Ningsi, Learning to Help Her Mother Since the Age of Nine

“I love walking with Mama, visiting the homes of Sponsored Children (SC), and helping her take photos of them and their families,” said 11-year-old Ningsi when asked how she first became interested in supporting her mother’s volunteer work with Plan International Indonesia in South Central Timor (TTS).

Known affectionately as Ningsi, she is sponsored by Ms. Oetjen from the United Kingdom (UKNO). After school, she often joins her mother on visits to SC families, where she helps fill out questionnaires and take photographs to update the children’s profiles.

The daughter of Welly Taneo, Ningsi is a bright fourth grader at a local public elementary school in TTS. Remarkably, she has held the top ranking in her class from grade one through four. Welly, who has been a volunteer communication facilitator with Plan International Indonesia since 2007, beams with pride. Her daughter is not only excelling academically but also shares her passion for helping others by assisting with sponsorship communications.

“Ningsi started enjoying photography when she was nine,” Welly explained. “She’s been accompanying me on visits to SC families since she was very little, so now she’s quite used to helping—whether it’s taking photos of the children or sometimes even filling out their questionnaires.”

—Written by Agus Haru │Edited by Paulan Aji Brata │Photos: Plan Indonesia/Agus Haru