One Heart, Many Roles: A Story of Change
IofC Indonesia Weekly Update #10
There is something I always remember from my conversation with Leena Aunty at Asia Plateau, India, when I was doing my internship there. There was a time when I felt bored singing in training sessions for government officials, military personnel, or corporate managers. I was more interested in facilitating sessions or singing IofC songs in Grampari because I felt closer to the people there. They were illiterate women living in villages, lacking easy access to education, and living in poverty. However, Leena Aunty gave me a message:
"Nenden, we must serve everyone without discrimination. Whether rich or poor, an official or an ordinary citizen, everyone must be served because everyone needs IofC."
I remembered all those messages because the current situation feels almost the same. I can see the reality of most Indonesian people who are struggling hard to survive, but also working with business people who have many advantages over ordinary working people. Both sides equally need peace in their hearts, to accept all challenges, and to struggle to survive, albeit in different circumstances and roles in this world.
After previously discussing and exchanging ideas about a pilot project in the form of a gathering with Chanaya employees, we finally held a gathering on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. We conducted a Quiet Time, Inner Listening, and a sharing session with the owner and some of the Chanaya employees. The owner, Mrs. Pauline, said that she had a great experience that day. After being busy working for so long, she was grateful to be able to pause for a moment, be truly mindful of herself, and connect with her feelings and her life. She also expressed her desire for all her employees to experience the same thing, which is having a Quiet Time and listening to their deepest selves (Inner Listening).
(Mrs. Pauline sharing her experience of Quiet Time and the impact it had on her)
In the middle of the session, just as we were about to explain the Quiet Time procedure, a group of BNI Prioritas bank employees suddenly arrived to offer their products to Mrs. Pauline. Clarine, who was there at the time, actually invited the bank employees to join our session. After we explained it to them, they agreed and genuinely followed the session until the end. They had mixed feelings. They did not expect that a day which started with the intention of working and finding prospective clients would actually lead them to experience a Quiet Time session that gave them new perspectives into their lives.
The next day, we were invited to visit the Jodamo warehouse, tour their store, and see their office before determining the appropriate material for the upcoming employee training. Before going home, we discussed with Natalia and her HR staff to properly brainstorm the training plan to be held this May and June. We came to the conclusion that every human being in this world has a different role. We want to ensure that everyone in the organization can understand their respective roles and carry them out well. We also discussed how IofC can help these business people to hold firmly to principles and good values in every decision making process, even when they have to make very difficult choices. One way is to apply the IofC Four Moral Standards in communicating with employees.
(A discussion with JODAMO on improving employee performance, wellbeing, and addressing HR concerns with IofC support)
We are very excited to welcome the training that will be held in the near future. As a team, we feel honored to have this opportunity. Let us join hands and continue to believe that there is always good hope in this life. Remain firm in goodness and be patient in facing all challenges.
If you are interested in being a part of our journey and want to provide support, please send your support via email to indonesia@iofc.org, or channel your donation to IofC Indonesia by contacting Pipit.
Salam Damai!
Written by Nenden Prawira
Editing and translation: Ari Budi Santosa
Proofreader : Peter Heyes