Thinking Outside the Barrel: Thomas’s Path to Scholarship Opportunity

Some stories don’t begin with bold headlines or grand moments. They start quietly, with someone doing their job well, staying curious, and caring deeply. Thomas’s story is one such example. What began as a cleaning role at OCS Indonesia turned into an act of initiative that reflected his own values and the spirit of TRUE – Trust, Respect, Unity, Empowerment.

Born in 1998, Thomas Saputra started his professional life with OCS Indonesia in 2018, fresh out of vocational high school. He describes OCS as his first ‘home’ in the working world, where he took on cleaning responsibilities across sectors, including retail and automotive facilities. For Thomas, each site offered a new chance to learn and contribute.

Despite being young, he quickly showed maturity beyond his years. With a keen eye and a mindset shaped by hands-on experience, he noticed things others might overlook. One day, at a customer’s site, he saw an unused plastic barrel in the warehouse. Where most saw waste, Thomas saw opportunity.

Back at home, he regularly helped his parents with fish farming. That knowledge, quietly gained through daily routines, sparked an idea. Thomas took the discarded barrel, cleaned it thoroughly, and turned it into a small pond suitable for raising fish, like carp and tilapia.

The idea was simple but carried impact. It helped tidy up the site, reused available material, and introduced a sustainable way to grow food.

He cares for the pond after hours, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with his cleaning duties. That level of responsibility and respect for his work has earned him trust from both customers and colleagues, living out the TRUE values OCS always upholds.

A Scholarship for a TRUE Champion

Thomas’s thoughtful approach and commitment to improving his environment didn’t go unnoticed. Earlier this year, he was recognised as one of OCS Indonesia’s TRUE Champion Award winners.

As part of the award, Thomas had the opportunity to meet with the OCS Group and Regional APAC & Middle East Executive Committees. Alongside this recognition, he was also awarded a scholarship to support his higher education. He has since enrolled in a management programme for a Bachelor’s degree, moving confidently towards the next stage of his professional and personal growth.

At OCS Indonesia, we believe that progress is not always measured by title or years. Sometimes, it’s found in the small decisions people make to do more, to think differently, to make people and places the best they can be. We are proud to recognise those efforts, whether through upskilling, access to global-standard education, or simply sharing a story worth celebrating.

Building on his initiative, Thomas stepped up and took action, championing sustainability at a grassroots level.