The Spirit and Dedication of the BRI Minister Brings Banking Access to the People of North Toraja Mountains

Elce Putri Bontong, a BRI micro-marketing officer or commonly called BRI Mantri who serves in the Bolu Unit, Rantepao, North Toraja, South Sulawesi/Photo: Dok. BRI

TORAJA UTARA - Today's women have an increasingly wide space to show their potential. Not only in big cities, women also prove their toughness to remote areas full of challenges. This spirit is reflected in Elce Putri Bontong, a BRI micro-marketing officer or commonly called BRI Mantri who serves in the Bolu Unit, Rantepao, North Toraja, South Sulawesi.

Serving in the 3T work area (Left Behind, Leading, and Outermost) with an easy travel area, it did not dampen Elce's spirit to provide financial services for the community.

Every journey he takes to remote villages is not just a job duty, but also a real contribution in moving the wheels of the community's economy.

Elce's toughness is a real portrait of the spirit of women who are not only empowered, but also have an impact on their surrounding environment. Elce's career journey at BRI began in 2013. At that time, he started as a teller before being entrusted to fill the customer service position.

The experience of serving customers in the office actually made him want to have a wider role. The opportunity came in 2020 when he participated in the Mantri BRI recruitment and was finally placed in the Toraja region

"I am interested in becoming a Mantri because I think the scope of service will be wider. Previously, as a teller and CS, it was limited to the building, so I waited for customers to come. I want to pick up the ball on the field, so I'm interested in becoming a Mantri. If it's outside, the customer's needs are more diverse," said Elce.

BRI Bolu Unit became the second unit held by Elce while carrying out his duties as BRI Mantri. From this unit, he handles customers in Karre Pananian Village, Nanggala District, North Toraja Regency.

The area is about 35 kilometers from the unit's office. Although the distance does not seem too far, the journey to the village must pass through a mountainous road with challenging terrain conditions.

As a woman, the journey to the village is certainly not without risk. The lonely roads, passing through forests and hills, are challenges that must be faced almost every day. However, Elce has his own way of ensuring safety during duty.

"If the customers in the village are mostly farmers and livestock farmers, such as pig farmers, buffaloes. The financial services I provide are usually loans and savings. If the loan is usually used to increase capital, for example, buy livestock, fattening, basically to develop their business," explained Elce.

In addition to providing access to financing, he is also active in educating the public about the importance of saving at the bank. This is a challenge in itself, because some residents are still used to storing cash at home. To answer this need, Elce also presents BRILink Agents in the village so that people can more easily carry out financial transactions.

"I also educate slowly the importance of saving in the bank. I also make a BRILink Agent in the village, the goal is to make it easier for people to save or withdraw money. Toraja people are nomads, many of their children work outside the city, outside the island. So, they don't have to tip money to others if they want to send money to their families," explained Elce.

For Elce, the greatest happiness comes when he sees the business of his customers grow.

"Of course I feel proud. When I first saw customers who might have just had 1-2 livestock, then a year later I met me again and the livestock had become 100 after getting capital loans from BRI, I felt happy because I could help them. Even though it's not my money, but there is a sense of happiness to help move the economy of the community. That's what makes me proud," he concluded.

On a separate occasion, BRI's Corporate Secretary Dhanny added that with a strong understanding of the business character, regional potential, and customer financial needs, BRI Mantri not only channels financing, but also acts as a financial advisor who oversees business growth through comprehensive assistance from the initial stage to developing.

"BRI always instills positive work culture values for all workers so that commitment and dedication are created by the ministers in the field. This is a tangible proof of the contribution of women in promoting the people's economy. Elce's story also confirms that women are not only able to adapt, but also become the driving force of the community's economy," said Dhanny. (ADV)