One Laptop for All         

Education is constantly evolving, driven by rapid technological advancements that are reshaping the learning experience. In this era of progress, there are only two choices: adapt and thrive or risk being left behind. Today, technology plays a central role in education, from teaching methods to examinations, with computer-based systems becoming the norm. However, Indonesia faces a significant technology gap, particularly in educational facilities. Many schools struggle to provide computers for their students, not every pupil has access to one, and communication networks remain unevenly distributed across the country. This disparity is evident in Kei Besar Selatan, where I live and teach, highlighting the pressing need for more equitable access to technological resources in education.

That's an important point—technology is no longer just a tool in education; it's becoming a necessary skill in itself. Students must learn to operate computers not only for their studies but also to succeed in computer-based exams. Yet, the irony is clear—not every student has access to a computer, creating a gap in readiness.

Determined not to let the lack of resources hinder learning, I took the initiative to gather my students at my home and set aside time for them to learn computers—despite having only one available. Was this a reason to stop? Absolutely not! After school, I guided them through computer lessons, fostering a commitment to ‘One Laptop for All.’ We formed study groups of two to three students, meeting two to three times a week, each taking turns at the keyboard. They practiced operating a computer and typing their daily experiences, showing incredible enthusiasm despite the challenges. Their persistence paid off—at last, they were able to confidently use a computer for the Computer-Based National Assessment.

Even with this small initiative, I have seen remarkable growth in my students—they are becoming more technologically literate, adapting to the digital world with confidence. Limited learning facilities are not an obstacle to progress, but rather an opportunity to innovate. Hopefully, this experience will inspire education advocates to support and expand access to essential learning resources, ensuring that no student is left behind in the technological era. ***

By Stube HEMAT.          

Driven by a dream to develop the Sumba region, Kristiani Pedi, known as Ina, understood that achieving it wouldn't be easy—but it was possible. Raised in a humble family with five brothers and three sisters, she never burdened her widowed mother. Balancing work and study became her norm. Since high school, she competed to win prizes that helped fund her education. After school, she sold fish around town. Ina firmly believed that anything could be changed in this world with determination, despite the obstacles she faced.

Ina's journey has been shaped by relentless hard work—founding the Ana Tana community, collaborating with the Stube HEMAT Institute, earning a college scholarship, securing support from various stakeholders, gaining experience in Uluwatu-Bali, and advancing her career in the Front Office field in the Maldives. Every step is part of the ongoing process toward fulfilling her dream.

Kartini's struggle for the advancement of Indonesian women was not in vain. More and more women are boldly taking leaps toward a better future—just like Kristiani Pedi. Her life motto reflects her journey: 'Dare to dream, believe in making it happen, trust the process, appreciate those who support you, and never forget that without God, you are nothing.

To all modern Kartinis, keep striving, embrace the journey, and pursue your dreams with unwavering determination! ***

A hot topic that has become a global discussion on the imposition of trade tariffs imposed by Donald Trump became the subject of an online discussion hosted by Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta via zoom meeting (10/04/2025). How does the unilateral policy imposed by the USA affect international trade and the global economy, especially Indonesia? How do young people respond to it? The resource person for this discussion was Dr. Murti Lestari, M.Si, observer, researcher, economics teacher, along with the moderator of the discussion Yohanes Dian Alpasa, S.Si., a multiplier of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu, an observer of youth education, who currently works at the Ministry of Religion (Ministry of Religion) Bengkulu, Sumatra.

The resource person began the discussion with the question, why did Trump's policies provoke global frustation? This highlighted the preference of nations for free trade, a concept championed by the USA since 1964 to foster economic globalization. Historically, many countries adopted an autarky system—a self-sufficient economic model with minimal or no international trade. This approach aimed to ensure nations could meet their own needs without relying on imports, as exemplified by North Korea's past practices.

Trade activities were initially championed by the victorious nations of World War II, particularly the United States and its allies. International trade played a pivotal role in the rapid economic recovery of war-torn countries like Germany and Japan. It was later extended to developing nations to support their growth. Furthermore, because it is necessary to have rules and mechanisms to ensure fair, efficient, and mutually beneficial trade, international trade institutions such as GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) were established in 1947 in Geneva, which later in 1995 changed to the WTO (World Trade Organization). In its development, other trade organizations such as AFTA, NAFTA, APEC, OECD, BRICS, and so on emerged. Without these trade governing institutions, the global market would be chaotic and full of high volatility, as it is now with Trump's unilateral policy of raising trade tariffs.

