Perhaps the greatest reason why someone does an ambitious project has nothing to do with their personal ideological, philosophical, or religious beliefs, but is done because they value what the project does. This seems to be the reason why Mr. Ger runs an English language program in the middle of the Gayo highlands.
Mr. Ger’s English program is called 02 Course. I have been volunteering with him for the last two weeks. This has been part of my broader attempt to explore how different ideas impact communities and the individuals within them. Since 02 Course aims to make a big impact in and around the community of Takengon, it seems worthwhile to explore what ideas have brought this program to life. The goal of 02 is to bring the English language to a town with little exposure to it beyond pop culture. The hope is this helps the community connect to the broader world. To explore why Mr. Ger wants to bring English to this community, I have asked him what has motivated him to operate the program. What I have found is that Mr. Ger runs it, not because any particular ideology (like cosmopolitanism or some kind of religious ideal) motivates him, but because he values connecting with others and he values his Community.
Mr. Ger’s love for connecting with people has taken him around the globe. He has traveled across many parts of the world, including India, several European countries, and South America. To fund his trips, he has done various kinds of work along the way. Throughout his travels, he has loved to meet new people. However, to interact with others, he has had to know a common language. Since English is the most common language people use in international communication, English often serves as the language that has connected Mr. Ger with other people.
Eventually, Mr. Ger’s love for connection had led him to get a hospitality job in Banda Aceh. While working there, he discovered the community of Takengon. He fell in love with the natural beauty and kindness of the people. This has led him to the conclusion that Takengon is where he wants to spend the rest of his life. However, Takengon receives few visitors from outside Indonesia. Most people only speak the local languages like Gayo and Bahasa Indonesia. Although schools in the region teach some English, the lack of educational resources and English speakers makes it difficult for those within the area to become a proficient English speaker.
Recognizing that more English can help his community connect with new people, he has opened 02 Course. At first, he had run 02 English Course on the side while he continued to make money in hospitality. Nevertheless, Mr. Ger fell in love with his new project. He has quit hospitality and devotes most of his time to 02 Course. “I love the students and teaching!” Mr. Ger has told me. However, there are others who support the work.
02 hires many local English teachers from the area, many of whom have been lucky to study English at University. These teachers teach and help manage 02’s three locations in the Gayo highlands and one location in Banda Aceh. In addition to 02’s private lessons, they also volunteer at local schools who lack resources for adequate English education. 02 brings its teachers and volunteers to lead lessons with students at these schools. However, Mr. Ger wants to use his institution to connect locals with foreigners in a more direct way than only by learning the English language.
Since 2024, Mr. Ger has been hosting volunteers from around the world. Volunteers stay at his home, teach English, and interact with the community. His volunteers come from several countries, including the UK, US, Kenya, China, Germany, Belgium, France, and others. As a volunteer, I have interacted with many of 02’s students and the local school children. Many children seem very excited to meet people from such a wide variety of places.
In the future, Mr. Ger hopes to transform his program into a full-time school that has foreign and local teachers. However, in the meantime, it seems that his love for his community and connecting with people serve as enough to keep enrollment in his English courses open.