When they hear the word “farmer,” some people might immediately picture a humble or lowly person who has spent their days toiling in the soil and under the scorching sun. Most people will even instinctively downplay the conversation when talking to a farmer. In a remote corner of Tana Toraja, in a small village called Lembang (Desa) Maroson, a farmer who is also a contract teacher is shattering that stereotype. He has become a source of inspiration for many people—not only his family and fellow villagers, but also people from around the world, from Asia to Europe to the Americas, who have come to witness his life firsthand. Through this humble figure, the flame of passion continues to burn, constantly reminding us that you don’t have to be big to think big. Here’s a glimpse into the story of Natsir, the little man who thinks big.

From a young age, his life was full of struggles. He once worked as a laborer—building bridges and roads, taking on odd jobs just to survive. Then, armed with the English he’d learned in the city, fate led him to become a tour guide in his homeland, a place renowned for its natural beauty and culture. He tried inviting one of his guests to visit his home and his lush garden. The guest was impressed by the warmth of Natsir’s family and the small garden he owned. From then on, Natsir began frequently taking his guests home via a hiking trail—simply to introduce them to his family or share a lunch together. He realized that his ability to speak English opened up broader opportunities.

Then one day, the young Natsir—a high school graduate—wanted to continue his education at the university level so he could teach at a school. He mustered the courage to ask for a loan from one of his guests, who had visited Toraja several times and often stopped by his house. Without hesitation, the guest lent him the money to continue his studies. But once he received the funds, Natsir made a different decision: to build a classroom at the top of his family’s garden. It was a classroom he would use to teach English to local children. It was in this room—with wooden walls and a thatched roof—that the seeds of Natsir Eco School were sown: a free English-language learning center for children in the village.

In his spare time as a farmer and former tour guide, Natsir has made it his mission to help the children in his village learn English without having to pay a high price. Although English is already part of the elementary school curriculum, quite a few children still cannot speak English. If they want to add more study hours through private lessons, it requires additional costs and such lessons are only available in the city. Meanwhile, in the village, many children have nothing to do after school ends. This is what worries Natsir: many children spend their time hanging out drinking Ballo (a traditional Toraja palm wine), racing motorcycles, or engaging in other activities that are not beneficial to their growth, development, or future. These concerns prompted Natsir to start free English classes, which are “paid for” simply by collecting plastic waste that his students find on the streets. In this way, he not only teaches the language but also instills environmental awareness from an early age. For him, education and environmental conservation must go hand in hand.

Natsir’s desire to create a beautiful environment is not limited to his language lessons. He has also set up a special trash bin for plastic waste along the road leading into his village. In fact, he also avoids using chemicals in his garden, such as pesticides or herbicides. Natsir realizes that the produce from his garden will be enjoyed by his family and tourists visiting his home, and he doesn’t want the people he cares about to suffer the negative effects of these chemicals. In fact, his garden yields much higher yields when he uses natural materials.

In addition to teaching and farming, Natsir also invites volunteers from all over the world to contribute to his school and village. They come from diverse backgrounds; some teach languages or various artistic skills, while others help develop sustainable farming methods. The presence of these volunteers further enriches the village children’s experiences and broadens their perspective on the world.

Although he lived a simple life, Natsir never stopped dreaming big. He believed that every child has the right to a proper education without having to leave behind their cultural roots and community. Through his unique approach, he successfully taught that learning doesn’t always have to take place in a classroom—it can happen anywhere, even in a field or along the road while collecting plastic waste.

What Natsir did proves that a farmer can do more than just farm. Farmers can also be teachers, sources of inspiration, and even agents of change. Despite his humble background, he has a much broader perspective than many people living in big cities. He doesn’t just talk about change—he creates it, one classroom, one child, and one plastic bag of trash at a time.

 

***