asia. They learned about the "community-based independence support activities" that have been passed down from senior graduate Osten to his junior, Junpeter, and have now expanded to 6 regions. Witnessing Lampita working closely with people with various disabilities and their families on-site, and the cacao seedling distribution project aimed at recovering from flood damage last December, they saw firsthand the creation of a society that leaves no one behind.
■ Tour Highlights
1. Living in Harmony with Nature at "Kenny's Farm" (Siborongborong)
The first place of stay was "Kenny's Farm," run by graduates Feny and Kengo Ishida. Inside a "Food Forest" where the entire forest is like a supermarket, participants touched the soil and sweated together doing agricultural work. It was a time to experience "eating is living" by cooking local ingredients themselves and appreciating life.
2. The Overflowing Enthusiasm of "Seed to Cup" Coffee Production and Rural Homestay (Nagasaribu)
Next, they visited the base of operations for graduates Gani and Lampita, who lead a producers' cooperative as coffee farmers. They learned about the manufacturing process of making a cup of coffee and the struggles of the producers. Additionally, participants experienced a 2-night homestay with local families. Although initially bewildered by cultural and sanitary differences, such as the language barrier and bathing with water, they received warm hospitality and fully enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime interaction.
3. "Independence Support for People with Disabilities" Passed Down Across Generations (Hepata)
The group observed the activities of "Hepata," the disability support division of "HKBP," the largest Protestant denomination in Asia. They learned about the "community-based independence support activities" that have been passed down from senior graduate Osten to his junior, Junpeter, and have now expanded to 6 regions. Witnessing Lampita working closely with people with various disabilities and their families on-site, and the cacao seedling distribution project aimed at recovering from flood damage last December, they saw firsthand the creation of a society that leaves no one behind.