A Commitment to Education: KAI Provides Rp300 Million in Scholarships for Five Children Affected by the Bekasi Timur Train Accident
A tragedy should never stand in the way of a child's future. Guided by this commitment, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), through its Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) Program, has provided education savings scholarships totaling Rp300 million to five children who lost their parents in the Bekasi Timur train accident.
The assistance was symbolically handed over on Friday (July 10) at the Jakarta Railway Center, attended by KAI management, KAI Commuter representatives, KAI's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team, and the beneficiaries' families.
Each child received an education savings fund of Rp60 million, which can be utilized gradually to support various educational needs, including school tuition, administrative expenses, learning materials, and future education costs.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba said that losing a parent is one of the most difficult experiences a child can face. Therefore, KAI is committed to ensuring that these children continue to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams. She explained that while no assistance can replace the presence of a parent, KAI hopes this educational support will help ease the families' concerns while encouraging the children to continue their education and strive for a brighter future.
Anne further explained that the education savings scheme was chosen to ensure the funds remain secure and can be used according to each child's educational needs. This approach also provides families with greater certainty in planning long-term education expenses.
The initiative is part of KAI's Social Pillar under its TJSL Program, which focuses on improving community well-being, expanding access to education, and supporting families facing vulnerable situations due to unforeseen tragedies.
Before the assistance was distributed, KAI conducted a verification process and coordinated closely with the beneficiaries' families to ensure the support reached the right recipients and delivered meaningful benefits. Anne added that KAI hopes to provide families with greater peace of mind by helping ensure their children's education can continue uninterrupted. The company also hopes the education savings will continue to inspire the children to stay motivated throughout their educational journey.
KAI recognizes that the impact of a tragedy can be felt for many years. Therefore, the company's support extends beyond the immediate aftermath of the incident by providing assistance that contributes to the long-term well-being of the affected families.
Through this initiative, KAI hopes to ease the financial burden on the families, safeguard the children's access to education, and provide greater confidence in meeting future educational needs. Anne also expressed her hope that these children will continue to believe in a brighter future, supported by the encouragement of their families and surrounding communities as they pursue their dreams.
At the same time, KAI continues to strengthen its commitment to safer railway operations through comprehensive evaluations across all operational aspects. The company continues to reinforce its safety culture by enhancing employee competencies, optimizing technology, strengthening its safety management system, and implementing continuous operational improvements.
Every evaluation serves as an important lesson for KAI to further improve safety standards, enhance service reliability, and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Anne reaffirmed that safety remains a responsibility that must be upheld at all times. She also conveyed the company's deepest sympathy to all affected families and emphasized KAI's commitment to continuously improving its services to ensure railway transportation becomes even safer, more reliable, and more trusted by the public.