Behind pages of data, periodic reports, and thousands of neatly organized administrative records, there is always a quiet pulse of life. For Inri Taroreh, her journey at Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), which began on November 1, 2012, was more than a career move from the for-profit sector into humanitarian work. It marked the beginning of a journey of faith and humanity that would fundamentally transform the way she viewed the world.
Inri began her role as a Sponsorship Information Officer (SIO) at the Cilincing and Penjaringan Operations Office in North Jakarta. Initially, she found herself at a crossroads, navigating mixed feelings about her work. From the outset, her primary responsibility was managing data on children enrolled in WVI’s Child Sponsorship Program, including information about their development, family profiles, and overall well-being.
Over time, the intensive routines of data management and administrative systems began to feel monotonous. However, a new door opened when she started visiting the field. There, she witnessed firsthand how numbers, names, and data codes came to life through the bright eyes of children who welcomed WVI staff with their warmest smiles. This experience gave her a new understanding: sponsorship was not merely a transaction involving aid or an administrative formality, but a bridge of love connecting two people living in different places.
“Joining WVI helped me better understand the organization’s values and culture, which are not necessarily found in the for-profit world, particularly the importance of learning to depend on God,” Inri recalled. “I was fortunate to have leaders who not only encouraged us to focus on systems but also gave us opportunities to visit the field, see program implementation firsthand, and understand how sponsorship creates a tangible impact,” she added.
When Winto’s Smile Breaks Through Stigma
“One of the most memorable moments for me was meeting a child named Winto in Bengkulu. His challenges were not only related to his family’s economic circumstances but also to his medical condition. He frequently experienced sudden seizures that caused him to fall unconscious,” Inri shared.
Before Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) began working in the village, Winto lived in social isolation. He was shunned and had to endure the stigma imposed by the people around him. Over time, Inri witnessed how WVI’s support began to bring about change. Winto was gradually included in various children’s activities, his family received support, and little by little, the community began to change the way it viewed and treated him.
An emotional turning point came during the village program’s closing event. Amid the bustle of the celebration, Winto suddenly experienced another seizure. Had the same incident occurred several years earlier, the villagers might have stood still or kept their distance, leaving Winto’s family to face the situation alone. But that day, the scene was strikingly different and deeply moving. Without hesitation, villagers rushed to help, offering him water, embracing him, and comforting both Winto and his father.
“This transformation made me realize that transforming children is not merely a theoretical concept on paper. True success lies in restoring human dignity and creating an inclusive community,” she explained.
Depending on God Every Step of the Way
As her career progressed, Inri took on greater responsibilities. Having started as an officer, she was entrusted with a more senior role as a Sponsorship Relations and Product Enhancement Coordinator. This transition did not come without apprehension. Doubts and concerns sometimes weighed on her as she navigated strategic decisions and led innovations, including transforming traditional correspondence into faster, more personalized digital communication.
Through these difficult and challenging situations, Inri learned to surrender and place her full trust in God. She came to realize that whenever her own abilities felt insufficient, God's presence and guidance were always enough to help her overcome each obstacle. Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone not only strengthened her professional capabilities but also shaped her into a more resilient, humble, and grateful person.
Her sense of being in the right place was reaffirmed when she visited a remote village in West Manggarai. To reach the village, the team had to navigate forest routes under the intense heat and through dense terrain. In the children's sparkling eyes, Inri saw a glimpse of Indonesia's future, one filled with potential, resilience, and determination.
Keeping the Flame of Hope Alive
Today, through the continued development of sponsorship products that are increasingly relevant and adaptable to changing times, Inri remains committed to ensuring that the bonds between sponsors, children, families, and communities remain warm and built on trust.
Her journey has taught her that no significant transformation happens in isolation. It is the result of a beautiful collaboration among sponsors who give generously, staff and community facilitators who serve wholeheartedly, communities willing to open their hearts, and children who never stop dreaming.
For Inri, as long as we are willing to walk together with sincerity and rely on God, every small effort we sow today will blossom into lasting transformation, changing children's lives, transforming communities, and ultimately, changing ourselves.
“I believe that no single party works alone. Sponsors, WVI, children, families, and communities are all part of an interconnected and mutually supportive ecosystem. Each plays an ongoing role in helping children achieve well-being,” she concluded.