Former Sponsored Child Gives Back to Develop Central Sulawesi
"My message to younger generation throughout Indonesia, I beg and ask, we as young people who are the successors of this nation, to keep up the spirit, keep fighting, study hard, and achieve our goals. Beyond our own thoughts, if we have the spirit in our hearts and souls, then it is possible that we can achieve and aim for whatever our goals are," said Kopda BAH Renaldi, a member of the The Indonesian Navy serving in Palu, Central Sulawesi.
Renaldi's message comes from his personal memories. As a child, Renaldi lived in Poso Regency, which was in the midst of a conflict. The chaos, unstable conditions and tense atmosphere during the conflict in Poso traumatized Renaldi, as well as other children. In fact, he also felt that there was no hope.
"But I am grateful that in 1997, when I was in 3rd grade, WVI came and I became a sponsored child. WVI's presence brought fun activities for children. In addition, my sponsor from America also sent a letter. In it there is a greeting so that I remain enthusiastic about achieving my goals," said Renaldi.
Renaldi admits that the fun activities that WVI facilitated were a comforters in the midst of the trauma experienced by children in Poso. Through activities such as the National Children's Day celebration, Renaldi and other children received a lot of motivation to keep rising, keep fighting. "What has happened let bygones be bygones. If not the children of Central Sulawesi, especially Poso, who rise up and build Central Sulawesi in the future, who will?" he said.
Through a long-term transformational development program, WVI's operational offices opened in the most remote areas which prioritize presence among children and communities. Not just knowing, but understanding how children and communities live in the assisted areas. Then through community development programs, empower children and communities to find hope and move out of poverty.
This is also what Renaldi feels is important as a former sponsored child. "The team from WVI always provides support and encouragement. Simply put, when I go to my school, the WVI staffs would love to ask each child what their dreams are. That actually makes us think about how a child can start to think on organizing his or her future," said Renaldi.
Wahana Visi Indonesia's sponsors are milestones in Renaldi's life so that he can achieve his childhood dreams. Through donations or child sponsorship, sponsors and donors can change a child's life. Bringing that child to find hope, to find the spirit to achieve their dreams, so that later they can have an impact on others.
Join hands with WVI, take your part now and change the life of a child in Indonesia!
Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
