Aruna Harjani

Dressed in a red kebaya blouse and matching flora-and-fauna inspired batik sarong, Diksha Lalchandani, chairperson of the Women'€™s International Club (WIC), stood on stage and gave her speech.

The club is not new to Diksha. As a young teen she accompanied her mother, who was also a member of the Jakarta chapter.

'€œI spent my school holidays volunteering in the library,'€ she recalled.

Diksha, an Indonesian of Indian origin, became a full-time member in 1985, when she was married with kids. She was not active for the first 15 years as responsibilities at home held her back.

'€œBut then, the more time I spent at the club and saw the commitment of the members, the more inspired I became to participate. These ladies are tremendous because they volunteer their effort, time and money happily.'€

Diksha started helping out at the club'€™s annual bazaar by selling raffle tickets. She then moved to the social welfare committee as a '€œfoster aunt'€ for institutions '€œadopted'€ by WIC and supervised the facilities to upgrade the environment.

'€œThe social welfare program is a strong focus for WIC,'€ she said.

Diksha became more active in the club. She joined the bazaar proceeds committee, which was made up of honorary members (spouses of ambassadors), past presidents and regular members.

'€œWe were mandated to visit and evaluate each institution that requested help, and then implement selected projects,'€ she said.

In 2006, Diksha was invited to join the executive committee (EC) for the first time as first secretary. '€œI thoroughly enjoyed this tenure, learning all about WIC'€™s activities and intricacies. I followed on as the social welfare chairperson for the next term and after four years on the EC.'€

A mandatory break was required so Diksha took the opportunity to work on a subcommittee.

In 2012, Diksha was appointed the chairperson of the bazaar committee. '€œIt was time to learn about collection and fund-raising. My past experience at WIC taught me to understand how every rupiah is used and this made all the hard work extremely rewarding.'€

Two years later Diksha was elected president of WIC.

'€œThis unwavering support of everyone has been intrinsic to my decision to accept the position and my ability to carry out the required duties,'€ she said.

WIC membership is made up of 60 percent Indonesian and 40 percent expatriate women.

'€œWe have a broad range of members, from a few long-time members who are over 90 years old and some still in their 30s,'€ she said.

'€œWe all work together in harmony and happiness, leveraging our diversity of talent, ideas, experience and cultures to help create and contribute to what we believe is something extraordinary. Seeing our joint efforts come to fruition just motivates us further.'€

A key aspect that differentiates WIC from similar social welfare organizations is that the club focuses on Greater Jakarta.

'€œWe do not channel money to any institution, rather we implement projects under our direct and frequent supervision.'€

There are also programs every month that have myriad activities, from languages to cooking, epicurean appreciation, handicrafts and dancing. '€œWe also arrange an annual trip, alternating between a destination in Indonesia and internationally.'€

One of the institutions WIC is actively involved with is YPLB Nusantara. The institution takes care of children with special needs. WIC is a regular sponsor of the institution and provides it with mattresses and medicines for children with rare diseases.

During one of the visits, a WIC foster aunt met a bright blind child who dreamed of becoming a singer and TV announcer.

When the case was discussed at a regular meeting, a member immediately provided funds to pay for optic surgery but a medical checkup revealed that surgery would not restore the girl'€™s sight. The funds were then used to pay for a teacher to teach her Salsa Braille.

'€œThe child can now read and write and a new dimension has been opened for her,'€ says Diksha.

WIC also has a separate welfare section that is responsible for scholarships, and this area is managed through similar principles.'€ It is not just about providing financial assistance. It is about extending the WIC family to include these students and arranging outings and seminars that advance their development.'€

In 1947, during the partition between India and Pakistan, her parents shifted to Jakarta. Diksha, the eldest of four siblings, was born in Jakarta two years later.

'€œOur childhood was dotted with outside playtime, lots of walking to friends'€™ houses nearby and hopping in and out of becak (pedicab). I recall when we started getting TV relays for a few hours a day, which was considered a special treat!'€

She learned two fundamental things that she still values and upholds to this day. '€œFirst, discipline is imperative and second, friendship is not solely based on similarities or differences. I am fortunate to have school mates living all around the world and when we meet, we simply pick up where we left off.'€

WIC was established in 1950 by women of four different nationalities '€” Indian, Indonesian, British and American. The club'€™s motto is Friendship Through Understanding

'€œOur organization promotes education and social improvement in Greater Jakarta. Our generation and future generations have a long road of working together ahead of us to meet this vision. I am grateful to be part of this journey.'€

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