Surabaya, the city of heroes, continues to uphold its legacy with various programs from the government, corporations, and social institutions to develop the skills and resources of Surabaya’s youth, elderly, and differently-abled individuals. On 20 February, at Rumah Anak Prestasi – Dinas Sosial Surabaya, Rangga’s mother expressed her joy and hope for the initiatives by Midtown Hotels Indonesia. Rangga, a child with mild intellectual disability, has found a beacon of hope through these programs.
Rangga’s mother highlighted her joy and hope, thanking Midtown Hotels Indonesia for organizing activities that provide entertainment and emotional support to differently-abled children. One such activity involved a DIY (Do It Yourself) workshop where old hotel linens were creatively decorated using the Shibori dyeing technique.
The event saw participation from Donny Manuarva, Corporate General Manager of Midtown Hotels Indonesia, along with his team. Donny emphasized the importance of such initiatives, expressing the need to nurture and sustain them. He highlighted his commitment to continue innovating and supporting social empowerment activities for differently-abled individuals.
Aligned with this commitment, Midtown Hotels Indonesia has lined up a series of programs throughout 2025. Employees from Midtown Hotel Surabaya, Midtown Residence Surabaya, Crown Prince Hotel Surabaya, and Verwood Hotel & Serviced Residence Surabaya actively participated in the Shibori workshop, guided by mentor Mr. Leo. The workshop also saw enthusiastic participation from differently-abled children like Emma, Belva, Firman, Wanda, Nazhwa, Nayra, Rangga, Arif, James, and Hendro, who diligently worked on their fabric pieces.
The workshop involved folding and tying the fabric with rubber bands and raffia strings, then dipping them into dye to create beautiful patterns. The results were extraordinary – plain white fabric transformed into stunning, colorful pieces. The children’s joy and sense of accomplishment were evident, thanks to the guidance and affection from the mentors.
The event fostered an inclusive atmosphere, with hotel staff and differently-abled children interacting openly and joyfully. Mrs. Eva, Head of UPTD, and Mr. Imam Mahmudi, Head of the Department, expressed their appreciation for the support and collaborative efforts in empowering differently-abled children to showcase their talents and build confidence.
Theo, Public Relations at Crown Prince Hotel Surabaya, shared a heartfelt reflection: “I learned to open up, try new ways of communication, and realized I could do it. Like chatting with Wanda, who is deaf, and Evi, who has an intellectual disability. Now, I’m not afraid to start conversations with differently-abled children or friends.”
The morning’s activity reaffirmed Midtown Hotels Indonesia’s commitment to fostering a supportive ecosystem between the company and the local community through the Midtown CONNECT program. It also highlighted the importance of recycling and repurposing materials through the M-GREEN initiative.
