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'Du Fond du Coeur': A heartbreaking tragedy that blossomed into a beautiful journey
A new fan: Natalia gives a copy of her song âYouâre so Beautifulâ to French Ambassador to Indonesia Corinne Breuzé
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A new fan: Natalia gives a copy of her song 'You're so Beautiful' to French Ambassador to Indonesia Corinne Breuzé.
Natalia Tjahja excitedly welcomed her VIP guests at the premiere screening of her first documentary Du Fond du Coeur (From the Heart) at the French Institute in Jakarta in early July.
The VIPs were children and teenagers, some in wheelchairs, who had been touched by the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation, named after Natalia's daughter who died from a lung infection in 2006.
Through the film, Natalia shares how the heartbreaking loss inspired her to set up the charitable foundation, which aims to help disabled children and grant the wishes of children with terminal illnesses ' in some cases their last wishes.
The foundation has distributed over 3,000 wheelchairs and helped 20,000 children in Indonesia and abroad.
'I dedicate this documentary to children, unfortunate and sick children,' Natalia, who produced, directed and wrote Du Fond du Coeur, said after the screening.
'That's why I believe the children should be invited to see this.'
Held with the support of French Ambassador to Indonesia Corinne Breuze, the documentary screening gives a glimpse of Natalia and her efforts to help children around the world through the foundation.
One scene depicts Mukhsin, who has been paralyzed by severe polio, and has to depend on his mother for his day-to-day life. Coming from an underprivileged family, Mukhsin cannot afford a wheelchair. Then Natalia comes to his home, bringing him the much-needed gift.
In Taiwan, Natalia embraces children with special needs in Maria Monique's Happy Room. Filled with toys and learning tools, Maria Monique's Happy Room is aimed at providing a space for the children to play and interact with each other.
The documentary features songs written by Natalia, including Wheels to Heal and Tohoku, which she dedicated to the victims of the 2011 Japan tsunami.
With the support of donators, the foundation has established over 80 Happy Rooms in Indonesia and abroad, including in Thailand, Vietnam, India, South Africa and Haiti.
Some members of the audience could not contain their delight when they appeared on the big screen. Among them was Siti Maimunah, a 23-year-old girl who lost her ability to walk after suffering spondylitis tuberculosa.
She excitedly watched a scene of her, along with some children, pushing her wheelchair and striking poses during the foundation's fashion show held at the Italian Embassy.
'Since 2012, Ibu Natalia has invited me to numerous activities. But the most fun was that fashion show.'
'Ibu Natalia is a kind and strong woman,' Siti added.
Wheelchair-bound 14-year-old Rani came to the film screening with her twin sister, her aunt and her friends from her neighborhood in Tangerang, Banten.
Due to incomplete development of her spine, Rani does not possess full motoric abilities.
'Ibu Natalia came to her SLB [school for the disabled] in Ciledug and gave books and wheelchairs to the students,' Rani's aunt said.
The film and its stars depict only a fragment of the foundation's work.
Natalia Tjahja - JP/Yuliasri Perdani
The Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation has given not only books and wheelchairs, but also covered medical treatment, scholarships and other needs and desires of children burdened with illness.
Novi Indriastuti, a blind young girl and aspiring singer from Banjarnegara, Central Java, was brought to Jakarta to record songs with seasoned singer and songwriter Titiek Puspa.
Zulfikar, a 12-year-old kid in the final stage of spinal cancer, dreams of becoming a pilot. In 2009, he was given a pilot's cap and pin by pilots from Garuda Indonesia. He was wearing the cap on his dying day.
Natalia made the 28-minute film with a limited crew in just three weeks.
'Once, someone offered to make the film, but I declined because he intended to make it a commercial film,' she said.
'I don't want people to pay to know about God's work.'
When she started the film project, she was overwhelmed by the tremendous support her friends provided.
MetroTV and CCTV News gave permission to use their footage in the documentary.
Ed Payne, an editor at CNN news channel, and several individuals involved in the foundation's activities provided video testimonies.
'Editor Haryo B Wirawan spent five sleepless days finishing the film. I am touched by his willingness to contribute to the project despite not knowing me long.'
The gift that keeps giving: Natalia Tjahja (third left) distributes books to orphans and disabled children in Ciledug, Tangerang, as part of Maria Monique Remembered 2015.
The documentary will be shown in Singapore, the US, Haiti and the Philippines in the upcoming months. Natalia will adjust the documentary title to the language of the respective country.
'On Sept. 30, it will be screened at Resorts World Manila, under the title of Galing sa Puso, a Tagalog translation of 'from the heart'', she said.
Prior to the screening, Natalia is to travel to Manila to shoot additional scenes to complement the film.
'By adding the footage of children in Manila, they will feel that the film belongs to them.'
As with the premier screening in Jakarta, Natalia promises that children will be her VIP guests during the screening in the Philippines and other countries.
Natalia pledges to continue her works in the foundation, but notes that she does not set any specific target.
'I never make any plan. Everything just happens naturally.'
'The main thing is that when people want to make a donation to the foundation, I don't see the size of their donation, but the sincerity in their hearts.'
' Photos courtesy of Natalia Tjahja
