Sleman, Indonesia – On January 10th, 2025, the fourth graders from Jogjakarta Montessori Elementary School (JMES) took part in a heartwarming charity event at SLB ABCD Tunas Kasih Donoharjo. This program is part of a humanitarian program commitment that offers students a valuable opportunity to learn empathy and moderation in real-life settings.

Integrating lessons from PPKN (Civics Education), the event highlighted the implementation of the 5th principle of Pancasila, which emphasizes social equality and mutual respect. Students learned about the challenges faced by SLB Donoharjo, including the lack of adequate lighting in its prayer room facility. To address this issue, JMES students, guided by their teachers, arranged a donation program where students were encouraged to independently save money over three months, guided by compassion and responsibility. Their collective savings were used to purchase lights for the SLB Donoharjo mosque (musholla) and a mat for the JMES prayer room, enlivening a sense of care and sincerity.

The donation event was held at SLB ABCD Tunas Kasih Donoharjo, fostering a warm and emotional connection between JMES and SLB students. During the visit, JMES students had the unique opportunity to learn sign language from their SLB friends and teachers—an experience that sparked enthusiasm and pride as they uncovered the meaning behind each gesture.

The day concluded with creative activities where JMES students decorated a message board with drawings and positive notes celebrating friendship and inclusion. Additionally, they distributed parcels of snacks and stationery to SLB Donoharjo students, culminating in a group photo that captured the joy and gratitude shared by all.

Beyond achieving the goal of caring for one another, this moment encouraged students to broaden their perspective about the world, recognizing that individuals with special needs may communicate differently, so respect and empathy should be nurtured to support others in feeling safe and valued, as everyone has the right to live a fulfilling life. Aligned with the Montessori philosophy of inclusivity within a learning community, this event reinforced a commitment to promoting diversity and cultivating respect for individual differences among students.

This event brought light to the SLB Donoharjo community and illuminated the importance of kindness, inclusivity, and shared humanity.

Join us in celebrating the transformative impact of Montessori education! Follow @jogjakartamontessori. on Instagram to revisit and be inspired by the unforgettable moments from our school.