WVI's Mentoring Changes My Mindset and My Family

For the past 5 years Vivin (15), assisted child of Wahana Visi Indonesia in East Sumba Regency, has been actively involved in children's forums in her village. Her participation in the Children's Forum cannot be separated from the support of her parents who are also Child Protection Cadres and members of the Circle of Friends (COF) formed by WVI for community leaders in the village who are tasked with being child observers.

According to Vivin, her first meeting with WVI came from her father who was also involved in various training with WVI.

"My father is a teacher. Since WVI came to the village, he has participated in many training from WVI such as Parenting with Love training and other regular meetings to discuss child protection issues. From there, I started to know about WVI and saw that WVI's staffs who live in our village are very cool and very friendly," said Vivin.

Vivin explained that she saw that WVI's thoughts were different from those of the villagers. That's why Vivin became interested in WVI, and at the same time, she was asked by her father to join a children's forum in the village for a better future.

After two years of diligently participating in meetings and training in village children's forums, Vivin was then elected as a Village Children's Ambassador when she was in 6th grade. She had the opportunity to represent village children to participate in the Village Development Plan Disscusion (Musrenbangdes) to convey matters related to the child.

One of them is related to school facilities such as sports fields and canteens that can accommodate children not leaving school during break time.

“Children at break time leave the school environment with the excuse of going shopping for food even though they like motorcycle racing and don't go back to school. In addition, I also suggested providing school transportation because the distance from my friends' houses to school was very far. In addition to education, I also propose that children be more protected because there are cases of violence including rape that occur in the village," she said.

Through WVI's assistance, Vivin also saw various changes that occurred in the elderly in the village. According to her, parents are becoming more patient and willing to build communication with their children.

“There is a friend of mine, a neighbor who is often beaten by his mother and father, but since his parents joined the WVI training, I rarely hear of my friends being beaten or crying. In my own family, my mother was often pinched and angry. But because my father is a facilitator, my parents often participate in training as well and now Mama is rarely angry anymore, even if she is angry, there is always communication and listening from my side. Talking becomes smoother, if I'm wrong I don't get hit again, but more advice is given.

She added, that now both parents are starting to listen to their children's opinions, such as when choosing a school or making decisions in the family.

In addition to changes in the family, Vivin also felt a change in herself. She was a shy person and did not be brave to dare to appear in front of many people. Vivin who used to like to argue, fight parents, and lie has also changed.

"The assistance from the WVI changed the mindset and character of me and my family ... Our family became more harmonious and everyone became more patient individuals because they learned a lot at WVI," she concluded.

Vivin hopes that she can continue what she has received from WVI for the benefit of more children in her village. She promised to continue to fight for child protection in East Sumba.

Written by: Gracia Thomas, Volunteer Engagement Executive Wahana Visi Indonesia