Children's happiness is my happiness

Utut is the head of neighborhood (RT) in one of assisted village by Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan. He is a community leader who was born and raised in the village.

He has known about WVI in Kubu Raya operational office since 2013 through his encounter with one of WVI’s staff, Adrian, who at the time was stationed here and often paid a visit to his village. This very encounter allowed Utut to know WVI better and he became very pleased every time he would meet with the children, for he could see the changes in the children of the village. Moreover, he also has seen changes in youth in the village who participated in several WVI’s activities.

For a long time he has dedicated his house to accommodate children’s activities and place to stay when WVI staff need to live in the village. “We (let them) use this house, because we need to have a social sense and the activities here are beneficial for the children,’ recounts Utut.

There was a building in front of Utut’s house for a computer lesson for the children in the village, as the tutor became inactive, the lesson also inactive. Due to a child’s request, the building was soon turned into a reading space for children. After discussing with WVI, he allowed the front porch of his house to be an opened reading space for the children. The area is currently under renovation though it can still be utilized accordingly.

He has seen changes in the children’s character, where they became more diligent, more open-minded and more eager to work together positively (in Children Forum). “I hope these children’s future can advance when they participate in WVI activities. They (WVI) teach our children well, I have seen the changes in them,” expressed Utut by the end of our meeting.

Mr. Utut once gave a significant input to our WVI, “I once talked to Adrian about the possibility of us going home early in the evening. We used to stay until 7 or 8 at night and there are risks (for the children) that come out of that,” he remarked. It was a very positive and empathetic feedback that WVI took into account when working with children.

The frequent activities taking place at Utut’s house brought positive changes in his family, which gave his nephew and grandchildren the desire to be friendly to the guests and help clean and tidy up the house.

Yoel Setiawan (Child Protection Specialist) & Hotmianida Rosdelina Panjaitan (HAZE Project Leader), Wahana Visi Indonesia West Kalimantan Zone