Oct 01, 2017

A Changed Life

“Through Care Channels’ livelihood program, I have learnt to be more patient and diligent in everything I do. My attitude also impacted my family when I got married and I now have a family who support and love me.”

 

Lina working at home

My name is Lina Marlina Silalahi. I come from Medan, North Sumatra. My husband’s name Yansen Sijabat. He works as a volunteer at the school for children with disabilities, earning a small income. We have two kids. The first is named Jeslin Margaretha who is 3.5 years old. The second is named Disabel Natasya who is 6 months old. We do not yet have our own home. We live with my sister’s family. They have given us a room to stay in.

I joined the livelihood program in 2007 before I got married. When I was a teenager, I moved to Jakarta to stay with my sister’s family. Their family lives near a dumpsite, in Kampung Sawah, Semper, North Jakarta. My sister and her husband serve in poor communities.

At that time I was still in school and unmarried. I needed money for my school fees and my other needs. I wanted to continue school and become a teacher but I realized that I could not continue depending on my sister’s family because they were not a rich family.

One day my sister recommended that I join the livelihood program of Care Channels. I accepted the suggestion of my sister and joined the program. Since then, I have benefitted a lot from the livelihood program. Now I have an income for my family’s needs as well as skills that I can use to teach and help others.

Through this livelihood program I have learnt to be more patient and diligent in everything I do. My attitude also impacted my family when I got married and I now have a family who support and love me.

After I joined the livelihood program, my sister’s family began to see the changes in me. Even the people around us grew interested in the livelihood program. Now, I am the coordinator of livelihood for my community. I am very happy because now I can share my knowledge and serve my community in love through this program.

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Craftwork, Empowering (INDO), Holistic (INDO), Indonesia, Innovative (INDO), Sustainable (INDO)