For a child living with a serious and life-limiting illness, a single day filled with laughter, creativity, and simple fun can transform their entire world.
Supported and hosted by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Rachel House organized a special gathering “Ministry of Finance 2026 Christmas Charity Event Series”. Held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Radius Prawiro Building of the Ministry of Finance in Central Jakarta the event was dedicated to bringing smiles, togetherness, and cherished moments of joy for 15 seriously ill children and their families.
A Shared Moment of Heartfelt Connection
Held as part of the Ministry of Finance’s Christmas Charity Series, the event brought together 15 of Rachel House’s young patients and their families alongside distinguished leadership and officials from across the Ministry.
Rachel House was deeply honored by the presence of senior Ministry of Finance officials, including:
- Mr. Robert Leonard Marbun, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance
- Mr. Emmanuel Agust Hartono, Head of the State Asset Management and Procurement Bureau, Secretariat General
- Ms. Tio Serepina Siahaan, Head of the Legal Bureau, Secretariat General
- Ms. R. Wiwin Istanti, Head of the Planning and Financial Bureau, Secretariat General
- Mr. Albertus Kurniadi Hendartono, Director of Finance and General Affairs, LPDP
- Ms. Lydia Kurniawati Christyana, Director of Regional Taxes and Retribution, Directorate General of Fiscal Balance
- Mr. Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, Head of the Type C Soekarno-Hatta Major Customs and Excise Office, Directorate General of Customs and Excise
Beyond their presence, the leadership and staff actively engaged with the children and their families—sitting side by side with the children, sharing warm conversations, and offering heartfelt encouragement. Their genuine compassion created an inviting space where every child felt deeply cared for and valued.
Crafting Sweet Memories as Tiny Chefs
The true magic of the afternoon unfolded during the “Tiny Chefs” Cake Decorating Workshop, where 15 of Rachel House’s patients suddenly transformed into young bakers. Dressed in tiny bright yellow aprons and chef hats, the children added an extra dose of cuteness to the room as they gathered at small activity tables to showcase their creativity.
The workshop flowed easily in two delightful sessions—the first dedicated to decorating cupcakes, and the second to shaping and dressing up sweet chocoballs. Guided step-by-step to bring out their cutest designs, the children poured their hearts into every creation. Right by their side, their parents and the Ministry staff joined in the fun—cheering on their progress, keeping spirits high, and sharing plenty of laughs as the sweet treats came to life.
Even as the room buzzed with laughter and warm interactions, creating a joyful atmosphere where hospital routines were completely forgotten, Rachel House’s medical team was out in full force that day to keep a watchful eye over the children’s safety. And, at the end of the workshop, the proud “Tiny Chefs” eagerly posed for photos with their colorful creations, holding up their custom-decorated treats with big smiles.
Fueling Hope and Joy
This celebratory gathering was made possible through the dedicated support of the Ministry of Finance, who funded the event and opened their doors to host the children and their families at the Radius Prawiro Building.
Beyond creating a warm and welcoming space, the Ministry funded the beautiful day of fun and creativity for the children, complete with meals for the families on-site. Their generosity extended even further through a crucial donation to Rachel House, strengthening daily operations to ensure that free, specialized home-based palliative care continues to be available for seriously ill children across Jakarta.
Adding Life to Every Day
At Rachel House, our founding philosophy remains simple yet profound: “We are not here to add days to the children’s lives, but to add life to their remaining days.”
Events like the Ministry of Finance 2026 Christmas Charity Event Series serve as a touching reminder of what compassionate care truly means. Providing palliative care goes beyond the management of medical symptoms —it is about restoring dignity, alleviating pain, and creating happy memories that families will treasure forever.
Watching 15 brave children beam with joy over their decorated cakes reaffirmed that making a lasting difference in a child’s life is indeed all in a day’s work.
And you too can help create more days like this. Whether by hosting an outing for the children, creating an activity together, volunteering your time, or supporting programs that bring joyful experiences to the seriously ill children and their families.
Together, we can create more opportunities for the children to discover, explore, and make special memories with the people they love.
If you would like to be part of this celebration of life, get in touch with us at [email protected] or call +62 851-8318-9659.