Ayang’s childhood experiences became the motivation behind her commitment to building a better future for children in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). She grew up in a modest family where the struggle to access clean water was part of everyday life. “From a young age, I witnessed how children and communities struggled to meet their daily needs, including access to clean water,” she shared.
It is no surprise, then, that Ayang now wholeheartedly works as a WASH Engineer in the WASH Business Plan (WASH BP) programme facilitated by Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI). In her role, she is responsible for planning, designing, and implementing WASH programmes across several assisted villages in NTT. Her work directly contributes to improving the lives of children and communities.
Ayang has witnessed many villages in NTT experience access to clean water for the very first time. Moments like these always touch her deeply. “When water flows for the first time, the children are overjoyed. A child once said to me, ‘Since birth, today is the first time we have seen water flow into our village. Now we can bathe as much as we want.’ I realised that this work is not just about building facilities, but about reminding us that there is always hope for children,” she said.
These simple words from children continue to inspire her. Their sincerity, joy, and gratitude help Ayang persevere through the many challenges of implementing WASH programmes. The fatigue she experiences—both physically and emotionally—feels worthwhile when she sees the happiness on children’s faces. She longs to see even more villages gain access to clean water.
“WASH programmes also focus on supporting children and communities—walking alongside them as they build sustainable behavioural change. These long experiences have strengthened my belief that something as simple as clean water can serve as an entry point to impactful and holistic transformation,” she emphasised.
Ayang joined WVI in 2022. Through her journey with the organisation, she has come to understand the true meaning of serving with heart. For her, humanitarian work is not merely a profession, but a genuine calling. “To me, WVI is like a bridge that connects compassion with real action,” she explained. At the same time, WVI has provided a space for Ayang to grow—not only as a skilled WASH Engineer, but also as an empathetic individual who lives out humanitarian values in her daily life.
Through her current role, Ayang hopes that every child—even those living in the most remote villages—will have access to clean water, quality education, and a safe environment. “Distance and remoteness should never stand in the way of a child’s opportunity to achieve a better future,” she concluded.
Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)