The discussion was lively, with participants raising various questions, including the reasons behind Trump's unilateral tariff policy, the concept of non-tariff barriers, strategies during a tariff war, and ways Indonesia can improve its trade practices. Other topics included why Indonesia is perceived as unfair in international trade by the United States, approaches to engaging foreign investors, and the purpose of TKDN (Domestic Content Level). A key takeaway from the resource persons was the importance of preparing competitive Indonesian human resources to seize job opportunities both domestically and internationally. China was highlighted as a prime example of a country excelling in international trade, both in goods and services.

The ongoing trade war underscores the need for Indonesia, especially its young generation, to enhance its competitiveness—both as a nation and through skilled human resources. Adapting to rapidly changing global dynamics requires resilience, innovation, and the ability to compete effectively. Wishing you success in your journey of self-improvement! ***

Public Speaking Training for Youth

Collaboration between Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta and the Youth Commission of GKJ Panggang, Gunungkidul.

"How can I overcome my nervousness?"

"I lose confidence when many people are watching me."

"I blank out when I’m in front of an audience."

These heartfelt confessions emerged during a Public Speaking training session at GKJ Panggang, highlighting the challenges faced by youth when speaking in front of a forum. It's undeniable—standing before an audience can be intimidating, and many people shy away from it entirely. Yet, the ability to speak confidently in public is not beyond reach. With a willingness to learn and consistent practice, anyone, including youth, can develop this valuable skill.

The Youth Commission of GKJ Panggang, Gunungkidul, partnered with Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta to organize a

The Youth Commission of GKJ Panggang, Gunungkidul, partnered with Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta to organize a Public Speaking Training for youth. This event, held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at GKJ Panggang Church, carried the theme "Come on, Youth, Let’s Speak!" The training aimed to empower teenagers to confidently express themselves, offering simple yet effective tips for public speaking. Participants engaged in activities such as presentation practice, event hosting, promotion techniques, and more, fostering their communication skills in a supportive environment.

I was filled with enthusiasm as I joined the youth of GKJ Panggang for their training session, which began with the engaging role-play activity, "If I Were...". In this exercise, participants assumed the role of an agent or actor promoting a specific topic, such as self-promotion, the benefits of the youth commission, or the potential of Gunungkidul regency. Each participant showcased their performance, focusing on critical aspects like self-confidence, verbal creativity, pronunciation, body language, and expression, making this an excellent platform for honing their public speaking skills.

The Youth Commission of GKJ Panggang, Gunungkidul, partnered with Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta to organize a Public Speaking Training for youth. This event, held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at GKJ Panggang Church, carried the theme "Come on, Youth, Let’s Speak!" The training aimed to empower teenagers to confidently express themselves, offering simple yet effective tips for public speaking. Participants engaged in activities such as presentation practice, event hosting, promotion techniques, and more, fostering their communication skills in a supportive environment.

During the session, participants gained valuable insights to enhance their public speaking abilities. First, they learned to overcome nervousness by thoroughly understanding the event’s context, including the type of event, the audience, as well as the time and venue. Second, they discovered strategies to prevent blanking out or losing focus, such as mastering their material, using effective presentation media and tools, and preparing for unforeseen circumstances like power outages or equipment malfunctions by having backup materials in multiple formats—PowerPoint, PDF, printed documents, cue cards, or email storage. Lastly, participants explored ways to build self-confidence by selecting appropriate attire, crafting engaging opening remarks, and practicing their performance beforehand, including using audio-visual recordings to identify areas for improvement.

From this moment forward, the youth of GKJ Panggang are determined to apply their newfound experiences in both church service activities and their school environments. Come on, youth, let’s speak up! Channel your skills into meaningful service and make a difference! *

Book review and public speaking with the Youth Commission of GKJ Wonosari

Public speaking comes naturally to some but poses a significant challenge for others. However, it is a skill that can be trained and developed through learning the fundamentals, methods, and techniques of effective communication. For young people actively involved in church services, social organizations, or presentations, mastering public speaking is essential.

Public speaking can be learned through various resources, including printed books and e-books that offer methods and tips for skill development. Among these is Let's Speak: Simple Tips for Public Speaking, written by Ninda Nindiani, a professional event host. To meet the growing interest in this skill, Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta organized a book review and public speaking discussion titled  I Exist,  I Speak Out, in partnership with the Youth Commission of the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) Wonosari, Gunungkidul Regency (March 15, 2025). The event was attended by twenty youths, who participated in both the book review and a public speaking workshop led by Trustha Rembaka, S.Th.

