Volunteer Story: My Heart was Touched by Them
Yuliana Yustanti Witak (23), or commonly known as Tute, is one of the volunteers who help the affected communities by the Seroja tropical cyclone in NTT. Even though she admits that she doesn't really like children, with her background in Psychology education, Tute was moved to do something for the children affected in Adonara.
"My heart was touched and moved by their friendly attitude and polite greeting. We were called teacher by them," said Tute.
Tute got various experiences while volunteering with Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) on Adonara Island. She saw very active children and liked to do activities together.
"Every day when we start the activity, we open it with the prayers and songs of the Sekami children (children's Sunday school) and we close with prayers as well. Before closing with prayers we reflect on what they have gained today. This is done to retrain the kids' cognitive skills, and they always follow that. Here we find children with a variety of behaviors and varying emotional expressions,” she explained.
Not only teaching but Tute and other volunteers also reflect and evaluate various activities they have done with their children. Tute realized that her activities with WVI provided new things that were not found in lectures.
"I am happy and grateful to be present amidst the adversity and sadness of the younger siblings in Adonara," he concluded.
Tute hopes that the children who assist him can continue to receive assistance, especially for those with physical/mental disabilities, as well as many prayer organizations or groups that can support the Adonara community in improving their spirituality after the disaster.
Rewritten based on volunteer experience by Putri ianne Barus, Communications Officer of Wahana Visi Indonesia
