Show Notes

Discover what’s possible when perseverance and determination spread awareness one step at a time. 



Maharani Putri Kusuma, or Rani for short, is the co-founder and owner of Rumah Tiara, an autism center in Jakarta, Indonesia. She has been receiving training from the Global Autism Project since 2013. So far, we have sent 13 SkillCorps® volunteer teams to Rumah Tiara to provide sustainable hands-on training. 



For this interview, Rani was joined with Vya Mawarni, a former therapist at Rumah Tiara who interpreted from Bahasa to English for us. I want to give a special thank you to Vya for all of the effort she put into making sure Rani’s message was understood. 



In today’s episode, we discuss the level of autism awareness in Indonesia, the stigma associated with the diagnosis, and the types of services available for families. Rani also describes how she became involved in the field and why she loves working with children with autism. 



Rani talks about some of the challenges she has faced as a business owner, including the ongoing financial struggles resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Her staff at Rumah Tiara stay positive knowing that they are helping children who might otherwise not have access to therapy. 



Rani reflects on her partnership with the Global Autism Project and reminisces about moments she holds dear from the times she has hosted SkillCorps volunteers. She also explains which aspects of Indonesian culture she is most excited to share with our teams when they visit. 



For more information about Rani and Rumah Tiara, you can visit their website and follow them on Facebook.



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Just a reminder that we are still taking donations for our COVID-19 Partner Relief Fund. 



Our partners across the globe share our vision of creating a world where every person with autism can reach their potential no matter where they live. They are dedicated to providing access to quality, culturally-appropriate education and equal opportunities in their communities. 



As a result of COVID-19, our partners have shifted their work to support their students remotely, with many of them volunteering their time, and they will continue to do so as long as they can. 



100% of your donations to the Partner Relief Fund will go directly to our partners who need it most. You will be supporting internet access for remote teaching, educational materials, and tuition scholarships. As our partners adapt and innovate to meet the urgent challenges presented by COVID-19, we’re inviting you today to join us and help create a better future for these children at risk. You can make a donation directly on our website at globalautismproject.org. 



To learn more about our Partner Relief Fund, please listen to episode 10 with our CEO, Molly Ola Pinney. 



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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project. 



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