Ryhanna Sitorus

Redefining Education Through Empathy and Empowerment

Ryhanna Sitorus

At just 16 years old, Ryhanna Sitorus from Indonesia (currently living in the United States) is spearheading a movement that is transforming education into a space of inclusivity, compassion, and community. As the founder of She Loves to Educate, Ryhanna leads with a vision that challenges traditional systems and uplifts the very students often left behind.

A Movement Born from Empathy

She Loves to Educate is a youth-led initiative that seeks to make education more inclusive, empowering, and accessible. For Ryhanna, the project isn’t just about academic achievement—it’s about belonging. “We want students to not just be in school, but to feel like they belong there,” she says. Her mission began with a simple yet profound observation: too many young people doubt themselves or feel excluded from learning spaces. Ryhanna envisioned a platform where students could not only succeed academically but also grow emotionally and socially.

From Uncertainty to Impact

Ryhanna’s path to social impact was not without challenges. Initially, her perfectionism made it difficult to launch content or trust her instincts. But with the support of co-founders Giahan, Doando, and Viktoria Sobetzko, she slowly overcame the pressure to be flawless. “I didn’t need to be perfect to create something meaningful,” she reflects. This realization became the bedrock of her leadership style.

An unexpected investment opportunity helped catapult their vision into action. One of Ryhanna’s friend's parents, an angel investor, believed in the mission and pledged support. This led to the birth of Seeds of Knowledge, their first international initiative, in collaboration with Titik Pustaka in Indonesia.

Programs Rooted in Purpose

Through She Loves to Educate, Ryhanna and her team offer mentorship programs, study workshops, leadership seminars, storytelling campaigns, and book donation drives. Their model balances online accessibility with real-world engagement. Volunteers can earn hours while making a difference, and students find both peer support and resources to thrive.

One of the program's milestones has been raising IDR 75 million (around USD $4,700), used to launch global campaigns and outreach. The initiative has since impacted over 20,000 students worldwide, with more expansions planned.

Transforming Struggle into Strength

Leading such a movement has taught Ryhanna as much about herself as it has about others. “I had to take off my heroine shield and let others help me,” she confesses. That vulnerability became her strength. Today, she sees students creating their own educational clubs, mentoring peers, and advocating for structural changes in their communities.

Looking forward, Ryhanna aims to open international branches, launch ambassador programs, and expand into new thematic chapters. Her goal is to reach more students while nurturing their leadership potential from within.

Faith, Family, and the Future

What sustains Ryhanna isn’t just strategy—it’s spirituality and solidarity. “It’s God who gives me strength and guidance every day,” she says. Her family, friends, and her team are constant sources of encouragement. What drives her is seeing the real change: students who once doubted themselves now lead with confidence.

She Loves to Educate is more than a project; it's a reflection of Ryhanna's belief in the human spirit. Her message to the world is clear: you don't need to have it all figured out to make a difference. You can grow while you give. And through that, the most meaningful change can begin.

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Ryhanna Sitorus: Redefiniendo la Educación con Empatía y Empoderamiento

Con solo 16 años, Ryhanna Sitorus, desde Estados Unidos, está liderando un movimiento que está transformando la educación en un espacio de inclusión, compasión y comunidad. Como fundadora de She Loves to Educate, Ryhanna impulsa una visión que desafía los sistemas tradicionales y eleva a los estudiantes que muchas veces son olvidados.

Un Movimiento Nacido de la Empatía

She Loves to Educate es una iniciativa juvenil que busca hacer de la educación algo más inclusivo, accesible y empoderador. Para Ryhanna, el proyecto no se trata solo del éxito académico, sino de pertenencia. “Queremos que los estudiantes no solo estén en la escuela, sino que sientan que pertenecen a ella”, afirma. Su misión comenzó al observar cómo muchos jóvenes se sentían excluidos y dudaban de sí mismos. Ryhanna quiso crear un espacio donde pudieran crecer académica y emocionalmente.

De la Incertidumbre al Impacto

El camino de Ryhanna no estuvo libre de obstáculos. Su perfeccionismo al principio la frenaba, pero gracias al apoyo de sus cofundadores Giahan, Doando y Viktoria Sobetzko, aprendió a confiar en el proceso. “No necesitaba ser perfecta para crear algo significativo”, comparte. Esa lección se convirtió en su estandarte de liderazgo.

Una oportunidad inesperada de inversión ayudó a impulsar el proyecto. El padre de una amiga, interesado en startups, creyó en la iniciativa y financió su primer gran proyecto: Seeds of Knowledge, lanzado en Indonesia junto a Titik Pustaka.

Programas con Propósito

She Loves to Educate ofrece programas de mentoría, talleres de estudio, liderazgo, campañas de historias inspiradoras y donación de libros. El modelo combina accesibilidad digital con actividades presenciales. Los voluntarios ganan horas de servicio mientras transforman vidas, y los estudiantes reciben apoyo emocional y académico.

Uno de sus mayores logros ha sido recaudar 75 millones de IDR (unos 4.700 dólares), lo que permitió implementar campañas globales. Hoy, el proyecto ha llegado a más de 20,000 estudiantes en el mundo, y planean seguir expandiéndose.

Convertir el Desafío en Fortaleza

Dirigir esta iniciativa transformó a Ryhanna. Aprendió a dejar de lado el orgullo y aceptar ayuda. Esa vulnerabilidad la fortaleció. Ahora, ve a estudiantes creando clubes, guiando a otros y abogando por una educación justa.

Próximamente, quiere abrir sucursales internacionales, lanzar programas de embajadores estudiantiles y diversificar los temas de sus capítulos. El objetivo: inspirar a más estudiantes a liderar desde su realidad.

Fe, Familia y Futuro

Lo que sostiene a Ryhanna no es solo estrategia, sino fe. “Dios me da fuerza y guía cada día”, dice. Su familia, amigos y equipo son pilares esenciales. Ver el cambio real en los estudiantes es lo que la impulsa a seguir.

She Loves to Educate es un reflejo del alma de Ryhanna. Su mensaje es claro: no necesitas tener todo resuelto para marcar la diferencia. Puedes crecer mientras das. Y así, comienza el cambio más transformador.

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