A Reflection by Hilarius Panji Setiawan of four years journey as a volunteer at KBR (Kelompok Belajar Realino)

I’ve always had a habit of quoting famous figures to start my stories, believing that “meaningful” things had to come from someone important or somewhere far away. I’m now realizing that the most beautiful things are often the ones closest to home.

For me, that beauty is found in the children at the Realino Study Group (KBR) in Jombor, Yogyakarta. They are just a quick seven-minute motorbike ride away, but they have brought a depth to my life that I didn’t see coming.

Four years ago, I joined as a volunteer just to fulfill a university requirement. Back then, it was just “work”: show up, teach, and go home. But the more time I spent there, the more I realized this wasn’t just a social project—it was a journey that was slowly changing who I am.

I went in thinking I was there to teach, but the roles quickly reversed: I was the one learning. I realized that mentoring isn’t just about delivering a lesson plan. Honestly, they don’t always remember the theories or the material I explain. What they remember is that I knew their names, that I sat beside them, listened to their stories, and truly paid attention. I’ve come to understand that presence matters so much more than a lecture.

Sometimes, they just want to be heard. Other times, they just need to be told they’re capable. I saw firsthand how profound trust can be; when a child feels valued, they find the courage to keep trying. I learned that education is more than a formal right—it is a way to restore dignity. When a child feels cared for, they don’t just grow in knowledge; they grow in character. Now, my trips to Jombor aren’t obligations or college credits. They are encounters—moments that have gradually made me a more whole person.

I am so grateful to have played a small part in their journey. But if I’m being honest, I didn’t shape them—they shaped me. They were my ‘little teachers,’ showing me that beauty is everywhere. It just takes a heart to see what the eye might miss.

I don’t feel the need to hunt for famous quotes to end my stories anymore. True beauty is real, it’s alive, and it’s right here. It is the sound of laughter every Saturday in Jombor—just three kilometers away from home.