The 2024 National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of Wadah Foundation successfully brought together all stakeholders to strengthen community empowerment programmes. The three-day event, held from 4 to 6 November 2024 at the Ayana Hotel in Jakarta, served as a platform to evaluate performance, share best practices, and formulate new strategies to achieve organisational goals. One of the main focuses of the Rakernas was strengthening partnerships with various parties and increasing the capacity of facilitators in the field to achieve greater impact.
The Rakernas also invited community representatives who have received support from the organisation, helping them grow into empowered and dignified individuals. These leaders and agents came from communities in Ambon, Ternate, Atambua, Kupang, Sikka, Yogyakarta, Gunung Kidul, Sleman, West Bandung, Bandung Regency, and Jakarta.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Anie Hashim Djojohadikusumo emphasised the importance of collaboration with various parties to realise common goals. She expressed hope that all Wadah members could become credible, accountable, responsive, and reliable individuals in the community.
The Rakernas continued with an experience-sharing session from representatives of the Regional Wadah Houses. Starting with Cyprianus Nahak (Ipy) from Yogya, followed by Rita Wadu from Rumah Wadah Kupang, who shared that Wadah’s support provided space to change their thinking and perspectives, aiding their community assistance efforts. Khadijah Watihelu (Ija) from the Ambon Wadah House noted that the Wadah Universal Education Initiative increases the capacity of women and adolescents to become activists in their environments. Petronela Lele (Nela) from Rumah Wadah Sikka mentioned that mentoring mothers through the Usaha Bersama Simpan Pinjam (UBSP) group had grown organically, increasing members and businesses that add value to household economic income.
The packed agenda of the Rakernas still attracted the interest of participants, who enthusiastically followed the ‘Success Stories of Becoming Self-Reliance’ session, featuring Uswatun Khasanah (Atun) from Bantul, a dance teacher in 11 schools, and Yusman Tuhulele from Ambon, who shared his journey to becoming a lecturer with Wadah’s help.
Lili Bouk, Mrs. Fatima Luan from Atambua; Juni and Ms. Win from Gunung Kidul; and Mrs. Tini Malan shared tips on building independence. Recognizing oneself, improving skills, developing empathy, managing time, taking initiative, building networks, focusing on service, listening, giving feedback, thinking creatively, and setting personal goals were valuable tips for the participants.
At the end of the Rakernas, a work plan was produced to guide the next year, containing targets and strategies to achieve them. As a follow-up to the 2025 work programme, the Wadah Foundation remains committed to realising its vision, mission, and goals, but needs to adjust its services according to community conditions. Wadah’s Secretary General, Paula S. Landowero, stated that Wadah acts as a facilitator with three supports: emotional, facilities, and opportunities. The division of roles between Wadah, the community, and partners is crucial for the successful implementation of programmes, making the community the main actor of empowerment.
The Rakernas was also addressed by Ibu Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, one of board of patron, with a session on self-reliance, emphasising that independence is not just about not depending on others but also having self-awareness and decision-making abilities. Independence of thought and character becomes essential when individuals recognize their abilities and self-awareness.
The Rakernas ended with a socialisation session from the Wadah Titian Harapan Consumer Cooperative (KKWTH), delivered by the head of the board, Mrs. Lilik Juniarti. She recalled the role of Rakernas participants, many of whom are founding members of the Cooperative to play an active role as members who empower and prosper themselves through the Cooperative.
The 3-day Rakernas concluded with participants returning to their regions with renewed hope and spirit for 2025. The Secretary General of the Wadah Foundation closed the event, reminding everyone that the discussions over the past three days should provide enlightenment, strength, and new enthusiasm to realise all plans with strategic steps.
Author: Robby Reppa
Editor: Paula Stela Nova Landowero
