My name is Kiany Leksono, but people around me usually call me Any or Kiya. I was born in the city of Kudus. However, I grew up in Pati, Indonesia. I am the oldest of four siblings, each with their own unique personality and interests. I’m grateful to be part of my family. My parents are open-minded and continue to adapt to the times. They are also good listeners and support us in our activities – although, of course, we sometimes argue.
Since childhood, my education has always taken place in Islamic-based schools. From kindergarten to high school, I’ve been in environments that emphasize Islamic values.
I began attending an Islamic boarding school in the second semester of fourth grade. At first, I didn’t live there full-time – I joined afternoon activities but returned home at night. By sixth grade, I became accustomed to staying at the boarding school and only went home once a week. This continued until I graduated from junior high.
For high school, I enrolled in another Islamic boarding school, which was farther from home. The atmosphere was more disciplined, and the learning style was different. Here I began to study Islam more deeply, in greater detail, and with more breadth – thanks to teachers I deeply respected. However, the academic program extended my high school years, so I graduated after five years, later than most of my peers.
During school holidays, I enjoyed reading fiction books and watching movies or documentaries. One day, a video about Buddhism caught my attention. It showed how they integrate religion, science, and environmental protection. I learned about their tree-planting efforts, motivated by the need for wood in cremation ceremonies, which contribute to carbon emissions. That made me think: Islam also involves significant water usage – like for ablution five times a day, bathing, and drinking. It made me reflect on the last time I took concrete action to care for the Earth. It also pushed me to consider how we can care for ourselves by staying open to new and positive experiences.
In 2022, a turning point came when I joined the Regional Justice and Peace Training and met incredible people who introduced me to learning tools for creating a life without violence. There, I began to overcome my fear of speaking to older people and slowly built the courage to express my opinions. What I love most is the idea of making peaceful change together with people from different backgrounds.
I’ve introduced some of these learning tools at my university, and my friends received them warmly. Our first event was in December 2022, and the most recent one was on September 7, 2024. Everything went as planned, but I still didn’t feel confident doing it without the team’s help. In 2025, I’ve made a commitment to change. I want to bring the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) to Salatiga and form my own team. I am training myself to believe that I am capable – and that I can do it.
16 May 2025
The first training that Kiany attended, in 2022. Photo by Wiwit
First time as a facilitator, 29-7-2022