November 26th, 2025, remains a dark memory for 16-year-old Tina. The teenage girl was forced to flee her damaged home in a village in Central Tapanuli Regency after massive flooding tore through her community. Along with her family, Tina evacuated to a displacement camp. Life there felt restrictive and scarce, yet Tina noticed a significant gap: no organisation was providing specific attention to the nutritional needs of children and infants.
In partnership with Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), Tina decided to take an active role. Though a displaced person herself, she stepped up as a coordinator for a community kitchen specifically dedicated to children’s meals. This facility is known as the IYCF Kitchen (Infant and Young Child Feeding).
Through this role, Tina gained a new perspective that challenged her previous beliefs. She was trained to cook nutritious meals without salt or MSG—a standard that felt completely foreign to her. Initially, the biggest hurdle was their own palates. "The food isn't nice; it's too bland," many complained, including Tina herself. The children at the camp initially refused the food, having grown accustomed to strong, salty flavours. However, WVI’s Sumatra flood response team provided consistent education. Tina began to realise that nourishing a child's future is far more important than merely pleasing their taste buds with flavour enhancers.
The most significant shift occurred when Tina learned to handle complaints from parents. When parents lamented that their children wouldn't eat, Tina patiently explained and demonstrated that children can be trained to accept the natural flavours of food. She saw the most tangible success within her own home; her younger sibling, once a picky eater who dismissed healthy food as tasteless, gradually began to enjoy it. Tina also successfully educated fellow volunteers and mothers at the camp. She transformed from a complaining teenager into a persistent advocate for children’s health.
On February 4th, 2026, the camp was closed, and Tina returned to her village with a sense of hope. However, nature tested her once again. Just a week after returning, a second, even larger flood struck. The temporary shelter they were living in was swept away. For the second time, Tina and her family lost everything. The situation was dire; they were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, seeking refuge in a church or at the home of Mrs Nani, a fellow IYCF volunteer.
Despite these hardships, Tina never stopped helping others. After school, she continues to be a driving force for her community. The IYCF Kitchen remains the place where she contributes to easing the burden of fellow displaced residents.
Tina’s story proves that while disasters can destroy physical structures, they cannot break one's character. The transformation Tina underwent—from a survivor to a skilled nutrition advocate—is a long-term investment for her village.
"I am grateful to have met such kind people and the WVI staff. They have helped us so much at the camp from the beginning, for nearly three months now. Thank you for being there for us," she said.
Currently, although Tina is still living in temporary accommodation, she remains a protector for the children in her environment. She ensures that even in the midst of a disaster, the next generation receives the best possible nourishment.
Author: Sonti Manik (Project Officer for Sumatra Flood and Landslide Emergency Response)
Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)