During the book review, Trustha highlighted the contents of the first edition published by ANDI Yogyakarta in 2024, spanning 182 pages plus a 10-page introduction. Chapters 1–10 cover essential topics such as understanding public speaking, self-preparation, managing nervousness, vocal exercises, gestures, visual aids, media usage, and effective openings and closings, including interactive games to energize events. Chapters 11–17 explore various roles like moderators, masters of ceremonies, and ice breakers, as well as event formats such as seminars, vlogs, television presenting, radio, and podcasts. It also includes insights into supporting equipment like microphones.

The book offers several intriguing features, starting with its white background cover, colorful fonts, and eye-catching illustrations. It provides practical and realistic public speaking tips based on the author’s personal experiences, presented through engaging writing that incorporates diverse fonts, vibrant color combinations, illustrations, user avatars, and testimonials. Fully grasping the book requires time, as each section needs to be thoroughly understood and practiced. However, there is a mismatch between the table of contents and the corresponding pages. Like other publications on the topic, this book faces competition from various media covering similar themes.

The next stage involved participants practicing public speaking within a set duration. They learned techniques to overcome nervousness, establish connection through eye contact, and minimize distracting words, gestures, or movements. Many participants admitted that speaking in front of an audience was challenging, citing issues such as lack of confidence, forgetting prepared material due to nervousness, and uncertainty about proper body positioning. Some expressed hope for further training sessions to continue honing their skills.

Youth, it’s time to break through self-doubt and build confidence! Public speaking is an achievable skill, thanks to the wealth of learning resources available to you. Remember the powerful message: I Exist, I Speak Out! Seize the opportunity to become a public speaker and make a meaningful impact on those around you. *

Yuel Yoga Dwianto, born on June 14, 1993, in Lampung, Sumatra, is the second-born child of a farming family. His parents worked hard growing rice, rubber, and cassava. Yuel completed his education in Lampung before moving to Yogyakarta to pursue his dream of becoming a pastor at the Christian College (STAK) MARTURIA in Nologaten, Sleman. After earning his undergraduate degree, Yuel was invited to serve in a church in Bengkulu. However, due to his parents' disapproval, he chose to continue his master's studies in Yogyakarta instead. During his academic journey, Yuel actively participated in various campus organizations, including the Stube HEMAT institution, which helped him develop critical thinking and self-improvement skills.

Yuel clearly remembers leaving Yogyakarta on December 7, 2022, with a determination to serve as a pastor and a willingness to go wherever God's will led him. He began his journey at GKSBS Baradatu, Way Kanan, Lampung, on December 10, 2022, with a 4-month Wiyata Bakti, living with the congregation. In March 2023, he passed the prospective pastor test organized by the Synod and started a 3-month orientation period at the same place. After being evaluated and found eligible, Yuel entered the application stage, which involved adjusting to GKSBS teachings, church order, liturgy, and sermons under the guidance of four pastors. He successfully graduated and moved on to the mentoring stage, focusing on practical aspects such as building spirituality, testimony, service, church management, and leadership. On December 12, 2024, he passed the preliminary exam and was declared eligible for ordination on February 13, 2025. This extensive process has thoroughly prepared Yuel to serve God's congregation as a pastor.

Yuel clearly remembers leaving Yogyakarta on December 7, 2022, with a determination to serve as a pastor and a willingness to go wherever God's will led him. He began his journey at GKSBS Baradatu, Way Kanan, Lampung, on December 10, 2022, with a 4-month Wiyata Bakti, living with the congregation. In March 2023, he passed the prospective pastor test organized by the Synod and started a 3-month orientation period at the same place. After being evaluated and found eligible, Yuel entered the application stage, which involved adjusting to GKSBS teachings, church order, liturgy, and sermons under the guidance of four pastors. He successfully graduated and moved on to the mentoring stage, focusing on practical aspects such as building spirituality, testimony, service, church management, and leadership. On December 12, 2024, he passed the preliminary exam and was declared eligible for ordination on February 13, 2025. This extensive process has thoroughly prepared Yuel to serve God's congregation as a pastor.

Building a thriving congregation is the heartfelt desire of every pastor. Just as God is the master designer of a building, He has meticulously crafted a plan, but it’s up to the workers to execute His vision. The GKSBS strategic plan should serve as a blueprint for nurturing the congregation in alignment with God's will. Blessings to Pastor Yuel Yoga Dwianto, S.Th., M.Pd. May you remain a faithful co-worker of God. ***

Have you ever heard the word ‘retreat’ or attended a retreat event? In Christian understanding, a retreat is a familiar concept, often involving withdrawal or taking a step back. It means taking time for solitude or isolation to reflect on life and nurture spiritual faith in God.

