From Insecurity to Hope: Two Students Write Books to Support Children Battling Cancer

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com—At an age when many children spend their free time playing games or scrolling through social media, Lea and Aksara chose a different way to express what mattered to them. They wrote books.

Rather than treating the project as just another school assignment, the two sixth-grade students used their writing to share personal experiences while encouraging readers to embrace self-acceptance. More remarkably, they donated all proceeds from the book sales to the Yellow Ribbon Cancer Foundation (Yayasan Kanker Pita Kuning), raising a total of Rp15 million.

Although inspired by different personal experiences, Lea and Aksara were united by the same belief: every child deserves to feel valued, regardless of their circumstances.

Lea drew from her own life in her book, My Own Special Crown. Through the story, she reflects on her journey toward embracing her naturally curly hair—something that is often viewed differently or negatively by those around her.

“My book is about self-love and the lack of confidence experienced by children with curly hair. Many people misunderstand curly hair and often see it in a negative way. Through this book, I hope readers can become more confident and accept themselves for who they are,” Lea said.

Meanwhile, Aksara chose to address issues that many young people face today. Instead of writing a single book, she authored a trilogy.

Her three titles—Beyond The Filter, Skincare Decoded, and Parents and Guardians—explore topics ranging from misconceptions about skincare during puberty and the influence of social media filters on self-esteem to the importance of healthier communication between parents and their children.

“I really want to help other people become more confident, especially teenagers and children,” Aksara said.

According to their mentor, Dian Nurmala, the two students did more than simply choose trending topics. They had the courage to explore personal experiences and concerns that genuinely reflected their everyday lives.

“Aksara and Lea chose to delve into an issue that is very close to their own lives—beauty standards. Their choice was not just about selecting a topic, but about having the courage to be honest about their own experiences and to speak up about them,” Dian said.

The journey of their books, however, did not end once they were published. Lea and Aksara believed their work would have greater meaning if it could make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

They therefore decided to donate all proceeds from the book sales to the Yellow Ribbon Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports children living with cancer.

For Lea, the decision was driven by her desire to stand beside children coping with the physical changes brought about by illness and treatment.

“I want to help children who are fighting cancer. I want them to know that they are still beautiful and valuable, even though their bodies have changed. I also want them to know that they are not alone,” she said.

Aksara shared a similar motivation. She believes many children lose confidence because of the physical changes caused by chemotherapy. She hopes the donation from his books will help support their treatment while also giving them encouragement during their recovery.

“I hope the donation can help them receive more treatment as quickly as possible so they can recover and become healthy again,” she said.

According to Dian, the idea of donating the book proceeds came entirely from Lea and Aksara. They wanted to ensure that the messages they wrote would not simply remain on the printed page but would have a real impact on others.

“When the Yellow Ribbon Foundation responded, what we felt was more than just approval—it was a warm welcome to the children’s sincerity. They saw that this was not merely a school project, but a genuine act of compassion from children,” Dian said.