An atmosphere of excitement filled the Happy Dream Academy on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Dozens of children aged 12-17 from five areas supported by The Dream House Indonesia Foundation (Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia) gathered for the Kids Forum titled “Empowering Children.” This event, held in collaboration with the Rotary Club Jogja Merapi, was specifically designed as a platform to train children’s courage and public speaking abilities.
The workshop aimed to equip the children with essential public speaking skills. The hope is that they will not only be able to express their opinions, experiences, and ideas but also grow into agents of change in their respective communities.
High Enthusiasm Throughout Every Session
The event kicked off with registration and warm welcomes from representatives of The Dream House Indonesia Foundation and the Rotary Club Jogja Merapi. The highlight was an interactive public speaking session led by Mrs. Sumiyar Mahanani, an experienced Personal Development Trainer.
What made this event special was that it wasn’t just about theory. The children were immediately encouraged to practice what they learned. With themes like ‘The Me of Yesterday and The Me of Today’ or ‘Me, My Dreams, and My Small Actions,’ each participant took a turn stepping forward with newfound courage.
“Through direct practice, they learned to manage nervousness, structure their thoughts, and use effective body language, eye contact, and voice intonation. This space gave them the confidence to express themselves,” the facilitator explained.
More Than Just Theory, It Was All About Practice!
Active participation was evident throughout the practice session. Though initially shy, their voices gradually grew louder and more expressive. Each child was given the freedom to tell their story, share their dreams, and voice their thoughts on everyday issues.
This activity was more than just a training session; it was a concrete step towards building confident, critical, and communicative character from an early age.
A Hopeful Conclusion
The Kids Forum: Empowering Children was a resounding success and achieved its goals. The children’s enthusiasm and bravery were proof that they are capable of becoming skilled speakers and the future leaders of tomorrow.
The Dream House Indonesia Foundation hopes this experience will be a valuable asset for each child, empowering them to continue growing and advocating for their rights with confidence and responsibility.
Thank you to all the supporting parties, especially the Rotary Club Jogja Merapi, mentors, and facilitators, who worked together to create an inspiring and empowering learning space.