The Transformational Development in the Eye of the Hero of Humanity, Grace Hukom
WVI is a humanitarian service organization that uses the Transformational Development (TD) approach in many of its programs in the field. Christian faith is the foundation of their ministry.
WVI does not just come with the program, but aims to triggers awareness and creates independence in the community.
WVI, for example, strives for clean water. They do not stop answering the physical issue that water is available. Because all agencies can do the same. However, WVI has arrived at a stage, do people feel grateful for the available water, because they can support themselves in the future? Do people realize that they have been liberated from the oppression of the people who used to control water? The transformation took place at this point!
We once built a water pipeline in the West Sumba area, NTT. We must not forget that the land that must be traversed for pipe installation belongs to the landlord. Without involving them, the development of transformation cannot occur. These land owners need to be made aware that by giving up their land to be traversed by pipes, they are already serving their fellowmen, the poor people who do not have access to clean water. We could immediately pull the pipe according to the village head's orders. But rest assured, three to four years later the pipe can be crushed into pieces. The TD challenge is here. If it's just a job to do the development process, it's easy.
In TD, the principle is always upheld: People should not be used as "objects" that continue to exist so that we can continue to get sponsorships and can also live from there. Transformative development must make people aware that they have been freed from their confining past. They will cry out, "We are free!" Or say, "We know who is our Lord." Because God has freed them from bad relationships with themselves, bad relationships with others did not treat nature arbitrarily, and now they are free to develop and grow to be better.
The question to measure it is easy, i.e., Does the community we have helped, and then left, feel grateful that we were there? Do they feel that they have been freed from their backwardness? Or maybe we just make them more dependent on help?
Transformational development takes a long time to see results. And most of us can't stand it. We want instant. Many people are impatient with the process. And many do not want to accept it because of the long process. WVI is an institution that is committed to this process.
I always say, WVI can last for decades like it is now because they realize this ministry belongs to God. WVI survives not because of who is the director or who is the staff, and so on. I will give you an example. In 1997 there was a famine in Karubaga, Central Highlands, Papua. James Tumbuan was the national director at that time. WVI wanted to respond to a disaster by planning to deliver medicine and food. But we don't have money. All we can do was going into the room and start praying. We ask God, if He wishes, the residents could use WVI as an extension of His hand to distribute aid. God is pleased to open the way. Of course, after that, we did not remain silent.
Unexpectedly, after praying, phone calls came from everywhere. WVI was asked to come to get medicines. Come to get groceries and clothes. Everything needed for a disaster response was available in a relatively short period. There was also a donation of money which was sufficient for us to send to Papua. Processes like this that I experienced. Happens from time to time.
In 1998 the crisis came. We want to help but we also don't have funds. We prayed, asking God Himself to guide and open the way. Suddenly help came like a hurricane. Until we need to add more staff to take care of everything. From 200 people up to 1,000 people. We recruit the best young people.
None of this happened by accident. All of this happened because WVI adhered to the vision and mission that God had given. Obey the core values. Obey its mandate, that is, depend on God!
I always said: You can be smart; you can be great. But if you rely on yourself, you are nothing. Because everyone can propose. Other NGO fellows must be good at making proposals. But if we don't rely on God, we'll be nothing.
All the money "coming" is not WVI money. All of these are entrusted by the donors so that we carry out this transformational development.
It is such a design that makes WVI last until now and in the future. I am very confident!
Whether the institution is changed, whoever the leader is, as long as they fear God and the organization runs according to His mandate, WVI will still exist.
Written by Alex Japalatu, The Writer of "Toward WVI's Interdependence, Every Child Life in All Its Fullness" based on the interview with Grace Hukom, May 4, 2021
Notes:
This article was published to commemorate Grace Hukom who has served at Wahana Visi Indonesia for more than 30 years. Grace Hukom passed away on August 19, 2021 in Jakarta. During her lifetime, Grace Hukom was known as a humanitarian hero who dedicated her life to serving in some humanitarian organizations, one of them was child-focused services with Wahana Visi Indonesia.
