People with mental disabilities often find it difficult to feel socially included and most importantly, a sense of purpose.

They are oftentimes treated with pity and perceived as bothersome. However, with utmost dedication and an unbroken commitment, I’m Star House shows that there can be a silver lining to every hardship.

The house in Bintaro, South Tangerang, Banten, is filled with optimism and enthusiasm.

There, people with mental disabilities engage in activities such as packaging food, making goodie bags and parcels, writing gift cards and designing curriculum vitae (CV).

“Today, we are packaging utensils to be used with lunch boxes. We need to wrap 20,000 packets by the end of the week,” said Arianda "Arya" Wiradipa Prabowo, 24, who was diagnosed with Sotos syndrome, a disorder characterized by excessive physical growth accompanied by autism, in his early childhood.

Arya and his fellow particpants meticulously wrap tissue around the utensils before putting them into plastic wrappers. While sustaining focus, they chat about music and sometimes giggle.

At present, there are 12 participants at the house, who work from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. They work under the supervision of five mentors and one assistant.

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