Nadif is plating food with Allea and Haidar. While working, they showed Nadif the results of their work. They chatted in their own language and laughed together.
“In the past, Indonesia experienced colonialism, which resulted in inequality. Similarly, on the island of Java, there were those who were above and those who were below—it was an unjust culture. In fact, culture is something we create ourselves. We can create the culture we want,” said Nadine Hoover in one of our discussion sessions.
I am grateful, feel empowered, and enlightened by this statement. Since joining PAUD Joglo, Peace Place Pati inclusive school, I have realized that the culture I experienced before was very different. Many of these differences stem from a long and painful history, especially in terms of attitudes towards children with special needs.
In Joglo, I heard stories from parents that mirrored my own childhood experiences: in their communities, children with special needs were often considered a disgrace, a burden, even something to be avoided for fear that other children would be “infected.” This kind of attitude is truly saddening.
However, my experience at PAUD Joglo was very different. Here, we embraced each other and learned together, becoming both teachers and students. We cultivated a new culture—a culture that sees everyone as a good and capable person. We believe that every child has the right to grow, learn, and be loved.
One of the most touching experiences was when typical children began to bond with children with Down Syndrome who were initially very shy. We learned sign language from one of the parents who was deaf and mute, then began to build simple communication with the children. It turned out that sign language had a big impact, especially for children who did not yet use words or who tended to be shy.
Children generally begin to actively invite their friends with special needs to communicate using sign language that they understand. The results are amazing: children who previously liked to hide begin to dare to mingle, even initiating interactions and forming close relationships. I am very grateful to see this development.
During reading time, I saw the children choosing their favorite books and sitting in groups with all their friends regardless of their differences. They talked about the contents of the books using their own languages—body language, sign language, or everyday language. There was no teasing, no derogatory words. They understood and respected each other. When someone couldn’t express themselves with words, they still listened and responded with empathy.
This is very different from my childhood. Back then, children who couldn’t speak were often looked down upon, even laughed at. In my family, when my parents saw this happening, they encouraged me to speak up and say that it wasn’t right. One day, I tried to speak up about the injustice when my friend was being belittled, but because I was still young, the people around me didn’t hear my voice. Now, being in the cooperative and respectful environment of the Joglo Early Childhood Education Center, I feel greatly empowered. It feels like the wounds of my childhood are slowly healing.
One insight I gained is that labeling is a form of oppression, and the pain it causes is deeply felt, even by young children. Is this the kind of culture we want to create in our families and communities? I believe that the small steps I take toward peace will help change the world.
The child arranged her dolls to sit down, then she fed her child while telling stories and occasionally saying, “Please eat quickly.”