SOUTH SULAWESI — Amid rapid technological developments and the rapid pace of digitalization, the need for digital literacy is becoming increasingly urgent, especially for the younger generation in rural areas. This spirit is what inspired the launch of the Digital Economy Literacy Education Program for Empowered Villages in Sinjai. Located in the Madaya area, Arabika Village, West Sinjai District, witnessed the inauguration of the program initiated by PLN UIP 3 B Sulawesi together with Dompet Dhuafa South Sulawesi on Thursday (8/21/2025).
This program includes various strategic activities, such as educational scholarships, training to prepare for admission to state universities (PTN), literacy teacher training, and the development of digital lab facilities. This program is expected to be an important provision that can strengthen the literacy and capacity of the younger generation, especially in Sinjai, so that they can compete in the digital era.
The inauguration was attended by Sinjai Regent Ratnawati Arif, Head of the Sinjai Education Office, Irwan Suaib, Head of the Communication and Information Agency Dr. Mansyur, Head of the PMD Office Dr. Yuhadi Samad, Head of Dompet Dhuafa South Sulawesi Heru Pandu Satrio, West Sinjai Sub-District Head A. Nasrun, Arabika Village Head Harianto, and Madaya Area Manager Ramly Usman.
Previously, for the past year, the Desa Berdaya program has been running to empower the community through economic strengthening, MSME development, human resource capacity building, and infrastructure development. This year, the education program assistance in Sinjai is designed as a long-term investment to produce the best generation.
Local Leader of the Madaya Area, Desa Berdaya Sinjai, Ramly Usman expressed his gratitude for PLN’s support through this literacy education program.
“Coffee empowerment in Sinjai is like a single coffee bean opening the way to a thousand good things for the Empowered Village community. This year, TJSL PLN UIP 3 B Sulawesi is providing support for the Literacy Education Program. Alhamdulillah, this will be the path that leads from dreams to reality,” he said.
South Sulawesi, which also emphasizes the importance of ongoing collaboration.
“Dompet Dhuafa is now 32 years old. We are slowly realizing our spirit of collaboration to encourage the implementation of modern zakat in South Sulawesi. The education program that we are planting today is an investment to produce the best generation from Sinjai. In the next ten to fifteen years, we hope that they will bring pride to this district,” he explained.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa & PLN Peduli Present Empowered Village Program in Sinjai Regency
Meanwhile, General Manager of PLN UIP 3 B Sulawesi, Fermi Trafianto, stated that PLN is always committed to supporting the welfare of the community through their CSR programs.
“In Arabika Village, we are developing the empowerment of coffee farmers while also providing support in the field of education. Hopefully, the community will truly feel the benefits of this contribution,” said Fermi.
The Regent of Sinjai, Ratnawati Arif, appreciated this collaborative effort as a way to strengthen human resources in the regions.
“We strongly support the education program initiated by PLN and Dompet Dhuafa. Our focus is to develop smart, empowered human resources who are able to compete in order to achieve an advanced Indonesia. This collaboration is a tangible manifestation of community empowerment to achieve prosperity,” she said.
Through this inauguration, PLN Peduli and Dompet Dhuafa reaffirmed their commitment to continue delivering education-based programs, literacy initiatives, and sustainable community empowerment in Sinjai District, as well as program development in South Sulawesi. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Anndini, DD South Sulawesi
Editor: Dhika