Author: Regina

It was a great adventure for the dolls to sleep outdoors surrounded by wild animals.

They told me the animals jumped off the wall during the night. Some of them were kind, some not so much. The magical cave Anton and Beni built was a shield that protected them. They were also lucky that the tiger and black panther had babies so they didn’t care about anything else.

The first two nights were hard for me. I gradually relaxed when I realised they were safe on their own and making new friends. I’m gradually learning to let them go.

Dreams and a Heart Art Installation at Pesta Boneka International Puppet Festival, Yogyakarta Indonesia.

The festival built for us a beautiful cave made by bambu. It was built by Anton and Beni from Papermoon Puppet Theatre team, the group that created this amazing festival.

Our cave reminded me the traditional Wayang puppet performance I watched in Yogyakarta the night before we started our workshops.

I noticed that both set designs were framed by columns of red colour, it felt so special. The photo doesn’t show but the red above is the same as the lateral columns.

And suddenly we were in a cave in Indonesia!

Unique settings. Stunning nature. Twenty five countries. Amazing people.

There were many performances also many workshops and talks running the whole day for all ages.

I run four workshops in four afternoons and enjoyed some brilliant shows in the evenings.

A huge thank you to Papermoon Puppet Theatre who worked hard to give all of us this amazing experience. We were blessed to be there.

Harmoni Perempuan have been running a series of sessions to empower women in Jakarta Indonesia. Dreams and a Heart had the privilege to run one of the sessions.

Thank you so much for all makers for the delicious time we spend together, brave women who get together every two weeks to share experiences and empower each other. Thank you Lasya for inviting me, Adel for translating the session, and Pudji who made the bridge. I am really really grateful, thank you!

Asri, Greece, April, Nur, Ros, Wanda, Dasi, Karel, their children Raihan, Yunita, Tasya, Ridho and the baby Aisyah came to the session and we made 10 dolls in total. The kids have heart diseases, leukemia, brain tumor and open nerve on the spine. So moving to see them keen to participate in the session.

‘This project reminds us we can’t live alone. We have to work together and bring future and hope for everyone who almost lost them.’

‘When I closed my eyes and took a deep breath I remembered my past. I am thankful to God for what I have today – my family and relatives and friends. I feel happy and secure now.’ 

‘I am happy cause I had a new experience – I made a doll and I meditated by myself. In the past this wasn’t good. Now I can hope my life will be better in the future, thank you.’

‘We can’t stand alone. We live together and share our life with others.’

‘I was happy to attend this activity. I learned to support others, be more patient dealing with hardships as well as helping those in need or weaker. We’re holding hands together.’

‘Being together in this activity filled our hearts with joy despite our sadness related to our children’s medical treatment. This doll making workshop holds a worthwhile philosophy namely the power of togetherness to strengthen each other.’

‘I really liked this activity. It increased skills I’d like to pass on to my future grandchildren. The underlying philosophy is brilliant emphasising the importance of being useful and helpful towards others whilst we live in this world.’

‘I love the friendly teacher. I love the dolls. I pray for Aisyah to get well. I pray for us to get strong. Greetings from Indonesia and thank you!’

‘Thank you ma’am. I was delighted with the workshop. It helped me to recognise the need to support each other. Hopefully we can come together again in the future to recreate this workshop.’

I’m really grateful for the opportunity. Thank you so much for all the mothers and kids who made dolls and for Dr Karel for the invitation. Despite the serious kid’s health conditions we had fun and a lovely time together.

I was recently updated (March 2025) – some of the kids are already at home doing great on their recovery.

Dr Karel, a lovely Indonesian cardiologist who attended our previous workshop, invited me to run a session at Rumah Singgah Lions in Jakarta last week.

It’s a Halfway House that shelters children with heart diseases and cancer. It was very emotional to work with them and their mothers. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

Our first workshop in Indonesia was pure joy with CISV group in Jakarta.

I am so grateful to all amazing doll makers, to my lovely friend Pudji and to the national leader of CISV Indonesia Dini who organised the event with such love and care, a huge thank you for you all.