In a world that moves quickly and noisily, empathy can quietly disappear.
Many young people today grow up surrounded by technology, notifications, and endless scrolling. Communication becomes instant, but meaningful connection often feels distant. At school, moments that once invited care and solidarity can now pass unnoticed. A friend struggles, another feels isolated, yet many simply move on.
This reality became the starting point of Friends and Buddies: Building Empathy, a child protection cadre strengthening session held at SMK BOPKRI 1 Yogyakarta on May 20, 2026. The activity brought together 14 students in a reflective learning space focused on one simple but powerful question: How do we truly become a safe friend for others?
Rather than beginning with theories alone, the session invited participants to revisit everyday experiences inside school corridors, classrooms, and friendships. Small situations — a classmate silently struggling, a friend feeling left behind, someone needing support but not knowing how to ask — became meaningful reflections about the importance of empathy in the lives of children and teenagers.
The discussion also introduced participants to the concept of active listening inspired by Carl Rogers. Listening, in this context, is not merely waiting for our turn to speak. It is about being fully present, creating space for someone else’s feelings, and allowing others to feel seen without judgment.
Throughout the afternoon, laughter from ice-breaking games slowly transformed into deeper conversations. Participants shared stories, responded to one another, and reflected on how they could become peer supporters within their school community. The atmosphere reminded us that empathy is not built through lectures alone, but through encounters where young people feel heard and trusted.
At Dreamhouse, we believe child protection is not only about responding to violence after it happens. It is also about nurturing environments where children feel emotionally safe long before harm occurs. Programs like this strengthen young people to become agents of care — friends who notice, listen, and act with compassion.
This activity is part of Dreamhouse’s continuing commitment to building child-friendly spaces and empowering children as active participants in protection efforts. Similar reflections on participation and safe spaces can also be found in our previous programs, including the article about the children’s rights learning forum and our community play-based activities that encouraged connection and belonging across different groups of children.
In the end, empathy may seem like a small thing. But for a child who feels unseen, one caring friend can change everything.