The Indonesia Study Tour 2026, which took place under the theme “Experience the Lives and Lifestyles of Rural Leaders,” has come to a close. This is the final installment of our three-part series covering North Sumatra.
After experiencing life in harmony with nature at “Kenny’s Farm” in Part 1 and the overwhelming passion and homestay experience at the coffee cooperative in Part 2, the participants’ minds and bodies had already fully acclimated to the atmosphere of Indonesia.
In this final Part 3, we focus on the work of Junpiter and Lampita in supporting the independence of people with disabilities.
■ Travel Log: Community Development Passed Down Through Generations
• Support for Independence through Asia’s Largest Church
Indonesia is home to the “HKBP (Batak Protestant Christian Church),” considered Asia’s largest Protestant church. The HKBP is well known not only for its worship services and evangelism but also for its active social service activities, and many graduates of ARI are actively involved in these efforts. Junpiter, who appeared in Part 1, and Lampita, who appeared in Part 2, both play vital roles in supporting the community-based rehabilitation carried out by Hepata, the HKBP’s disability support division.
On the second day in Nagasaribu, we invited people with disabilities and their families from Nagasaribu to join us and listened to Junpiter and Lampita talk about Hepata’s activities and their passion for the cause.
• Hepata’s Activities Passed Down from Osten to Junpiter: The disability support organization we visited on the first day (Toba Disability Association), which appeared in the first report, also began as part of Hepata and is now independently operated. Junpiter shared that he didn’t start this alone. Osten, a 2006 graduate of ARI who was originally in charge of Hepata, approached Junpiter, and now Junpiter oversees activities in six regions where the community-based rehabilitation is carried out. In North Sumatra, which is home to many graduates, cooperation among graduates is thriving, and they are joining forces to serve the community.
• Lampita, A Reliable Field Worker: As the coordinator for Nagasaribu Village, Lampita works closely with people with various disabilities on the ground. She helps each person discover their strengths—whether in bag-making, agriculture, or barista work—and guides them toward self-reliance, but she emphasizes that talking with the family is the most important step. This is because many parents worry about the safety of their children with disabilities and are reluctant to let them try new things. Despite juggling other responsibilities, Lampita dedicates seven hours a week to discussions with the individuals and their families. Seeing her dedication, it was clear just how much people rely on her.
• Post-Disaster Cacao Project: On the final day, we toured the scenic area of Parapat. That day, Junpeter showed us a new project he is running from his home. There were seedlings densely packed into a small greenhouse. These are cacao seedlings being grown to distribute to farmers affected by the floods on Sumatra last December, so they can resume farming. He also expressed his ambition to eventually commercialize the product and help generate income for the farmers. It is precisely because he is an ARI graduate who works closely with the community on a daily basis that he is able to respond quickly and effectively to needs in the aftermath of a disaster.
• Visits to a local elementary and junior high school, and sightseeing in Parapat: Toward the end of the trip, we also visited an elementary and junior high school in Siborongborong and toured Parapat. We enjoyed hands-on cultural exchange, such as writing the students’ names in Japanese and running around the school grounds. In Parapat, after enjoying the beach, hiking, and shopping, we held the final night reflection session. Through this festive day, we concluded the study tour by celebrating the connections we had made with one another.
■ Participants’ Voices (from the post-trip survey) Witnessing the history and expanding activities of the graduates, participants engaged in deep reflection on their own relationship with society. Here are some of the inner changes and insights shared in the survey.
“I was moved by the fact that the philosophy and practices of ARI have been passed down from Osten to Junpiter. I felt that the region is improving not just in isolated spots, but as a continuous process.”
“Seeing the self-reliance support at Hepata helped me understand the true meaning of a ‘society where everyone has a role.’ In Japanese society, which tends to prioritize efficiency and speed above all else, this experience made me fundamentally rethink how I should live my life.”
“It’s hard enough to make a single project a success, so I was overwhelmed by Lampita’s broad vision and vitality in expanding activities to other districts. It made me realize that I had been unnecessarily limiting the scope of my own activities.”
“It was precisely because of the nightly reflection sessions that this wasn’t just a ‘trip’—I was able to absorb everything as my own personal experience. The fact that participants of different ages and backgrounds could speak honestly and open up to one another is a treasure I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
■ Conclusion
True to the theme of “Experiencing the Lives and Ways of Rural Leaders,” the participants were touched by the overwhelming energy of the graduates, and it became a wonderful journey where they reflected the fundamental needs of their own lives.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone in Indonesia who welcomed us so warmly, and to everyone who supported this tour.
We will continue to organize study tours that shake up the way we live. Why not join us on our next journey?
