Taman Cipta Karya Nusantara (TCKN) Foundation Aims to Foster Growth in the Yogyakartan Community of All Ages

Like all good things, the origin of Taman Cipta Karya Nusantara (TCKN) Foundation is rooted in love. Chris Drake was born and grew up in England, the United Kingdom, but has lived most of his life in Asia after first moving to Hong Kong back in 1982. It was in the 1990s, on his first visit to Yogyakarta, that he fell in love with the history and culture of Indonesia. In his own words, there was something “magical, mystical and timeless about Yogyakarta , its culture, art, the locals and their way of life, as well as the dynamic between people, nature and spirituality”. No wonder Yogyakarta later became his second home.

Eventually, Chris, alongside Indonesians that he got acquainted with back in Hong Kong, established TCKN. It was already clear to him how important education is for the growth and development of individuals and societies at large.

“Learning is a lifelong undertaking that begins the moment we’re born, if not before, and lessons learned early in life can provide a strong foundation or springboard for later years. Yet education is not just about the curriculum, knowledge content or exams. Of ever-increasing importance today is our personality, our values and a broader conceptualisation of life,” he asserted. TCKN Building

In all its educational work, TCKN seeks to foster a values-based learning community in which parents collaborate closely with teachers in nurturing hearts as well as educating minds. After all, quality education is inextricably linked with the values that a school lives by, as well as how education supports each learner in finding themselves and being the best they can be.

“Looking ahead, we hope that there will be greater recognition of the importance of early-years education and to play a part, albeit small, in contributing to the development of education in the local community and ensuring that learning opportunities are available to all, in particular those from less-advantaged families,” he continued.

Cut to the present times, and TCKN has already recruited over 40 staff, the majority of whom are teachers and mostly have grown up in Yogyakarta.

“We’ve also been blessed to receive visitors from around Asia, the United States and Europe who have shared experiences, expertise and insights with us,” Chris enthused.

Guided by its core values—such as respect, responsibility, goodwill, integrity, equality and positivity—TCKN’s main mission is to provide education that gives young children a great start in life, helps young adults secure decent work and supports all in personal growth and leading better lives. Furthermore, TCKN aims to serve as a community hub in which traditional culture and art flourish and to welcome everyone to engage in meaningful conversations. It is a hub brimming with peace, joy, personal warmth and positive energy—a place that celebrates abundance as well as togetherness.

The TCKN ecosystem consists of five main divisions:
 

• The Lilliput World
  A Montessori pre-school dedicated to children aged 1 to 6 that blends the Montessori, Living Values Education and Taman Siswa education approaches, offering both half-day and full-day classes to local and international children. The school’s Parents’ Community is closely involved in all aspects of school life, and seminars and workshops are regularly offered to all parents.
• The Bridge Academy 
  Focused on educating adults about the Montessori method, in particular, through providing training and acting as a quality controller for The Lilliput World and its teachers with regard to both curriculum implementation and teaching skills. It also offers short courses and workshops for visiting schools and parents, and occasionally runs camps for youth and young children.
• Nusantara International Hospitality College
  NIHC runs courses for young adults who aspire to work in the growing hospitality and tourism sector. Students have the opportunity to learn and practise in TCKN’s own kitchen and facilities.

• The Caring Kitchen 

  The Caring Kitchen serves as TCKN’s dining room and provides healthy, plant-based, earth-friendly meals for all staff and The Lilliput World students, their parents and guests. Fun fact: the kitchen’s fresh produce is sourced from the foundation’s rooftop hydroponic garden.

• Community Service and Outreach

  TCKN often runs outreach activities for nearby communities and villages. In partnership with Yogyakarta-based universities and health centres, the foundation has hosted health talks and medical check-ups for local villagers and community groups. It also collaborates with ex-migrant worker organisations in supporting returning migrant workers as they seek to reintegrate themselves into their home community after years abroad.

TCKN also runs English-speaking classes designed especially for senior high school students, university students and adults who wish to improve their English-speaking skills. Other activities over the years have included various special events with prominent figures from the world of academia and science. One such event featured a dialogue between British historian and author Peter Carey and Dr. Gregorius Subanar, S.J., from The Graduate School of Sanata Dharma University, in which they explored the timeless stories of the Ramayana and its relevance to life today.

The TCKN Foundation is privately funded by individuals and seeks to provide scholarships where possible, with a particular focus on offering learning opportunities for those from less-advantaged families who may not otherwise have such a possibility.  For readers who would like to support a student’s education or play a part in completing the foundation’s new school premises, please visit: 
globalgiving.org/projects/build-a-village-school-in-indonesia

Taman Cipta Karya Nusantara (TCKN) Foundation

• Instagram: @tamanciptakaryanusantara

• Website: www.tamanciptakarya.or.id

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