Yogyakarta, September 26, 2026 — Sometimes, the most meaningful moments in a partnership are not found in formal meetings or written agreements. They are found in the smiles of children, the laughter shared across generations, and the simple moments when people sit together, listen, and connect.
That was the atmosphere at the Children Crisis Center (CCC) of Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia (The Dreamhouse) when Rotary leaders visited the center and spent time with the children.
The visit was led by Senda Lesmana, District Governor of Rotary District D3410, together with Mr. Akihiko Ikai from Rotary Club of Tokyo Itabashi Central. They were accompanied by Rotary leaders from the Yogyakarta Area: DDG Sita, AG Teddy, and AG Yessi.
Rather than being simply a courtesy visit, the gathering became an opportunity to strengthen a shared commitment to children and their future.
More Than a Visit: Building Connections with Children
From the moment the guests arrived, the children welcomed them with enthusiasm, smiles, and plenty of curiosity.
The room quickly became a space of interaction. Children introduced themselves, shared moments of laughter, posed for photographs, and interacted naturally with the visiting Rotarians.
These seemingly simple moments are meaningful.
For children who have experienced exploitation, neglect, violence, or difficult circumstances, positive relationships with caring adults can become an important part of their journey toward healing and growth.
The Children Crisis Center provides a safe environment where children can receive support, education, character development, and opportunities to develop their talents.
At Dreamhouse, we believe that children should not be defined by the difficult circumstances they have experienced. They should also be given opportunities to discover who they can become.
Supporting the Right to Development
The visit also reminds us of one of the four fundamental rights of children: the right to development.
Every child has the right to grow physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and creatively. Development is not limited to academic achievement. It also includes the opportunity to discover talents, build confidence, develop relationships, and dream about the future.
This principle is central to Dreamhouse’s work. Our Children Crisis Center supports children not only through protection and recovery, but also by providing access to formal education, character education, and talent development.
The smiles we saw during this visit are therefore more than photographs. They represent moments in which children are able to experience something every child deserves: being welcomed, valued, and encouraged to grow.
Connecting Children’s Development with Education
The collaboration between Dreamhouse and Rotary Club of Jogja Merapi has included talent development workshops designed to help children explore their abilities and interests.
This partnership also connects naturally with one of Rotary International’s Areas of Focus: Basic Education and Literacy.
Rotary identifies Basic Education and Literacy as one of its Areas of Focus and states that its work seeks to strengthen communities’ capacity to support basic education and literacy and to support education for children and literacy for children and adults.
Education, however, is not only about what happens inside a classroom.
For children at risk, education can also mean discovering a talent, learning a new skill, developing confidence, meeting positive role models, and realizing that their future can be different from their past.
That is why talent development matters.
When a child discovers that they are good at something, enjoys learning, or receives encouragement from someone who believes in them, a new sense of possibility can emerge.
Partnership for a Brighter Future
The presence of Rotary leaders from District D3410, Rotary Club of Tokyo Itabashi Central, and the Yogyakarta Area demonstrates the importance of collaboration in creating opportunities for children.
Dreamhouse was founded in Yogyakarta to accompany children at risk and believes that children who experience difficult circumstances still have the same rights and opportunities to pursue their dreams.
No single organization can respond to every challenge facing vulnerable children. It takes families, communities, schools, social organizations, government institutions, volunteers, donors, and partners who are willing to walk alongside children.
The collaboration between Dreamhouse and Rotary Club of Jogja Merapi is one expression of that shared responsibility.
A Future Worth Investing In
As the visit came to an end, what remained was not only a group photograph, but a room full of memories: smiles, conversations, laughter, and new connections.
For the children, it was an opportunity to meet people from different places and experience the encouragement of adults who are interested in their lives and potential.
For Dreamhouse and Rotary, it was another reminder that meaningful change often begins with something very simple: showing up for children.
Because every child deserves the opportunity to learn.
Every child deserves the opportunity to develop their potential.
And every child deserves someone who says: “We believe in you.”
At Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia, we will continue working with partners and communities to create safe spaces where vulnerable children can heal, learn, develop their talents, and dream again.