Since she was a toddler, Feodora had been battling a life-threatening heart condition. Through God’s grace, the support of her family, healthcare professionals, and the kindness of many people who accompanied her throughout her treatment journey, she was finally able to overcome those difficult years. Today, Feodora enjoys her days as a primary school pupil, filled with joy and enthusiasm. The story of Feodora and her family is a testament to how hope, faith, and compassion can transform a long struggle into healing.
“We only wanted to see Feodora grow up healthy, play, and have the same hopes and opportunities as other children in our village.”
This simple statement reflects the profound hope of a family living in South Nias Regency.
Their journey began when Feodora was around seven months old. At that time, doctors diagnosed her with congenital heart disease (a hole in the heart). The news changed their lives completely. From that moment on, every day was filled with anxiety and fear. Whenever Feodora cried, her body would turn blue and her tongue would darken. Even simple activities such as standing, playing, or crawling became causes for concern, as they left her breathless, exhausted, and at risk of fainting.
Feodora’s parents sought treatment at various health facilities across the Nias Islands. However, due to limited medical services in the area, doctors were unable to provide the treatment she required.
For this humble family, taking their child outside the region for medical treatment felt like an impossible dream. Amid their limitations, they held on to only one thing: prayer and hope that God would provide help.
“There were times when we felt there was nowhere left to turn. Every night, we could only pray that God would protect Feodora. We did not know who to ask for help,” her mother recalled.
Hope began to emerge in 2021 when Feodora, a sponsored child of Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), was given the opportunity to continue her treatment at a hospital in Jakarta equipped with specialised facilities for paediatric heart care.
The opportunity brought both hope and anxiety. After undergoing a series of examinations, the doctors explained that Feodora would require surgery, but they needed to wait until she was older. Performing the operation at that stage would have carried an extremely high risk.
The family returned to South Nias with mixed emotions. They had not yet received the outcome they had hoped for. Nevertheless, they now knew that there was still a possibility for Feodora to recover in the future.
For two years, Feodora waited for the right time to undergo surgery. During that period, she continued with treatment and routine check-ups. Her health was carefully monitored by her parents. Every time they saw other children running freely, they hoped that one day Feodora would be able to do the same.
During a subsequent medical review in Jakarta, doctors were finally able to perform a procedure to improve blood flow to her lungs. However, surgery to close the hole in her heart was still not possible because she was not yet physically strong enough. Once again, the family returned to South Nias carrying a hope that remained unfulfilled.
Yet giving up was never an option. As the years passed, Feodora continued to grow with remarkable resilience. She attended school, played whenever she could, and enjoyed her childhood as best she was able. Her condition never prevented her from embracing each day. Her parents and WVI continued to support and accompany her to ensure she received the healthcare she needed.
Finally, in 2025, the long-awaited news arrived. Doctors confirmed that Feodora’s condition had improved sufficiently for her to undergo surgery to repair the hole in her heart. This time, additional support came through the Every Dream Matters (EDM) programme, a collaboration between JYP Entertainment and WVI. The operation was successfully carried out without complications.
After two weeks of recovery, Feodora returned to South Nias. Follow-up consultations with her doctors continued remotely.
The most joyful moment came in 2026 when doctors declared that Feodora had made a full recovery. The news was an answer to prayers that had been offered for many years. At last, Feodora could look forward to living life to the fullest.
“Now I’m happy because I’m healthy. I can play and run with my friends without being afraid of getting breathless. I want to study hard so that one day I can help many people,” she said.
Her father concluded:
“Seeing our daughter run is the greatest gift we have ever received. There was a time when all we could do was cry and pray because it felt as though there was no hope left. Today, we watch Feodora go to school with a big smile on her face. We believe God has worked through the many people who have cared for our family. Thank you for all the support and guidance we have received over the years. This assistance not only saved Feodora’s life, but also restored hope to our family.”
Author: Juni Arman Hulu (Programme Coordinator for South Nias Area Programme)
Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)