For three decades, the YASPI Education Foundation has been a vital learning center for working-class families in Semper Barat, North Jakarta. However, continuous wear, harsh coastal weather, and recurring floods severely damaged its aging structure. Broken doors, cracked floors, and overflowing sanitation systems became part of daily life for 670 primary, middle, and high school students.
The school’s vulnerability was laid bare during the severe 2020 to 2021 floods, when water submerged classrooms, ruined textbooks stored in the staff room, and forced a week-long shift to distance learning (Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh/PJJ). Sanitation became a constant, costly struggle. The school had to pump septic tanks twice a year just to keep the foul-smelling, easily blocked toilets operational.
“When heavy rains hit, we were constantly worried about our textbooks getting soaked and classrooms becoming unusable,” recalls Rizal Efendi, M.Pd., Principal of YASPI.
“Even with frequent septic pumping, the toilets kept overflowing. Keeping children focused under those conditions was a massive daily battle.”
A Sustainable Transformation
On July 23rd, 2026, a bright new chapter began. In partnership with the CMA CGM Foundation, Happy Hearts Indonesia (HHI) officially inaugurated the fully restored YASPI campus, marking the third school completed under their joint initiative since 2024.
The project delivered comprehensive infrastructure and environmental upgrades:
“Every child deserves a school where they feel safe, valued, and inspired to dream big,” stated Sylvia Beiwinkler, Secretary General of Happy Hearts Indonesia.
“Working alongside the CMA CGM Foundation isn’t just about constructing better buildings; it’s about giving these kids the real chance and resources they need to thrive.”
“Through the renovation of this third school, we are providing nearly 700 additional children with a safe place to learn and prepare for their future,” added Ikram Ghazali, General Manager of CMA CGM Indonesia.
“We are proud to support initiatives that create lasting opportunities for local communities.”
Dignity Restored on the Ground
The physical shift transformed daily life overnight. Classrooms that once smelled of dampness are now bright, clean learning spaces.
“Before, the toilets were dirty and smelly, and our classroom floors were broken,” shares Nova, a Grade 9 student.
“Now everything is clean and comfortable. The container library is super cool and cold with the AC! The first thing I looked for was the novel section. My parents were so happy to see the new campus. It makes us proud to come to school every day.”
Lasting, Measurable Impact
Beyond physical structures, every HHI project integrates a three-year capacity-building program for teachers on financial management and organizational sustainability, alongside active volunteering from CMA CGM staff throughout the year.
- 670 Students now learn in dry, flood-resilient classrooms with modern learning tools and 15 clean lavatories.
- 46 Teachers & Staff benefit from functional administrative spaces, private laptops, and an updated computer lab for lesson planning and exam printing.
- 1,500+ Students & 6,000+ Community Members across Jakarta and Surabaya now benefit from HHI and CMA CGM’s multi-school alliance (including SMP Tri Guna Bhakti, SMP Bina Karya, YASPI, and the upcoming MTs El Nur Kasysyaf).
Today, when dark clouds gather over Semper Barat, learning at YASPI no longer stops. The drainage flows freely, books stay dry, and 670 children can focus entirely on building their futures.