In Christian spirituality, Jesus exemplified a form of retreat by withdrawing from the crowd to pray, both at dawn and night. Several references highlight this practice:

• "And when he had sent the crowd away, Jesus went up on a mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone" (Matthew 14:23).
• "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up and went out. He went to a solitary place and prayed there" (Mark 1:35).
• "But He withdrew to solitary places and prayed" (Luke 5:16).

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I am delighted to accompany the Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) of SMA N 1 Wonosari, Gunungkidul, in a retreat on January 25-26, 2025. This retreat is an opportunity to rebuild spiritual life, which forms a solid foundation for personal development, even since youth. The event focuses on reflecting on faith, especially obedience. Obedience means acting according to instructions, rules, or laws. One early example of obedience in the Bible is Noah (Genesis 6).

Noah's exemplary obedience teaches us valuable lessons:

1.   Command: God commanded Noah to build a large ark and gather all the animals in pairs in anticipation of a great flood.

2.  Strong Faith: Despite never having seen such an event, Noah trusted God's command and began building the ark without hesitation.

3.  Difficult Task: Constructing the ark as specified required tremendous effort, sincerity, precision, dedication, and could take several years.

4.   Facing Sceptics: Noah endured negative voices, scepticism, and ridicule from those who did not believe in the coming flood but remained steadfast in his obedience.

5.  Results: By faithfully following God's instructions, Noah and his family survived the flood, while others did not.

The relevance of obedience in students' daily lives is evident in how they follow government laws, spiritual (religious) guidelines, family expectations, organizational or school regulations, and societal norms. Noah's example teaches us that true faith is demonstrated through obedience, even when commands are challenging to comprehend. Obedience becomes the foundation for progress, instilling the belief that following God's commands leads to success.***

As 2025 begins, Indonesia faces several economic challenges shaped by global and national factors. In response, Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta organized a virtual discussion with Dr. Murti Lestari, an economics researcher and lecturer, on January 29, 2025. More than thirty students and activists from various regions, including Alor, North Sumatra, Lampung, Timor, Southeast Maluku, Sumba, Manggarai, Luwuk Banggai, Maldives, Gunungkidul, North Morowali, and Yogyakarta, participated in the discussion.

In her presentation, Dr. Murti Lestari explained that the global economic depression is a significant and prolonged decline in worldwide economic activity. Many countries are experiencing severe drops in production, sales, and investment, triggered by geopolitical conflicts, leadership changes, economic instability in major nations, trade wars, and financial crises. Domestically, this has led to declining trade, reduced corporate activity, increased unemployment, weakened purchasing power, layoffs, rising prices, and declining public welfare.

Despite these challenges, Indonesia remains relatively safe due to its abundant resources. Although management needs improvement, the country has developed biofuels as a supplement to petroleum and benefits from its strategic geographical location with year-round sun exposure. In terms of food, Indonesia has diverse ingredients to meet its needs, provided they are well-managed through efficient agricultural practices, water distribution, technology, and human resources.

During the dialogue, participants raised questions about the Regional Minimum Wage (UMR), the challenges faced by Gen Z in the job market, the role of education in addressing these challenges, and the impact of technological advancements on job opportunities. Dr. Murti Lestari responded by highlighting the government's careful consideration in setting the UMR, noting that not all companies can afford to pay the minimum wage without risking bankruptcy and layoffs. She emphasized that employers value positive character and attitude over high academic grades when hiring Gen Z workers. Educational institutions need to balance imparting knowledge and building character in students. Dr. Lestari also stressed that technological advancements are inevitable and that workers must adapt by improving their skills in using technology-based tools to remain competitive.

In conclusion, despite concerns about a global economic depression, Dr. Murti Lestari emphasized an optimistic outlook for Indonesia. She highlighted the nation's potential for self-sufficiency, stressing the importance of leveraging existing resources. The key to success lies in working with integrity, maintaining discipline, fostering creativity, embracing technology, and persevering. So, how optimistic are you about facing future economic challenges? ***

Playing music offers significant benefits for children's development. It supports brain growth, builds character and self-confidence, introduces new concepts, enhances creativity, trains focus, and boosts emotional intelligence. Understanding one's intelligence helps to refine skills, choose a major, select a suitable job, and assist others in finding their path.

Howard Gardner, a psychology expert, identified nine types of intelligence, including:

1.   Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The ability to analyze situations systematically and argue with reason.

2.   Linguistic Language Intelligence: The ability to process words to write, read, speak, and explain something well.

3.   Visual Spatial Intelligence: The ability to think abstractly, interpret images, design patterns, and describe something.

