Inspiring Story from Inspiration House Cirebon: Mobilizing Communities with a Touch of Peace

In Cirebon, a community named "Inspiration House" has stood strong since 2015. Founded by Kak Cici Situmorang, a Christian, this community initially focused on education and tolerance for children before expanding its reach to women's empowerment. With a simple yet burning spirit, Inspiration House runs various programs that touch hearts and minds.

Before deeper interaction with PeaceGeneration Indonesia (PeaceGen) through the "Breaking Down the Walls" (BDW) program, Inspiration House was already active with 32 annual programs running on modest resources. They introduced values of tolerance in unique ways, even reading PeaceGen's fairy tales since 2020. Programs like "Little Ones Get to Know Gus Dur," "Little Ones as Pancasila Spokespersons" (a program that invites children to visit houses of worship), and "Little Ones Get to Know Buya Syafi'i Ma'arif" are testaments to their commitment to instilling noble values from an early age.

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However, participation in the BDW program brought fresh air and new perspectives to Inspiration House. Kak Cici shared how this program unexpectedly led them to be one of 6 selected organizations out of 20 applicants, bringing an extraordinary impact.

"From not expecting anything, just wanting to do it, to finally being selected... that feels truly extraordinary," she said.

One significant change felt was the spirit of mutual cooperation and team initiative. After intensive training from PeaceGen, the Inspiration House team no longer waited for instructions but actively sought solutions and opportunities. When facing obstacles in project implementation at schools, they didn't give up. "We didn't want to just wait and say 'oh well, because of this, because of us'... instead, it was more like, 'what else should we try?'" Kak Cici recalled. As a result, every team member actively moved, utilizing personal connections to ensure the project ran smoothly.

More than just running projects, the BDW program instilled a deeper understanding of the importance of tangible action. Kak Cici emphasized to her team that the trust and funding given were a golden opportunity to be better known through their work, not just rhetoric. This triggered a positive mentality shift, where the team became prouder of their efforts when they received appreciation from others, including from PeaceGen itself.

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The impact of the BDW program was also felt in project management. Although Kak Cici admitted her team could sometimes be "fussy," their desire to give their best, coupled with the support and guidance from PeaceGen—including ease of communication and finding solutions—helped immensely. Even the limited time of team members, most of whom already work, did not hinder their spirit to complete their responsibilities well.

Moving forward, Inspiration House has a clear vision to continue spreading the values of peace. They plan to continue socializing the 12 Basic Peace Values (NDP) and have even established communication with houses of worship and have initiatives for student programs. The interest from various parties, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs and offers of cooperation with NGOs collaborating with UNDP, proves that the seeds of peace planted by Inspiration House are beginning to bear fruit.

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For Kak Cici, involvement with PeaceGen is not just a project collaboration, but also a journey that has opened her eyes and heart. She is grateful for the support and opportunities provided, which further motivate Inspiration House to continue moving and making a positive impact on the community of Cirebon and beyond. The story of Inspiration House's change after BDW #Friendship4Peace is a reflection that sincere spirit and good collaboration can bring significant change, starting from simple things and rooted in humanitarian values.