In partnership with Classroom of Hope, our Business Benchmark Group community has just returned from Mission Impact #3, a powerful and deeply personal journey to Lombok, Indonesia. Together, we set out to help rebuild what the 2018 earthquakes tore down: safe, sustainable schools for children who deserve the chance to learn, dream, and thrive.
Rebuilding After Devastation
In 2018, a series of earthquakes struck Lombok, causing widespread destruction and severe damage to over 400 schools. Thousands of children were left learning in unsafe structures, temporary tents, or with no school to attend at all.
This year, Mission Impact #3 brought us back to this resilient region, where hope is being rebuilt, one classroom at a time.
Day One: Innovation, Sustainability and Getting to Work
Our journey began with a visit to Honest MADE, a recycling and manufacturing centre in South Lombok. There, we met Tom, who walked us through the extraordinary process of transforming Indonesia’s waste plastics into sustainable furniture and community products.
Honest MADE collaborates closely with local businesses and residents to collect, sort, and recycle plastic, transforming environmental challenges into tangible solutions. Their work represents the very essence of purpose-driven innovation.
From there, we travelled to the Block Solutions factory. This is where plastic waste is converted into lightweight, modular building blocks used to construct the new schools. These blocks are more sustainable than traditional bricks, faster to assemble, and better suited for regions vulnerable to earthquakes.
Later that day, we rolled up our sleeves at SDN 2 Pemenang Barat, helping raise the walls of a new classroom. This hands-on experience was more than physical work – it was an act of unity and shared purpose. We connected with passionate teachers, skilled builders, and community members who reminded us what this mission is really about: people.
Day Two: A School Transformed
The following day, we witnessed the heart of Mission Impact – the official opening of Seruni Mumbul 3 Primary School.
For years, this school had struggled: overcrowded classrooms, damaged buildings, and only two toilets for hundreds of students. Some children had to attend class in the afternoons simply due to space shortages.
Now, with help from Classroom of Hope and the generosity of the BBG community, Seruni Mumbul 3 has been transformed. Recycled plastic classrooms now stand where broken walls once stood, offering a safe, vibrant environment for learning.
Gratitude to Our Community
We want to express our deepest gratitude to the clients who joined us on this journey: Craig, Cheryl, Kelly, Gary, Jaymee, Dan, Fraser, and Selena. Your presence, energy, and compassion were felt at every step.
And to all the clients who supported this initiative at the 2024 Business Benchmark Group Summit, thank you. Your generosity in helping raise the funds made this entire mission possible. We are continually inspired by the strength and heart of our community.
Special thanks also go to Jason Wood MP and Officeworks, whose generous donation of stationery supplies brought joy and excitement to the students.
A Family-Led Vision
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Kazakis family for their leadership and generosity. It’s through their unwavering belief in making a difference beyond business that this opportunity came to life, allowing clients and team members to contribute to a cause that truly matters.
What’s Next?
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more updates, images, and personal reflections from the trip on our social media channels. We hope these stories will inspire others to get involved and remind us all of the power of collective action.
When business owners come together with purpose, we don’t just grow enterprises – we grow communities, futures, and lives.
Together, we are building more than schools.
We’re building hope, opportunity, and a brighter future.
