By Petrus with resources from Selly Novy and Sint Aidit Tokoro
From left: Beti Bermanfaat, Dania Fearles, Beni Bijak, Etha Energik, Hermanus Humble.
Selly Novi reports, “The Power of Goodness, AVP mini-workshops, at the orphanage in West Papua is considered successful because the children became happier, dared to speak and listen in discussions, caused courage to emerge, and trained them to think and recognize themselves.”
From September 2021 until mid-November, Selly Novi and her husband, Sint Aidit Tokoro, introduced The Power Of Goodness to the children of the Holei Roo orphanage in Sentani Papua. Seven 2-hour mini-workshop sessions were given with themes of friendship, affirmation, Core self and safety, Transforming Power, communication and cooperation.
The activities were real steps in realizing a culture of peace in Papua. Selly and her husband feel very proud of what has been achieved today which is seen as a success.
They consider their presentation of the Power of Goodness at the orphanage a success, because the children became happier, dared to speak and began to be able to listen to their friends, they became accustomed to having discussions. Feelings of fear and inferiority began to disappear. They even started to get used to practicing thinking and it helped them to get to know themselves and their friends better.
There was no fighting between them anymore. They have the initiative to work, without being asked, such as washing dishes and cleaning the house. At the beginning of the Power of Goodness activity, when Selly Novi came the chairs were empty, but now when Selly comes they are already sitting in a circle. At first, they played very rough and chose hitting toys. Now they can play together without hitting each other and can share with each other.
The children now volunteer to help with writing or to do assignments during workshops. An initiative to schedule time for taking roles during each workshop encouraged the children to do this.
Five teenagers took turns practicing leading the stopping activity at the beginning. Initially when leading or writing they did not listen to others. Now they listen to others. Two children who attended were 11-year-old Junior Jujur (Honest) and 11-year-old Kaleb Kasih (Love). At first, they always made noises and sparked fights. Now that has changed. They are no longer starting fights. Eta (8 years old) and Naomi (11 years old) are two very shy girls. They didn’t even want to talk during the activities. Now they have the courage to talk. The introduction activities gave them practice, and now they are brave enough to talk about themselves and be honest.
Selly Novi felt that the online Personal Transformation Facilitator Training and online Power of Goodness practice routines with Peace Place in Pati were very helpful in supporting her to facilitate these activities.
Sint Aidit Tokoro felt that he was currently experiencing a change himself. Sint learned how to listen well, and to practice not interrupting people. He also felt changes in his family. When he was about to leave, Sint greeted his wife Selly by kissing and hugging her and saying kind words to her. In the church, children and adults are now accustomed to throwing garbage in the bins provided. Children who used to tell lies often have now stopped lying and are beginning to tell the truth.
According to Sint, the activities to create a culture of peace and justice are very good. He is very supportive for these reasons:
1. Papuans really need a peaceful life. From the 1980s until now Papuans have experienced a lot of violence.
2. Selly Novi’s heart is there for the land of Papua, and she has great potential and commitment to living and teaching the Power of Goodness as a tool for Creating a Culture of Peace in Papua.
3. The movement to create a culture of peace in Papua is still in early stages. This activity must continue through local initiatives as well as missionaries who have come.
Touches of love and peace are urgently needed to reach out to many people who come from areas of armed conflict in Papua who are currently living with their families in Sentani and Jayapura. They need a comfortable atmosphere from which to continue the struggle for peaceful self-determination.