Natalia Tjahja: From Grief to Grace

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Losing a loved one leaves a wound that can be difficult to heal. But for Natalia Tjahja, losing her daughter, Maria Monique, became a major turning point that transformed her grief into a mission to help people around the world.

Today, that story continues to inspire many people through the social work of the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation (MMLWF), which she established in memory of her late daughter. The foundation was established to provide humanitarian assistance, particularly to people with disabilities and other vulnerable communities.

The Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation has grown into an international nonprofit organization with 21 charity projects worldwide. Her daughter’s last words became the catalyst for Natalia to dedicate herself to supporting vulnerable communities.

“Before she passed away, she said to me: ‘Mom, go around the world, find unfortunate kids, and give them happiness,’” Natalia told Voice of Indonesia in a recent interview. Since then, the Maria Monique Last Wish Foundation has continued to spread hope and support to people in need.

Among the foundation’s recent initiatives are the Hospital Wishes of Hope program, in partnership with Dr. Kariadi Hospital in Semarang, and Mountain Wishes of Hope. The former provides wheelchairs to patients who are in urgent need, including postoperative patients.

Expanding into disaster relief, the Mountain Wishes of Hope program aims to support vulnerable communities living near active volcanoes, including Mount Krakatau, Mount Sinabung, and Mount Merapi. The foundation, established in 2006, also launched an international charity program called 100 Celebrities Talk for Paralympic (100 CTFP) on July 11, 2025.

The program brings together 100 celebrities worldwide to share three messages of love and encouragement with Paralympic athletes. The messages offer respect, moral support, and inspiration for athletes competing on the international sporting stage worldwide today.

The launch received support from Paralympic organizations: ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF), Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), and International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The 100 CTFP program has since reached 660 celebrities, far surpassing its initial goal of 100 participants worldwide.

“When IPC President Andrew Parsons mentioned there are 1.3 billion persons with disabilities worldwide, it reflects the hard work done for para-sports. For me, it is a combination because my heart is close to them. When we help them, we help in detail,” Natalia said.

For Natalia, helping others comes from a deep personal bond she feels with the people she serves. Rather than offering generic assistance, she seeks to provide what people specifically need to foster hope, regain their dignity, and enjoy their daily lives.