Category: Workshops

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.

We went to The Joy of Opera event at the Cockpit theatre this week.

Shea, Lee, Cristina, Emmanuel, David, Rose, Melvin, Richard, Philip, Stacie, Ellie, Mariia, Connie, Red and Michelle joined us to make dolls.

Most of the makers started their dolls then they paused to attend other activities at the event and then they came back to complete their work. We made 16 dolls in total – 12 we finished at the Cockpit and 4 of them I finished at home.

‘Spread the love. A lovely opportunity to be still and present.’

‘I enjoyed the collaborative direction the doll making take – we all sat and made our dolls and chatted – a lovely way to spend an hour.’

‘This has been really freeing. I was initially resistant and wanted to do it quickly. I then calmed down and felt invested in creating something new – filled with dreams. I was so pleased to add a heart. I was filled with joy when they all stood up.’

‘It’s a wonderful and healing experience! Very relaxing…’

‘Making the doll today was so therapeutic, not only did I feel helpful and somewhat creative but I also got to meet lots of new and very interesting people. I got to work on my skills with needle and thread and also my people skills. After completing my doll, the meditation we did as a group left me most relaxed I have been in months. This was a lovely experience, thank you Regina.’

‘Relaxing and informative work. I hope my doll has a good impact on the world.’

‘Craft something for someone that has meaning for her work, that has dreams with a heart, it was very interesting and fulfilling. What my experience is I’ll keep it for me. Thank you to have shared with me part of your world.’

‘It was a beautifully mindful thing to do to create a heart person in the middle of my shift at The Cockpit. To concentrate on making a peace/heart doll made me more aware of time passing in my surroundings and also made me aware of how lucky I am to work in a place where this sort of thing happens. I hope the doll goes onto new adventures.’

I am so grateful for all the makers and for the special time we spent together. The dolls were introduced to the leading Cock of the Cockpit, thank you so much Michelle, they got so excited, they can’t stop talking about it! I am super mega grateful for Bill who invited me to the event. It was an absolute joy to be with you all, thank you!

The Joy of Opera

Lauren, Molie and Iona joined us to make dolls yesterday at Barons Court Theatre scratch night. We worked part while we were in the audience and part at the end of the scenes in the pub above. We made 9 dolls in total.

‘The simple things are usually the best.’

‘It’s nice to spend time creating and meditating.’

‘A great creative experience. Would recommend for a friend.’

I am grateful for the makers and for Leo and Sharon for having me again, we had a lovely time together, thank you!

We went to the D&D event ‘How can the Fringe add the greatest value to the UK creative sector?’ in Edinburgh.

Elspeth and Kathryn joined to make dolls. Varshini came over to be with us. We had inspiring conversations about the right and left side of the brain, we agreed that simple pleasures are the best. We made 5 dolls in total.

‘Feeling grateful for my community. Shared dreams and exploration. A gentle way of being. Changing things and holding space gently. I’m feeling calm, settled.’

‘Thank you again, Regina, for the chance to sit quietly ad make a doll with dreams and a heart. I had a lovely time!’

I am grateful for making dolls once again in my beloved event D&D. I felt quite moved as the last time I was in Edinburgh was 25 years ago with a show I directed and we had a fantastic time.

Thank you so much for the makers, for Elspeth who donated her pillow full of dreams and for Varshini who once more made a brilliant introduction, thank you!