Dolanan Box volunteers and Islamic boarding school children discussing through pictures
In June 2026, Power of Goodness (PoG) collaborated with Dolanan Box Semarang and Master’s Psychology students from Soegijapranata Catholic University (UNIKA Soegijapranata) to sponsor a Power of Goodness event. This program was made possible with the support of Dolanan Box Semarang. Dolanan Box is a local youth community active in humanitarian work including organizing food sharing activities and reading the Quran together. Their commitment and collaborative spirit brought together diverse communities and resources to make the event possible. Through collective effort and shared purpose, Dolanan Box created an inclusive learning environment for meaningful connection. Thank you, Dolanan Box!
75 people, including Islamic boarding school students, university students, community volunteers, Muslims, Christians, Catholics, and a Catholic priest came together at Nurul Mursyid Islamic boarding school Semarang.
Learning Through the Story
In Power of Goodness, learning happens when people come together to read stories, engage in dialogue, and listen to one another. Diversity creates an opportunity to broaden perspectives and build mutual understanding through warm, open, and respectful dialogue.The theme of this Power of Goodness session was Responsibility. We used the story “Weeding the Field”, featuring Kunta Hadji, an Islamic religious teacher and farmer who fulfills his responsibilities with perseverance and dedication. The story was presented interactively. In small discussion groups, participants reflected on the values they discovered. Each group had printed illustrations to accompany the narrative to help participants understand the storyline, connect with the characters, and relate the story’s message to their own lives.
In discussion, the children confidently shared their thoughts, while university students and community volunteers facilitated conversations and encouraged deeper reflection. Rather than searching for “correct” answers, every participant was given the opportunity to express personal insights and experiences.
One of the students from the Islamic boarding school reflected:
“I want to be like Kunta Hadji. He works hard and truly lives according to the teachings of his faith, just as I am learning here in the pesantren (Islamic boarding school).
Creating Strength from Differences
Participants arrived with varying experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. Yet throughout the program, everyone was united by a shared purpose: to become better individuals by learning universal values such as responsibility, perseverance, compassion, and respect for others.
For the Catholic priest, visiting an Islamic boarding school and participating in such an activity was a completely new experience. He shared:
“This is the first time I have visited an Islamic boarding school. I am deeply moved by the enthusiasm of the participants and the dedication of the organizers. It is truly inspiring that we can gather, learn, and have meaningful conversations with people from different backgrounds.”
Developing Skill in Facilitation
The graduate psychology students from UNIKA Soegijapranata learned how to facilitate discussions, communicate effectively with children, practice active listening, and create a safe and enjoyable learning environment. They saw how facilitation requires empathy, patience, and the ability to build meaningful relationships, along with theoretical knowledge.
Sharing a Meal
Everyone shared a meal at the end. This was a highlight of the day. Everyone- university students, volunteers, pesantren students, and religious leaders- sat together, exchanging stories, laughing, and building new friendships. Fostering tolerance and understanding does not always require complex programs. Sometimes, a shared meal strengthens human connections more powerfully than formal discussions.
Bringing Hope Home
This event offered a transformative experience for everyone involved. Volunteers deepened their understanding of inclusive dialogue, while religious leaders witnessed firsthand how diversity can become a source of strength when people are willing to listen to one another with openness and humility. This event became one of our Power of Goodness team’s most memorable experiences.
Power of Goodness is about far more than reading stories. It creates opportunities for people to meet, learn, and grow together. We believe that lasting change can begin with meaningful small encounters. When people sit together, listen to one another’s stories, share their experiences, and embrace differences with respect, the seeds of peace, friendship, and hope begin to grow.
In an increasingly diverse society, we hope that many more learning spaces like this will emerge, connecting diverse communities and allowing the spirit of goodness to reach more people in the years to come.
Dolanan Box volunteers who lead discussions in small group
Tito and Calista read the story “Weeding the Field”