A wish granted, especially during the darkest period of a child’s life, creates a moment when fear gives way to courage and uncertainty is, instead, met with hope.
How does Make-A-Wish® Indonesia define the phrase “new beginnings”?
For this non-profit organisation, “new beginnings” is never about starting over. “New beginnings,” instead, is about moving forward with a renewed purpose. That said, all great changes often take place after the crossroads. A turning point, one could say. And for Make-A-Wish® Indonesia, true to the organisation’s name, that turning point is marked by a child’s wish—and that wish then creates a moment when fear gives way to courage and uncertainty is met with hope.
“For our organisation, ‘new beginnings’ mean expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to innovate so we can serve more children across Indonesia,” Imelda Tanoyo, the Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish® Indonesia, told Indonesia Expat. “It also means recommitting ourselves to empathy, integrity, and the belief that every child deserves joy—no matter how difficult their journey may be.”
Never ‘just a wish’
As part of the Make-A-Wish® International, Make-A-Wish® Indonesia is dedicated to creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, and is always ready to inspire hope, strength, and joy in children and their families. As a context, the Make-A-Wish® International first found its origin in the United States and has celebrated its 45th anniversary in the year 2025. As of now, the Make-A-Wish® International operates in approximately 50 other countries through 40 international affiliates—with more than 615,000 children’s wishes having been granted worldwide.
The organisation’s purpose, at first glance, may seem simple: to help grant the wishes of seriously ill children. However, as Make-A-Wish® International (and Make-A-Wish® Indonesia) has demonstrated, that seemingly simple purpose requires steadfast devotion and wholehearted tenacity. Some people may even regard working with and joining this organisation as akin to life’s calling.
“My decision to join Make-A-Wish® Indonesia was rooted in my belief in the power of hope,” Tanoyo recalled that pivotal moment when she decided to join the organisation. “Early on, I came to understand that a wish is never ‘just a wish.’ For a child facing a critical illness, a wish can become a powerful emotional anchor—something to look forward to, to fight for, and to believe in.”
Furthermore, the power of a wish, in actuality, lies in its ability to restore a sense of control, joy, and identity—especially at a time when so much feels uncertain. It lifts not only the child, but also their parents and caregivers, reminding them that there is still light, meaning, and something beautiful ahead.
“Joining Make-A-Wish® felt like stepping into a mission where hope is not abstract—it is tangible, intentional, and life-affirming. Being part of an organisation that restores joy at one of the most vulnerable moments in a child’s life felt like a calling rather than a career move, and that purpose continues to inspire me every day,” Tanoyo continued.
The sceptics might think that what Make-A-Wish® Indonesia does is merely handing out gifts—a misconception that could really use a course-correction. In reality, granting a child’s wish is more impactful and powerful than what the sceptics could imagine. A wish uplifts entire families and their surrounding communities: caregivers, volunteers, and partners.
“A wish is a carefully designed journey—medically informed, psychologically supportive, and thoughtfully as well as creatively planned,” Tanoyo underscored.
Tanoyo noted that one of the most common misconceptions about Make-A-Wish® is the belief that it is “just about gifts” or one-day events. In reality, each wish is a carefully designed journey—medically informed, psychologically supportive, and thoughtfully planned to prioritise the child’s safety and emotional wellbeing.
She also emphasised that the impact of a wish extends far beyond the child. A single wish can uplift entire families, caregivers, volunteers, and partners, creating moments of relief, renewed optimism, and emotional resilience—often during some of life’s darkest chapters.
A wish ‘worth fighting for’
As of now, the partners of Make-A-Wish® Indonesia come from various industries and sectors of life, such as Disney, Arya Noble Group, the Indonesia Stock Exchange, Syailendra Capital, British School Jakarta, and even popular content creator Erika Richardo. Make-A-Wish® Indonesia is also supported by dr. Reisa Broto Asmoro, a healthcare practitioner, widely known as a former COVID-19 government spokesperson and Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan 2010, as Brand Ambassador, who lends her voice and advocacy to amplify the mission of bringing hope and joy to children facing critical illnesses. Meanwhile, individuals are always welcome to become one of the WishMakers by either making a donation or directly volunteering in the wish-granting journeys.
Throughout the year 2025, Make-A-Wish® Indonesia has made quite a joyful splash. The most recent example is when Make-A-Wish® Indonesia made children’s wishes come true by helping them serve as Player Escorts at the anniversary celebration of the football club Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Jakarta (abbreviated as Persija Jakarta). Another example is when Make-A-Wish® Indonesia, with the support of KAI Commuter, helped make a wish of a child suffering from a chronic kidney disease come true by teaching the child how to be a machinist.
On top of that, back in October, Make-A-Wish® Indonesia joined forces with Jakarta Fashion Week 2025 and ISSHU by Rheza Paleva, premiering “The Power of a Wish” video and launching ISSHU’s limited-edition Wishing Star bracelets. The proceeds from the purchase of the bracelets were then donated to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across Indonesia.
For Tanoyo personally, it was the unguarded yet profound moments that made 2025 a memorable year.
“There was a moment, simple and unscripted, when I saw a child smile freely again, and their parents exhale perhaps for the first time in a long while,” she reminisced fondly. “That moment reminded me that hope can be transformative, even when circumstances remain difficult. It reinforced why our work matters and why every wish is worth fighting for.”
‘The beginning of hope’
When all is said and done, Make-A-Wish® Indonesia continues to proudly stay true to its motto: “Transforming lives, one wish at a time.” It means recognising that transformation does not always come from grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with being seen, heard, and believed in.
“When a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, their world can suddenly feel like it’s falling apart,” Tanoyo explained. “They’re left wondering, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ What happened after is just as heartbreaking when they are not able to go to school and meet their friends due to being immunocompromised or undergoing treatments. And just like that, their childhood is taken away. Having a wish fulfilled, thus, reminds them that they are special, that they matter, and that there is still a beautiful life waiting for them beyond the diagnosis. And this will transform their lives.”
And, last but not least, every wish that Make-A-Wish® Indonesia is fighting for always leads to that new beginning—the one filled with possibility, resilience, and hope.
“A wish is often the beginning of hope—reminding a child and their family that joy, strength, and possibility still exist,” Tanoyo concluded.
To donate, register as a volunteer, or find out more about the wish-granting journeys of Make-A-Wish® Indonesia:
- Website: makeawish.or.id
- Instagram: makeawish_indonesia
- LinkedIn: make-a-wish-indonesia
- Facebook: makeawishindonesia
- TikTok: @makeawishidn
- YouTube: @makeawish