Small Hands, Big Hearts

What Can Three-Year-Olds Teach Us About Kindness?

Who says giving is only for adults? At SUKU Preschool Permata Hijau, children as young as three to five years old are showing that compassion can take root at an early age.

With bright smiles, they proudly welcomed visitors and introduced the products they had helped create for the event. That day, they learned that generosity is not measured by how much we have, but by our willingness to care for others.

On June 12–13, 2026, Happy Hearts Indonesia (HHI) had the privilege of witnessing this spirit firsthand at Kindness Market, SUKU Preschool’s annual event that brings together children, teachers, and parents to celebrate giving, empathy, and community.

Learning to Share Through Real-Life Experiences

Before Kindness Market began, children were introduced to the story of Rangga, a young boy who did not have access to a proper learning environment. Through his story, they discovered that their small acts of kindness could help children like Rangga learn in a safe and welcoming school. Soon, some proudly told visitors, “This is for Rangga.”

To adults, it may have looked like a simple marketplace. But for the children, every smile, greeting, and conversation became an opportunity to learn about generosity, teamwork, and caring for others.

The spirit of generosity extended beyond the children themselves. While teachers guided and encouraged them throughout the event, parents generously donated pre-loved items for the garage sale. Every purchase helped raise funds to support the construction of safe and inspiring learning spaces for children across Indonesia.

Ms. Melda, a teacher at SUKU Preschool, believes Kindness Market is much more than an annual school event. It gives children the opportunity to experience the values they learn in the classroom.

“This year’s Kindness Market carried the theme ‘From Community to Community.’ We wanted the children to experience what it feels like to create something, share it with others, and realize that even small acts can make a meaningful difference. Parents also take part, allowing children to see that giving is something we do together as a community,” Ms. Melda shared.

Throughout the event, the spirit of From Community to Community truly came to life. Children, teachers, and parents supported one another, showing that generosity becomes even more meaningful when it is shared.

At SUKU Preschool, empathy is an essential part of every child’s learning journey.

“Reading and writing are important, but children also need to learn empathy. We believe compassion should be nurtured from an early age. Through simple acts like sharing toys or helping a friend, they learn to notice and care for the people around them,” Ms. Melda explained

Through Kindness Market, empathy wasn’t just something children learned about—it was something they experienced firsthand. They discovered that even the smallest act of kindness could make a meaningful difference in another child’s life.

Those small acts reached far beyond the market itself. Every purchase, every conversation, and every act of generosity brought Happy Hearts Indonesia one step closer to creating safe and inspiring learning spaces where more children can learn, grow, and dream.

More Than a Classroom

A school is much more than a place where children learn to read and count. It is where they build confidence, form friendships, discover new interests, and begin to dream about their future. Creating that kind of environment starts with safe classrooms—but it also depends on the dedication of teachers who inspire children every day.

For Ms. Melda, a safe and comfortable classroom is important. But what matters just as much is a teacher’s commitment to helping children learn, no matter the challenges they face.

“Teachers will always find a way to teach, even when facilities are limited. If a proper classroom isn’t available, there are still many things around us that can become learning tools. Nature itself can be a classroom. Even so, having a safe and comfortable learning space remains incredibly important because it helps nurture children’s enthusiasm and motivation to learn every day. In the face of limitations, teachers are challenged to look beyond their circumstances and creatively make the most of what they have,” said Ms. Melda.

Ms. Melda’s words remind us that while dedicated teachers can make the most of any situation, every child deserves a safe and welcoming place to learn. When passionate educators are supported by inspiring learning spaces, children are given the confidence and opportunities they need to thrive.

The SUKU Preschool community reminds us that schools are not only places for learning—they are places where empathy, kindness, and a sense of community are nurtured.

What began with the small hands of children at Kindness Market has grown into something much bigger: helping more children across Indonesia learn in safe, welcoming classrooms where they can grow, dream, and thrive.

Thanks to the generosity of the entire SUKU Preschool community, more children across Indonesia will have the opportunity to learn, dream, and build brighter futures.

Because in the end, it is not the size of an act that creates change, but the sincerity behind it.

And at Kindness Market, that lesson came from the smallest hands—with the biggest hearts.