Character development can begin with simple things that are part of children’s everyday lives. Learning to recognize healthy food, having the confidence to express opinions, and understanding personal boundaries in social interactions are essential foundations for young people to grow into healthy, confident, and well-rounded individuals. This is the spirit behind *Periska Goes to School* (PGTS), an initiative by the Astra Agro Employees’ Wives Association (PERISKA).
As an organization that brings together the wives of Astra Agro employees, PERISKA plays an active role in supporting the company’s social contributions. Through PGTS, PERISKA members visit schools to share knowledge, build meaningful connections, and create enjoyable learning experiences for students.
In May 2026, this spirit was brought to life by PERISKA members from PT Pasangkayu and PT Letawa in Sulawesi. Through educational and interactive approaches, the activities reached elementary and junior high school students, with learning materials tailored to their respective needs and stages of development.
Making Healthy Living Fun and Engaging
At PT Pasangkayu Elementary School, 120 students were invited to become *Healthy Food Detectives*. Together with 12 PERISKA representatives, the students explored the importance of choosing nutritious food, identifying the differences between healthy and unhealthy options, and understanding how food choices affect their overall health.
The learning sessions were designed to encourage curiosity and active participation. Students were invited to reflect on their daily eating habits and learn that maintaining good health can start with simple choices at home and at school. The enjoyable learning atmosphere also encouraged them to ask questions and actively participate throughout the activities.
For PERISKA, this was an opportunity to instill positive habits from an early age. The knowledge shared was expected to extend beyond the classroom and become part of the children’s everyday lives, particularly in making healthier food choices and developing healthy lifestyles.
Creating a Safe Space to Grow and Speak Up
The initiative continued at Astra Makmur Jaya (AMJ) Junior High School, where 64 students participated in an interactive session alongside 17 PERISKA members from Sulawesi 1 Area. The activity carried the theme *“Safe Socializing, Comfortable Future – Let’s Talk: Grow Healthy, Smart and Virtuous!”*
As teenagers enter adolescence, they begin to experience various physical, emotional, and social changes. Recognizing these challenges, the session provided an open and supportive space to discuss puberty, personal boundaries in social interactions, and adolescent reproductive health.
Interaction between PERISKA members and students played an important role throughout the activity. Through ice-breaking sessions and two-way discussions, topics such as puberty, healthy social boundaries, and reproductive health were introduced in ways that resonated with teenagers’ everyday experiences. Students were also encouraged to ask questions and explore the topics further, making the learning experience more relevant to the stage of development they are going through.
“Through this initiative, we want children to feel comfortable learning and asking questions. We hope that what they learn today will equip them with the knowledge to take care of their health, build positive relationships, and become more confident as they navigate their growth and development,” said one of the PERISKA members.
Through Periska Goes to School, PERISKA Sulawesi Area continues to strengthen the role of women in supporting education and community empowerment. The initiative also reflects Astra Agro’s commitment to Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), which encourages everyone to take an active role, contribute, and create positive impact based on their individual potential. Through the active involvement of PERISKA members, women are given opportunities to participate in social initiatives while delivering meaningful benefits to younger generations and surrounding communities.
For Astra Agro, building an inclusive environment means creating opportunities for everyone to grow, become empowered, and make meaningful contributions. From classrooms to local communities, this spirit of collaboration is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to nurture a healthy, intelligent, and well-rounded generation while upholding its commitment to *Prosper Together with the Nation*.
