Despite facing challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the spirit of Accor has not subsided and the group continuously strives to support a better future for Indonesian children from underprivileged families through the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, A Trust for A Child (ATFAC). “We are proud of the unwavering support of the team in keeping the ATFAC program alive for the past 20 years, even in these challenging times,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer of Accor Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea.

Last June was a month of gratitude for the graduation of eight ATFAC children, six of whom graduated from vocational school (SMK) and two graduated from high school. As alumni of this program, they are now ready to embrace working life, some are even interested in joining our hotel. To celebrate this achievement, Accor held a hybrid graduation ceremony. “We look forward to seeing all of our foster children successfully complete school, and develop with additional skills such as computers, English and others that will help them succeed in their future endeavors,” he added.

Accor Indonesia founded it in 2001, and it is operated by the Peduli Tunas Bangsa Foundation. The ATFAC program is an innovative concept that combines environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation. It aims to help foster children gain access to after-school learning and mentoring, nutritious food, sports and social facilities, while guiding them on how to care for the environment. “We are there to encourage them to achieve their dreams of a better life, and are there to support them if they wish to have a career at our hotel.”

Accor has ATFAC art studios in Jakarta and Bali. Teams in Indonesia (corporate and hotel) enthusiastically hold various activities such as mentoring as well as donations from hotel employees and guests, and the donations worth IDR 100 million from Accor hotels in the Greater Jakarta area. The hotel teams also distribute nutritious food and provide supporting facilities for activities, organizing bazaars, selling ATFAC souvenirs, eco-pens (pens made from recycled materials), and others.

The government also supports through the participation of the Deputy for Fulfillment of Children’s Rights, Lenny N. Rosalin, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection and the Deputy for Coordination of Quality Improvement for Children, Women and Youth, Femmy Eka Kartika Putri, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture a few months ago.

In addition, the art studios in Bali recently welcomed the visit of the nationalism community under the Pandu Pemimpin Cinta Bangsa Foundation, represented by several public figures, namely Yosi Mokalu, Yohana Elizabeth H, Bambang Reguna Bukit (Bams), Soni Mongan (Amho) and his colleagues, bringing joy and enthusiasm with the spirit of ‘National Is Me’ value to the children. (BTN/015)