Think Globally, Act Locally

Sumba is increasingly appearing on the world map as pristine landscapes and emerging eco-resorts attract global attention. With the arrival of world-class sustainable tourism, new opportunities are emerging for local communities—opportunities to break persistent cycles of poverty. Yet, many Sumbanese, especially in rural areas, lack access to education, English language skills, and vocational training that would allow them to benefit from this growth.

In 2015, a young Sumbanese teacher, Roswita Asti Kulla, founded English Goes to Kampung (EGK) to address these challenges. Starting with little more than determination and a desire to help her community, she visited remote villages to teach English and basic life skills to children who often could not attend school due to distance or economic hardship.

Over the years, EGK has grown into a holistic community initiative, reaching all four districts of Sumba and has reached more than 8,000 youth.

“Poverty must not decide a child’s future. Our mission is to equip every young Sumbanese with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to dream boldly and succeed. With the right resources and a united community, we can prepare them to thrive in a global world and lead Sumba forward.”
Roswita Asty Kulla, Founder of English Goes to Kampung

EGK Sumba is a community-based education initiative dedicated to expanding access to quality learning opportunities for children and young people in rural Sumba. Founded on the belief that education should be inclusive, contextual, and empowering, EGK brings learning directly into villages (kampung), where access to formal education and extracurricular programs is often limited.

Supporting EGK, is supporting the dreams of youth of Sumba.

Vision & Mission

Growth, Impact & Partnerships

Since its founding:

EGK has reached over 8,000 children across all age groups
- 50% Kindergarten & Elementary (Rainbow & Sky class)
- 27% Junior & Senior High (Moon & Star class)
- 20% University
- 3% mixed ages
The community now includes 80+ active volunteers
Children show measurable improvements in confidence, attitudes, and educational outcomes
Parents increasingly support education, seeing its impact firsthand

EGK now partners with local and international organizations to expand its programs and strengthen its mission.

Legal Recognition

On 30 July 2019, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia officially recognized the English Goes to Kampung Foundation, providing a formal legal framework to continue its work addressing the two major challenges facing rural Sumba: poverty and limited access to quality education.

Our Vision

To create a better and more sustainable future for young Sumbanese in both coastal and inland villages across the island.

Our Mission

To reach children across Sumba and teach conversational English
To strengthen solidarity, cultural appreciation, and environmental awareness
To empower communities through creative and practical skills development
To conduct social, cultural, and environmental studies that support sustainable growth

Education Rooted in Community and Culture

Through a combination of English education, environmental awareness, vocational skills, and culinary learning, EGK supports young people in building confidence, practical skills, and a sense of agency over their future. All programmes are designed to be participatory, culturally grounded, and responsive to local realities.

EGK works closely with local educators, families, and partner organisations to ensure that learning remains relevant, respectful, and sustainable over time.