Bunga, a university student originally from Bandung and now living in Depok, lives a busy life of studying, campus events, and work. Alongside these responsibilities, she carries a deeper story: she is a Muslim who follows Shia Islam, a minority sect.
This choice did not come easily - it was shaped by personal struggles and the courage to walk a path different from her family’s.
Before joining the Trustbuilding Program (TBP), Bunga had never built friendships across different religious backgrounds. Instead, she carried a quiet fear - of being judged, disrespected, or excluded because of her identity.
What Bunga found was different from what she feared. During a sharing circle on religion, she remembers feeling warmth as others listened with curiosity about her faith. She saw no hatred in their eyes. For the first time, she felt her beliefs were not wrong, but worthy of respect. In those conversations, she learned about others’ traditions and also discovered the richness of her own.
TBP also introduced Bunga to the practice of inner listening. Until then, she admits, she had neglected this part of herself. Through listening within, she learned that respecting herself was the first step to respecting others.
The impact did not end with the program. Returning home, Bunga began to shed the fear that had weighed on her for years. She found the courage to speak openly with her father about her choice to follow Shia Islam. His response was not what she hoped he still longed for her to return to his way of faith - but for Bunga, the act of being honest was a breakthrough. She realized that self-discovery is not only about making choices but also about embracing oneself amidst differences.
For Bunga, TBP became more than a program - it became a family. In this diverse community, she discovered true friendship: a space where she could be herself without hiding. Today, Bunga is more confident, open, and mature. She carries with her not only knowledge but also the experience of being accepted and valued.
Her hope is clear: that many more people will find the same strength, acceptance, and transformation through the Trustbuilding Program as she did.