The Island Foundation was founded by Nikoi Island in 2009. The Island Foundation was formally incorporated in Indonesia as a Yayasan (the local equivalent of a foundation) with the name Harapan Anak Pulau, which in English means, “Hope of the Island Children”. The reference to children does not mean that children are our only focus but rather that the long term benefit of the Foundation’s work will be for future generations as it is recognized that many of our goals will only be achieved over time.

The Foundation is run and managed by local Indonesians with the principal objective of helping the community to help themselves. Funding for the foundation will initially be provided by Nikoi Island but longer term the objective is for the foundation to develop sustainable businesses so that it becomes self-financing. The Population & Development Association (“PDA”), a NGO established in 1974 has agreed to be our joint venture partner and lend their experience and vast knowledge to the project.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Peter Timmer is the founder of the Foundation. Peter was born in Santa Barbara, USA and has spent the last 25 years of his life in Asia and the last 17 years on Bintan. Prior to arriving in Asia he was involved in boat construction and worked as a captain in the yachting industry. Peter is one of the founders of Nikoi Island, is fluent in bahasa, lives in Tanjung Pinang, Bintan and is well known and respected in the local community.

Sam Fadlil has been appointed as a director of the Foundation and to the main steering committee member and is employed full time to work on the Foundation. Sam is originally from Bintan but has spent many years abroad. He trained in hospitality before moving to New York where he worked as a lithographer for twenty years. After leaving NY he sailed single handed back to Indonesia to pursue his passion for local crafts and all things nautical. He also took the opportunity to complete his Hajj. Sam has a great interest in education and a fascination and love for the sea and the environment. Sam maintains a blog which gives a personal view on the trials and tribulations of establishing the Foundation.

Pak Faisal has been appointed as Secretary. Born in Tanjung Pinang, Bintan, Faisal studied Computer Science in Jakarta graduating in 2001. He has been employed by Nikoi Island as Administrative Manager since 2007. Prior to that he was a general contractor and human resources agent. Faisal lives in Tanjung Pinang with his wife.

Pak Mansud Reja has been appointed as Treasurer. He was born in the village of Telok Bakau and is married with two children. Mansud has been working as a manager on Nikoi Island since it opened in 2007 and has been employed in the hospitality industry since 1997.

Ubu Erni has been appointed to act as Watchdog. Erni is married with two children and lives in Tanjung Pinang. She is Certified Public Accountant and Tax Consultant with a Masters in Economics (Accounting Major).

Ed Jenne has been been appointed as an Advisor. Ed has lived in Singapore since 2001 and is one of the partners in Nikoi Island. Whilst a native of the UK he has worked in Asian finance for the last 23 years, the last 5 at CLSA where he works closely with their philanthropic efforts through CLSA’s Chairman's Trust.

Andrew Dixon has been appointed as an Advisor. Andrew was born in Australia but has lived in Singapore for 11 years and is one of the founders of Nikoi Island. Andrew is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and has a Masters and Bachelor degrees in Economics.

ABOUT NIKOI ISLAND

Nikoi Island is a private island that was developed as a boutique holiday destination by a group of Singapore based expatriates. Having chanced across this relatively unspoilt coastline the focus of the development was to create a sustainable tourism project that would engage and support the local community. By using local suppliers and employees to build and operate it they have demonstrated how sustainable tourism can work and is a first in this area. The development has been successful enough that Nikoi Island requires no advertising budget and so has committed to spending this saving on helping to establish The Island Foundation.

The PDA is the leading and most diversified NGO in Thailand, employing over 800 staff members and working with over 12,000 volunteers. The PDA has 18 regional development centers and branch offices located in 15 provinces in rural Thailand.

PDA has pioneered sustainable grassroots endeavors, marked by extensive villager involvement not only as beneficiaries, but also as partners, planners, managers and leaders. PDA’s programs are based on the belief that local people are best suited to be an equal partner in shaping and sustaining their own development.