“One thing that breaks my heart as a teacher is hearing that my female students quit school and get married at such a young age. School often feels like nothing more than a layover before marriage.”

These words reflect the daily reality faced by Mrs. Yima, a teacher at SMPN 33 Buton, a public junior high school in Buton District. Over the years, she has witnessed many of her female students leave school to marry while still underage. She worries not only about their interrupted education, but also about how unprepared they may be to build and sustain a family in the future.

Mrs Yima is leading Girl Empowerment Activity on the topic of Financial Literacy in December 2025

Hope arrived when Taman Bacaan Pelangi introduced the Girl Empowerment project to her school. For Mrs. Yima, the program represented a rare opportunity to offer her students something different: space to reflect, learn, and imagine a future beyond early marriage. Encouraged by the school principal, she accepted the role of project facilitator with great enthusiasm.

Students were working on a project delivered during the project activity

After completing facilitator training organized by Taman Bacaan Pelangi, Mrs. Yima began leading project activities at her school. Over the following five months, she worked closely with 23 female students, guiding discussions and activities designed to build confidence, aspirations, and life skills.

Two students from SMPN 33 Buton were presenting the results of their group project

Mrs. Yima carries out this role with deep personal commitment. “I am truly happy to be part of this movement,” she shared. “I can see how the modules and activities motivate these girls to dream and take action toward their goals. Even though we are far from the city, I hope they can dream as high as possible—beyond the limits of this remote place.”