“Peace does not emerge overnight. It must be nurtured, planted early, and consistently cared for with compassion. In the hands of children, the seeds of tolerance can grow into the roots of a more peaceful Indonesia.”
On Saturday, 14 June 2025, Ramita Paraswati, founder of the Indonesia Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Centre, held an engaging discussion at the Yayasan Literasi Desa Tumbuh (Desa Tumbuh Literacy Foundation ) in Yogyakarta. The session focused on grassroots peacebuilding, early childhood education, and the role of inclusive values in shaping resilient and harmonious communities. In her dialogue with local volunteers and community members, Ramita highlighted the importance of fostering peace narratives that emerge from within local cultures and everyday experiences.
The discussion shed light on the founding story of the Yayasan Literasi Desa Tumbuh , an initiative started by Amsa Nadzifah who was deeply driven by her desire to instill a sense of inclusivity and tolerance in children around her. Inspired by her surroundings, Amsa envisioned a space where children could learn, read, and grow into open-minded individuals equipped to face a diverse world with empathy and understanding.
This foundation operates under the umbrella of the Prasasti Perdamaian Foundation, which was established earlier in Jakarta in response to violent extremism and a series of bombings in Indonesia, particularly in Solo. Prasasti Perdamaian aims to promote peace narratives and counter radical ideologies through education, dialogue, and community-based programs.
Ramita commended Yayasan Literasi Desa Tumbuh ’s efforts, particularly its focus on literacy as a gateway to broaden children’s horizons and help them embrace differences. One of the most impactful initiatives shared during the discussion was the foundation’s program inviting a speaker with disabilities to interact with the children. At first, many of the children were hesitant and even fearful. However, through gentle encouragement and guided communication, the barriers began to dissolve. The children eventually felt joy and comfort engaging with the speaker, which became a powerful lesson in empathy and inclusion.
Beyond social inclusion, Yayasan Literasi Desa Tumbuh also encourages environmental awareness by involving children in planting activities. Each child is given a plant to care for, fostering responsibility, patience, and a connection with nature. These small but meaningful practices are designed to nurture values of peace and care for both people and the planet.
Ramita concluded the discussion by emphasizing the importance of community-rooted initiatives like Yayasan Literasi Desa Tumbuh as essential building blocks for sustainable peace. By embedding inclusive values in education from an early age, we are not only cultivating intelligence but also emotional and social maturity. The work of Yayasan Literasi Desa Tumbuh exemplifies the local implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda led by women, centered on children, and driven by compassion and community.