7 Years of Child Sponsorship Program, Thousands of Children Benefited
It’s been seven years since Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) has served Sidodadi Sub-district at Simokerto District, Surabaya, through the Child Sponsorship Program. This Child Sponsorship Program has supported more than 1,200 children, and until today there are 906 children registered as sponsored children that benefited from the Child Sponsorship Program.
“While receiving assistance from WVI, many new things were taught, especially to cadres or (we called it as) Child’s Friend. One of them is how we meet face to face and talk to people. Cadres and parents are also given an understanding of simple things that can cause trauma to children such as hitting as a warning and how to take care of children according to their age level,” Musafaah (52), a Child’s Friend cadre admitted.
The benefits of the WVI program were also felt by two other Child's Friend mothers, Rochayah and Djulaika.
For Rochayah, WVI programs have a good influence on children. She feels that one program called Interests and Talents (MIBA) helps children know what potential is in them and make them more confident. By having a handwashing facility built by WVI, children who were initially not used to washing their hands are now getting used to it by themselves. This makes Mrs. Rochayah very grateful and happy because WVI’s assistance continues to exist even during a pandemic situation.
On the other hand, Mrs. Djulaika felt that the presence of WVI not only made her understand how to meditate and report cases of child abuse or domestic violence. However, as a parent, she feels that WVI is also paying attention by providing knitting training which can be sold later and generate income.
Not only receiving new knowledge, children and residents in the Sidodadi Sub-district also received donations of Gift Notifications from sponsors in a very generous amount used to complete Integrated Health Post infrastructure facilities, repair Community Unit halls, purchase tents and chairs for community activities, and install CCTV in some access alleys of residential residents. Sidodadi Subdistrict in 2021 was also recorded as having received 108 Gift Notifications with a total of Rp. 138,809,415.
Through the Wahana Visi Indonesia Child Sponsorship program, mothers hope that their children will gain more insight, knowledge, and valuable activities.
Written by: Mazidatul Faizah, Sponsorship Information Officer Area Program Surabaya WVI
Translated by: Klaudia Mawuntu, Intern Wahana Visi Indonesia