4.   Kinesthetic Intelligence: Abilities related to physical activity, motoric, physical, and body coordination.

5.   Musical Intelligence: The ability to relate to voice, pitch, rhythm, singing, and mastery of musical instruments.

6.   Interpersonal Intelligence: The ability to interact, understand, and move others.

7.   Intrapersonal Intelligence: The ability to manage oneself, motivate oneself, analyze, and plan well.

8.   Naturalist Intelligence: The ability to interact with nature and the environment, and survive.

9.   Existential Intelligence: Interest and curiosity about life, death, and the meaning of life, including psychological aspects."

At Kebun Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta in Gunungkidul, musical skills are nurtured through activities using the angklung. Trustha guides children in practicing angklung to enhance their musical intelligence, motor coordination, concentration, emotional refinement, social skills, and discipline.

Children here learn that angklung, a traditional bamboo musical instrument, has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity since 2010. Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta and its students showcased the angklung at the International Youth Camp in Wittenberg, Germany, in 2017. Playing the angklung involves more than just theory—it requires hands-on practice. This practice starts with learning the song’s notation, rhythm, and intonation. Next, participants learn how to properly hold and shake the angklung in time with the rhythm. The final step is to synchronize the angklung sounds so that the transitions between notes are smooth and seamless. Although challenging, participants displayed a strong willingness to practice and support each other.

From their angklung practice, the group performed at various events, including the Pepanthan Bendungan GKJ Wonosari New Year celebration, the anniversary and Christmas celebration of SD BOPKRI Wonosari 2, and the Christmas celebration for Christian teachers and employees of educational institutions in the Wonosari district and its surroundings.

This angklung musical breakthrough sparked interest in expanding angklung activities, from children's groups to mixed-age groups collaborating with adults. There may be other parties interested in providing angklung instruments, enabling more participants to join and ensuring the sustainability of angklung traditions. Are you interested in participating? ***

Stube HEMAT Indonesia students performed angklung at International Youth Camp in Wittenberg, Germany (2017)

The year of 2025 will be a challenging one for the global economy due to several major factors that influence global economic pressures, such as political uncertainty affecting global financial markets, geopolitical risks in which armed conflicts continue, and the trade dispute between the US and China. These factors will disrupt the global market and supply chain.

Amidst global economic pressures, people's economic power is one of the movements that’s possibly done. With a concept that emphasizes the importance of active community participation in economic activities that’s beneficial for improving shared prosperity. Credit Union (CU) is one form of economic organization that plays an important role to strengthen the people's economy. One of the pioneering CU at the local level /neighborhood level with 100 members is Usaha Simpan Pinjam 59 (USP'59). Savings and giving loan services are carried out every month at the house of the chairman of USP'59, which is also the secretariat of Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta. This activity has quite good dynamics. Initiated in 2001 by a resident who was a Bank employee, and the administrator of the local neighborhood association, this savings and giving loan activity continues to run even though the management personnel are changeable.

The Chairperson of USP'59 for the 2024-2025 period, Ariani Narwastujati said, "Savings and giving loan activity has been operating for 23 years with an initial capital of 2.5 million rupiah. The initial capital came from 100  area members of RT 59 Nyutran Yogyakarta with principal savings of 25 thousand rupiahs each. After being borrowed and saved, it is now around 344 million rupiah." Ariani believes that this business is one of the economic strengths of the local level where its members actively participate in decision-making and business management. The focus of this business is on savings and loans with a maximum loan of 8 million and an interest of 0.8% per month.

The interesting one is that the profits obtained are distributed back to members not only in the form of remaining business results (SHU) but also death funds and social funds. Death funds provide financial support for local resident/member USP’59 that passing away, while social funds are funds for members’ welfare that can be realized based on the agreement made in the Members’ Annual Meeting (RAT), such as parcels, t-shirts, or joint tours.

As one of the RT 59 activity units, the head of RT 59 becomes the supervisor and advisor of this savings and loan activity. Residents feel  that it helps them to get easy loans with fairly low interest. They can use USP'59 to access capital that can be used for various needs such as business capital, education, or other urgent needs because there is also available loan for a 'sebrakan'/sudden loan facility. Low interest is of course more affordable and profitable for its members.

Stube HEMAT once sent several students who were participating in the Jogja exposure program to see closely the savings and loan activities carried out by USP'59 to inspire the formation of local economic power in local regions. Local economic power are also expected to be able to improve the ability of the community to manage their economic activities so that a prosperous society is achieved. ***