Our work: 

In February of 2019, Amber and Jake moved to East Java, Indonesia to serve as apprentices with REI. After completing their apprenticeship in 2021 they made the transition to field staff, and then took on the role of Country Leaders in Indonesia starting in June 2023. 

Currently, the REI Indonesia team partners with Brawijaya University and the Ministry of Agriculture's Institute for Agricultural Instrument Standardization to provide education, effective standardization, farmer training, and the development of underutilized resources. At Brawijaya, REI Indonesia staff not only provide instruction and training for students and faculty at these colleges, but they will have the opportunity to create service projects and research programs for undergraduate and graduate students, training up future leaders in these fields with values of righteousness, justice and goodwill.

Our hope is that we would be able to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Brawijaya University and other universities to focus on the development and utilization of local agricultural resources, integrating them into agricultural systems and developing their value chains. As we develop these resources in partnership with the local people, we hope to pursue our holistic vision, investing in people first as the basis for developing communities. By incorporating university students in this process, we hope to train up professionals who value doing good for others and creatively use underutilized resources. And, ultimately, we envision noble-hearted Indonesians motivated by righteousness and justice trained up to oversee the continuing development of their own communities.

In addition, Amber has offered English Language education in a number of different ways, including through a non-profit, as an independent tutor, and guest lecturing at a local university. She continues to explore different ways that REI personnel can provide educational opportunities to communities we work with.

Our Training: 

Amber received her BA in ESL Education, including a minor in Intercultural Studies, from the University of Northwestern - St Paul. In 2021, she also completed her MAED from UNW with an emphasis in Culturally Responsive Teaching.

Jake has a BS from UNW in Biology and Biochemistry. He received his MS in Soil and Water Management (emphasis in Sustainable Land Management) in 2023 at Brawijaya University in Malang. 

Jake & Amber hope to continue working with and leading this team long term until they are called to something else. 

Thank you for your support of this exciting work!