Unity in Diversity: Collected Stories, began as a small community engagement project between ten Fulbright English Teaching Assistants living and working in Indonesia in 2014-2015. Taking inspiration from Indonesia’s national motto, “Bhinneka tunggal ika”, which translates to “unity in diversity” and from the “Humans of New York” social media photography project that uses interviews and photographs to highlight the diversity of individuals living in New York City, the project has morphed into a community activity that expresses the diversity of Indonesian ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, ideologies, and dreams across the archipelago.   

What started as a project amongst high schools in Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Atambua, has now spread to more than ten cities in Indonesia. By having students interview their school staff, community members, and one another in English, our students were able to simultaneously increase their English language skills and interpersonal communication skills. Through the use of photography, video, and extra English classes, more than 100 students have been able to participate in this project and amplify the voices of Indonesian men, women, and children around the country.   

"Education is a very important use of time. Without education, I will not succeed and my parents won't be fully proud of me."

Hikma, SMA Negeri 7 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"We often play table tennis together, play futsol together, and usually we build the brotherhood by study together. We can adapt with other people but both of us is best friends."  

David Tobing (left), and Brein Sipayung (right), SMAN 2 Balige, North Sumatra

"I’m just an English teacher who teaches in an Indonesian school. I am just recently getting my post-graduate degree, and I’m planning on getting another degree. I think people in Indonesia are obsessive with getting their degrees."

Ibu Carolina Amri, SMAN 4 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"I want to go to Saudi Arabia because I want to go on the pilgrimage for the Hajj. Then I can meet the five pillars of Islam."

Shahadah: Profess the Muslim faith

Salat: Pray five times daily

Zakat: Pay alms for poor and needy

Sawm: Fast month of Ramadan

Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

Risma, SMA Negeri 7 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

Ilham: "I like this. In scout, there is spiritual, long run, camping, cooking and health."

Bryan: "We play group games and smart games. Prepare for the future better. We play together."

Bryan (left), and Ilham (right), SMA Negeri 1 Bringin, Salatiga, Central Java

“The world is very beautiful. But it can be true if you look at the world with your beautiful heart. And also it cannot be true. If you look, the world is very bad for yourself. It’s up to you how to look at your world.”

Istigomah Yuliani, SMK Negeri Jawa Tengah, Semarang, Central Java

"Education gives us a lot of knowledge about various things and everything related to the world. Education provides knowledge for a brilliant career and to build on the progress of the nation in the future."

Satya Astuti Samad, MAN 1 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

“I remembered my big dream to make my family proud of me and I always remembered about my mother about the advice that I should be strong in school.”



Thowaf Adrarga,  SMK Negeri Jawa Tengah, Semarang, Central Java  

"My favorite place to go is the mangrove because it is a place for driving and a place for selfie."

Wawan, SMA Negeri 7 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"Mister, you live in Los Angeles, right? Someday I want to go to Hollywood to see Johnny Depp because I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Rifqi Nur Fauzi, MAN 1 Semarang, Central Java  

"I take my first love in high school. I feel that I see one thousand colors in my life. I always jealous to my special friend if my friends close up with him."

Emyranda Samosir, SMAN 2 Balige, North Sumatra

"I think education can change

someone’s life. It can change

the dark into the light."

Pak Ferdinand N. Boonde, SMAN 4 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"What makes me happy? When I find out the wifi password :)"

Febi Sutantri Sutarno, MAN 1 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"With education, we are able to adapt and learn a science. So we can understand each function of the world, something we will use in life."

Anca, SMA Negeri 7 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"I would tell teenagers in America not to be racist and appreciate the differences in their culture. I want people to know that I care for humanity. I want people to know that I want to make friends with anyone despite the differences in their body or their skin color."

La Ode Muhammad Sakaum Muhajir, SMAN 4 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"Education is important because you can be everything you want. Education is knowledge and leadership. I believe my education can help me change the world."

Elanda Yovita, MAN 1 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

"What's my favorite part of the day? I like my time to relax on Sunday."

Yati and Andi Nuraeni, SMAN 4 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

“I stay motivated because I think everything in life has meaning and life in the world is not forever.”  

Shoulahudin, SMK Negeri Jawa Tengah, Semarang, Central Java

"Semarang has delicious food. Semarang has great natural attractions. And also, Semarang has the prettiest and most beautiful girl."

Sulchan Abdi Mahesya, MAN 1 Semarang, Central Java

"[I would go to] South Korea. Because I wish to see the Korean artists live in concert."

Ilyas, SMA Negeri 7 Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi  

"Everyone have doing some failure. I am doing failure every day--almost every day, and I want to make it to be a lesson for me, to my future. I hope that failure can make me good man in the future."

Yudika Pangaribuan, SMAN 2 Balige, North Sumatra

"Education is obviously one of the best approaches to implementing the mental revolution."

Ulfa Aulia, MAN 1 Semarang, Central Java

"The best friend is who always there when someone’s in the worst mood. The best friend always give him or her the best solution. Friends is just friends. When we need him or her, he’s not there. But best friends is always there with us."

Putra Pasaribu, SMAN 2 Balige, North Sumatra

“I like dancing because it’s traditional dance in Indonesia. I like dancing with friends.”

