Group photo after the beginning-of-the-year meeting. Sharing strengths and ways to support children at home, and discussing the agenda for the coming year.
At the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Joglo family held a meeting to discuss plans for the coming year. Around 35 people attended in a warm atmosphere.
The event began with prayers according to each person’s religion and beliefs, followed by introductions. To create a more intimate atmosphere, everyone was asked to stand up and find a new friend they wanted to get to know better. They introduced themselves by name, described themselves with an adjective, and shared a positive strength they possessed. Everyone moved around, got acquainted, and finally sat back down to form a large circle. One by one, they introduced themselves while being greeted simultaneously with “Hi…” by all participants while mentioning their positive adjectives.
Laughter filled the room. There was a sense of pride, disbelief, and admiration when everyone mentioned their adjectives. These mixed feelings made the atmosphere even warmer and more enthusiastic. After the introductions, we began a friendly and casual discussion about the program for the coming year, followed by a question and answer session. Agatha, one of the parents who is also the Chair of the Joglo Association, expressed her desire to share experiences with fellow parents again, as well as to practice Building a Culture of Fairness and Peace, as had been done with the previous batch. This proposal was well received, and it was agreed that the training would be held every weekend starting in August 2025.
Togetherness feels so precious, especially amid everyone’s busy schedules. Besides the mothers, grandparents and caregivers were also present, accompanying the children because their parents were at work. The meeting ended with everyone sharing one good word for the day. However, some parents chose to stay a little longer, sharing stories, calming themselves, and regulating their emotions through conversation.
This meeting raised awareness that many children grow up being cared for by their grandparents or nannies. Time spent with parents is often very limited, as both parents are exhausted. Often, parents do not have the time to learn the best ways to support their children. This pattern continues to repeat itself, posing a unique challenge for Joglo.
This is where Joglo plays a role: encouraging all parties to realize that peace actually already exists—within ourselves, between us, and together with us. In reality, violence still sometimes occurs, even in classrooms that are supposed to be safe. Delayed development, differences in life experiences, and the trauma experienced by children often influence how they interact with their peers, as well as how parents respond to their children’s behavior. This is a shared concern that motivates us to rise up and heal.
Joglo continues to take small steps, building bridges of recovery between humans and themselves, their fellow humans, and nature. Through inclusive education, permaculture values, and an approach that respects diversity and local culture, it all starts in a simple space: early childhood classrooms.
Parent education is also carried out in which parents listen to one another’s concerns, acknowledge their strengths, recognize past wounds, and open the way for healing. For the sake of their children and grandchildren, they are committed to building a safe space, respecting each other, and continuing to learn to build a culture of justice and peace that begins with themselves.
The meeting concluded with an agreement: each person would take one simple point to practice in their daily lives and with their children and families. This commitment rings true!
Early-year meeting: Agatha, sitting at the far right, proposed holding CCJP training for parents as a foundation for parents to accompany their children and families.