Protecting children requires more than good intentions. It takes people who are willing to be present, learn, and take action to create a safe environment for every child. Through the inauguration of its Parent Volunteers for Child Protection, Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia strengthens its commitment to building a family- and community-based child protection system.
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment. Every child has the right to love and proper care, education, protection from violence, and opportunities to express their views and pursue their dreams.
Yet, not every child enjoys these rights. Violence, neglect, exploitation, and various parenting challenges remain serious concerns in children’s lives, sometimes even within the environments closest to them.
The difficulties children experience are not always visible. Some children remain silent when they experience violence. Others are afraid to speak because they fear being blamed. Some simply do not know where to turn for help.
This is why child protection cannot rely solely on institutions or government agencies. Families and communities must become part of a protection system that is present in children’s everyday lives.
With this understanding, Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia (The Dreamhouse Foundation) officially inaugurated its Parent Volunteers for Child Protection on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as part of its A Day of Care event.
The inauguration marked an important milestone in Dreamhouse’s ongoing efforts to strengthen parental and community involvement in creating safer, more caring, and responsive environments for children.
Government Support for Community-Based Child Protection
The inauguration ceremony was officiated by Mr. Wawan Widiantoro, S.I.P., MPA, Head of the Sleman Regency Social Affairs Office, representing the Vice Regent of Sleman, Mr. Danang Maharsa, S.E.
On this occasion, the Vice Regent also conveyed his congratulations and support through a special recorded video message addressed to the newly inaugurated volunteers.
This support from the Sleman Regency Government serves as an expression of appreciation and encouragement for parents who are willing to take a more active role in protecting children within their communities.
Collaboration between families, communities, social organizations, and government institutions is essential to building a stronger child protection system. Each party has a complementary role in ensuring that when a child faces difficulties, there are caring adults and appropriate services available to provide support.
For Dreamhouse, this inauguration is more than a ceremonial event. It represents a commitment to turning concern for children into meaningful action within the community.
From Training to a Community-Based Child Protection Movement
The inauguration of the Parent Volunteers for Child Protection was the continuation of a series of child protection training sessions attended by parents from Dreamhouse’s assisted communities throughout 2024–2026.
Before their inauguration, the prospective volunteers participated in a preparatory workshop on October 31, 2026, at Rivea Cafe & Co-Working Space, Seturan, Yogyakarta. The workshop provided an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of child protection, clarify their roles and responsibilities, establish coordination mechanisms, and learn about appropriate reporting and referral procedures.
During the preparation process, participants also received the Parent Volunteer Child Protection Handbook as a practical guide for carrying out their responsibilities.
The volunteers are expected to become caring adults who are attentive to children’s circumstances within their communities. Their roles include recognizing changes in children’s behavior, listening without judgment, encouraging positive parenting, and connecting children and families with appropriate services when assistance is needed.
Of course, volunteers are not substitutes for social workers, psychologists, healthcare professionals, or law enforcement officers. They must understand and respect the boundaries of their responsibilities. They must not conduct independent investigations, disclose sensitive information about children, or attempt mediation that could compromise a child’s safety.
Their role is to serve as a safe link between children, families, communities, and available child protection services.
Upholding the Four Fundamental Rights of Children
The presence of Parent Volunteers for Child Protection is also expected to strengthen the fulfillment of children’s four fundamental rights: the right to life, the right to protection, the right to growth and development, and the right to participation.
These four rights are interconnected and cannot be separated.
1. The Right to Life
Every child has the right to life, legal identity, and access to basic needs such as healthcare, education, and social protection.
Parent volunteers are expected to help identify families experiencing difficulties in obtaining their children’s civil registration documents, including birth certificates and Child Identity Cards. These documents are more than administrative requirements; they are essential gateways for children to access their rights.
2. The Right to Protection
Every child has the right to be protected from physical violence, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, and all forms of treatment that undermine their dignity.
Volunteers are expected to recognize warning signs, listen to children with empathy, maintain confidentiality, and connect children with appropriate protection services.
3. The Right to Growth and Development
Every child has the right to proper care, education, healthcare, opportunities to play, and an environment that supports their physical, mental, social, and emotional development.
Through the involvement of parent volunteers, Dreamhouse hopes that more parents will understand the importance of positive parenting and make their homes safe places for children to grow and thrive.
4. The Right to Participation
Every child has the right to express their opinions and feelings and to be heard in matters that affect their lives.
Parent volunteers are encouraged to promote open communication within families. Children need to feel that their voices matter, their opinions are valued, and they will not be blamed when they have the courage to share the difficulties they are experiencing.
These four fundamental rights cannot be fulfilled independently. Children need environments that not only protect them from harm but also provide opportunities to grow, learn, participate, and pursue their dreams.
Building a Safer Environment Starts with Us
Throughout its years of working with children at risk, Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia has learned that child protection requires the involvement of many different stakeholders. The challenges children face are often connected to family circumstances, social environments, economic conditions, parenting practices, and access to essential services.
For this reason, building a child protection system cannot begin only when violence has already occurred. Prevention must start within the environments closest to children.
A caring neighbor, a parent who is willing to listen, or a community member who knows where to refer a case can make a significant difference in a child’s life.
We may not always be able to solve every problem a child faces. But we can choose not to turn away when a child needs help.
Through the inauguration of these Parent Volunteers for Child Protection, Dreamhouse hopes to see more adults taking an active role in creating safer and more child-friendly communities.
Our sincere appreciation goes to the Sleman Regency Government for its support and encouragement, particularly to Mr. Wawan Widiantoro, S.I.P., MPA, and Mr. Danang Maharsa, S.E. We also extend our gratitude to all the parents who have committed themselves to serving their communities through their roles as child protection volunteers.
The journey ahead is still long. But every act of care is a meaningful step towards change.
Because protecting children is not only about preventing them from being harmed. It is also about ensuring that they have the opportunity to live, grow, be heard, and dream.
Every Child Safe. Every Dream Matters.