Nurul Rizqi Amalia, SMA Negeri 1 Bringin, Salatiga, Central Java

“In my first holiday, I have done trekking and the mountains and I meet and greet with my family, my teachers, my friends, and my special person for me.”

Bagas Indrayatna, SMK Negeri Jawa Tengah, Semarang, Central Java

“My favorite [class] is English. I love that because I want to learn more about international language, and I have plan to study English literature when I go university later.”

Ande N. M., MAN 1 Gorontalo, North Sulawesi

"I want to have a free life. I mean I do not want to be working in an office all the time. I want to travel and do something like journalism. I want to do so many things."

Maziya, MAN 2 Kudus, Central Java

“When I feel stressed I like to go to alun-alun to walk around and relax my mind. It makes me feel fresh again.”

Singgih, SMKN 1, Magelang, Central Java

“Watching a lot of problems like human rights problems or equal problems in Indonesia, I kind of want to change that. That’s why I want to join the international relations. Like I want to work in the United Nations.”

Hanah, MAN 2 Model Makassar, South Sulawesi

“I’m really interested in international relations; I want to be a diplomat when I’m older. I love discussing international politics. I’m not an American citizen: If a fifteen year old Indonesian girl who is living in Asia can understand how much of a horrible president Trump is, how can people, adults living in America not realize, I mean come on!”

Flo, SMA Kristen Eben Haezar, Manado, North Sulawesi

“My name is Dinar. In my free time, I like traveling if I have money. Sometimes I like go shopping. Yeah, watching film too. Two of my children are in Makassar but one of my sons has lived in Japan for a few years. When it's time eat, he send me picture and I miss him so much.”

Dinar, SMKN 8 , Makassar, South Sulawesi

“My dream is to become a successful person and make my parents proud of me.”

Putri R. T., MAN 1 Gorontalo, North Sulawesi

"Life is like flowing water, and I hope to face the future with bravery wherever I go."

Eric, MAN 2 Kudus, Central Java

“I feel more at peace when I draw. My drawings show my emotions.”

Hoki, SMKN 1, Magelang, Central Java

“What makes me happy? Foods of course. Without foods, I think the world is so dull.”

Hujar, MAN 2 Model Makassar, South Sulawesi

“I always love Valentines Day because every year I spend it with my mom - she gives me chocolate or flowers so even if I don’t have a boyfriend I get to spend it with someone special.”  

Amelia, SMA Kristen Eben Haezar, Manado, North Sulawesi

“After studying at Harvard University for two months this Fall, I’ve been involved with the Floating Library in my home suburb Pangkep close to the stone mountains of Laeng Laeng/Maros. The project engages youth literacy on islands. Many of these youth live on islands with only primary schools, so that’s the farthest many go. The project is a part of YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative), which is supported by the U.S.”

Mato, Makassar, South Sulawesi

“My dream is to become a stewardess because I wanted to fly around the globe, and it is my [dream] since childhood.”

Asnita Y. A., MAN 1 Gorontalo, North Sulawesi

"Here in boarding we can always be with our friends. We sleep together, eat together, and study together. Can you imagine how fun life is living with your friends?!"

Nila, MAN 2 Kudus, Central Java

“My favorite players in the NBA are Steph Curry and Lebron James. Steph because he makes lots of 3’s and is very accurate. Lebron because he is determined and makes lots of key plays for Cleveland.”

Malvin, SMKN 1, Magelang, Central Java

“If you want a wonderful life, it’s not about finding yourself. It’s good to be inspired and look up to people, but you need to find out what makes you happy. Don’t do what over people do because everyone else is doing it. If you want to go, don’t be scared to because if that’s what makes you happy, it doesn’t matter.”

Chairatul Djannah, MAN 2 Model Makassar, South Sulawesi

“When I grow up I want to own my own restaurant because I love to cook and I want people to taste the food that I create with all of my heart. I want to hear my critics say something like ‘Ooh la la, this food is spicylicious!’”

Erica, SMA Kristen Eben Haezar, Manado, North Sulawesi

"My name is Supri Adik. I’m 24. I work at the hotel at SMK8 school and am from Isla Lombok. In the future, I would like to have a business selling cars. I play badminton at school usually every Sunday at 8 in the morning."

Adki, Makassar, South Sulawesi

“I like the beaches and the culture [of Gorontalo], like Tumbilotohe, it’s about the end of Ramadan.”

Abdul H., MAN 1 Gorontalo, North Sulawesi (right)

“My favorite food is fried rice because it’s spicy.”

Prackaz D. A., MAN 1 Gorontalo, North Sulawesi (center)

"I hope to have a better future than my parents. Not that my parent's life isn't good. I just want to be somebody that my family can be proud of. I want to help others and be useful for my society."

Ocha, MAN 2 Kudus, Central Java

“Colonization took away education and freedom. Revolution gave Indonesian’s an opportunity to grow. Even though there are still problems I think we can solve them.”

Roy, SMKN 1, Magelang, Central Java

“I call this my derp face.”

Fida, MAN 2 Model Makassar,

South Sulawesi

“I love helping people. I genuinely just want to help people. Kindness is not given just because you want to seek attention; it can come genuinely from your feelings, genuinely from your heart.”

Kezia, SMA Kristen Eben Haezar, Manado, North Sulawesi