Singapore - A group of three students from Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) was selected to participate in the Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme 2014, along with 10 other teams representing 6 countries, namely Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand.

hÈJo which means green in Sundanese was initiated by Rizqikha Hanung Ciptayukas, Rhevi Dayana Sari and Tania Alifianita, who are still studying in the seventh semester at UNDIP.

hÈJo looks into the development of affordable and organic fertilizers, made from cows’ urine and organic waste.

Tania said that the team wanted to turn waste, which is one of Indonesia’s major problems, into something of use.

So, the team started developing hÈJo to turn waste into fertilizer that increases agriculture output and grows planktons to feed fishes.

Before pitching their ideas to a panel of judges, all participants received mentorship for eight months, and went to Mumbai, India for a study visit.

Four out of eleven teams will receive $10,000 to fund their projects.

hÈJo is not the first Indonesian team to make it Singapore International Funds pitching competition. In 2013, the then 20-year-old Alfi Irfan, was awarded $10,000 to help farmers in West Java to achieve sustainable farming and market their products. Alfi has since roped in fellow YSE alumni Syakir Hashim from Singapore to develop the business.

This year, the fund was given to teams from South Korea, Singapore, India and Thailand.

In the opening speech, Euleen Goh, the Chairman of Singapore International Foundation said that the most important feature of the event is the lifelong connection participants with each other with whom they can share ideas and be inspired.

Goh concluded the speech by encouraging all youths to move forward inspired, excited and dare to make dreams come true.

For all aspiring social entrepreneurs, ready to see your ideas come true?

Young Social Entrepreneurs 2015 application is open until 22 December 2014. For more information, do visit www.sif.org.sg/YSE

Source: http://www.globalindonesianvoices.com/