EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE
INSPIRASI is a capacity building programme for emerging young civil society leaders from East Indonesia. Each year, ten participants are selected to further develop their knowledge, skills and confidence so they can enhance their contribution to the sustainable development of their community and the wider East Indonesia region.
Story From Our Alumni
Theodora Melsasail
Cohort : 2025
Theodora Melsasail, originally from the Tanimbar Islands in Maluku Province, was raised on Seram Island where her parents served as teachers. Though distant from her ancestral land, she grew up immersed in the culture of both Tanimbar and Seram, proudly learning her local language, performing traditional dances, and embracing the values passed down by her family.
Her academic journey led her to an English Language Studies degree—chosen by her parents—though her true passion lies in the performing arts. Over time, she reconciled these paths, committing herself to community-based work through long-term volunteerism, guided by the belief that human connection and purpose matter more than accolades.
Now running an arts and education initiative called Theo Dance Family, Theodora joined the Indonesia Young Leaders Programme to gain tools, inspiration, and networks to better serve children and preserve indigenous culture in Seram. She’s eager to learn from New Zealand’s approaches to arts-based education, Māori cultural integration, child-centered learning, and nonprofit management. Her dream is to use dance, storytelling, and creative collaboration as instruments for healing, learning, and advocacy—especially for children who have experienced trauma.
In her downtime, she writes, crafts beaded accessories, plays with children, and explores creative recycling. For Theodora, this program is a bridge to bring sustainable, arts-driven transformation to her island community.
News & Events
Wilda and Ikram Present Collaborative Research on Preserving Traditional Food Knowledge
Wilda Yanti Salam (Memodapur), and Muhammad Ikram ( Nusantara Education Research), both INSPIRASI alumni from the 2024 cohort, recently presented their collaborative abstract at the MoFREC Research Symposium 2026, held on 26 October at Monash University Indonesia, Jakarta.
Action Project Spotlight
Fajar’s project in Makassar tackled the complex barriers to tuberculosis (TB) treatment adherence by building a holistic family and community support network that addressed mental health, financial hardship, and stigma. Through activities such as forming support groups with healthcare workers, survivors, families, and counselors, conducting mental health screenings, launching the #SayaBisaSembuh campaign, and introducing the “Knitting Hope” economic empowerment initiative, the project fostered emotional well-being, reduced stigma, and alleviated financial burdens for TB patients and their families. Despite challenges in participant recruitment, the initiative reached significant impact by leveraging partnerships with NGOs, youth groups, and social enterprises, while empowering survivors as advocates and educators. The project demonstrated the critical role of trust, adaptability, and multisectoral collaboration in supporting treatment adherence and improving community health outcomes.
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INSPIRASI Alumni Map
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
