Heal the Past and Hope for the Future

Participants also shared personal stories, like Nashat from Iraq, who has been in Indonesia for six years. He is a dentist who graduated from a Ukrainian University, from where he was sent to Indonesia as a refugee. He now runs Through Hope Learning Center, where he and his friends build trust between refugees and local Indonesian people and create spaces for refugees to express their opinions and where they can be heard. He also initiated charity clinics for refugees. “In 2017, I got to know IofC through an Asia Pacific Life Matters Course (LMC). IofC has influenced my life. The community has helped me develop friendships in my community, and tools to listen deep and better understand people, to keep an open mind, and skills for conflict resolution and decision making.”  

On the last day of the camp, the by IofC Indonesia developed games Friends for Life, and Pest Attack were played, designed for people to share their personal stories - a playful and fun way to build trustful connections. As the highlight of the camp, participants learned to turn reflection into actions. Some participants shared that taking quiet time had them. “Being disciplined of having regular quiet time will be one of the things I will continue to implement in my life after the camp,” a participant shared. 

The Trustbuilding camp will be followed up by a community outreach and monthly gatherings designed to share moments of quiet time and exercises.