Jakarta. Sight is a gift often taken for granted. For 11th-grader Raymond Kusumadinata, a survivor of the eye cancer retinoblastoma, it became the powerful engine for a youth-led movement.

Having personally faced the emotional and psychological toll of visual impairment, the Canisius College High School student was galvanized to act. He teamed up with co-founders Josh Marco Tandio and Reynard Ruslan, two 12th-graders from Santa Theresia High School, to launch Pelita Mata (Light of the Eye) in October 1st, 2024. Their project is dedicated to a singular, critical goal: providing free prosthetic eyes to underprivileged child survivors of eye cancer.

A Mission Born from Experience

Kusumadinata's motivation is deeply personal. "I faced a lot of strange glances when growing up," he shared. "Over time, I learned to accept my circumstances because I realized that life isn't just about our bearing weaknesses, but overcoming them."

He views his experience not as a limitation, but as a catalyst. "Losing part of my vision at such a young age changed the way I viewed the world, both literally and figuratively," Kusumadinata explained. "I chose to take a different step, a step towards inspiring and creating."

Pelita Mata's core mission is twofold: to provide high-quality eye prostheses so children can "experience the beauty of the world again with enthusiasm and confidence," and to raise public awareness of the critical importance of early detection and treatment for retinoblastoma.

The project's impact quickly proved to be greater than just medical aid. "At first, I thought it was only about providing medical help," Josh Marco Tandio shared. "But when I saw the kids smiling while looking into the mirror, I realized we were restoring something deeper and more meaningful: their joy."

Pelita Mata co-founder, Reynard Ruslan, also experienced a personal awakening, though it came from a moment of physical mishap. "I only realized Raymond was wearing a prosthetic eye when I accidentally hit his head during basketball," Ruslan quipped. This served as his own catalyst, inspiring a deeper empathy and solidifying his commitment to the mission.

Partnership for Quality Care

Driven by the desire to avoid the challenges of ill-fitting prostheses, Pelita Mata established a key partnership with Ilyarsi Okularis. The specialist clinic, founded by a couple, Rizwan and Desy, who learned the craft after struggling to find a quality prosthesis for their own daughter, ensures the children receive the best possible care.

The students' hard work, which included securing sponsors, has already yielded impressive results across two major fundraising events.

"Voice of Hope" Delivers Joy and Confidence

The first inaugural fundraising event on March 23rd, 2025, successfully raised more than 50 million rupiah. This critical funding covered the cost of 10 prosthetic eyes, which were provided to nine children (one child required two prostheses).

The project's centerpiece, the second and most prominent event, "Voice of Hope," took place at PlayParq Kemang, Jakarta, on October 19th, 2025. This impactful day went beyond the emotional handover of 10 additional prostheses to eight patients (as two children required bilateral prostheses).

It also highlighted key partnerships, with a beneficiary supported by the Indonesia Care for Cancer Kids Foundation (Yayasan Kasih Anak Kanker Indonesia/YKAKI), and attendees included two young patients from the Indonesian Pediatric Cancer Foundation (Yayasan Kanker Anak Indonesia/YKAI). The day was rounded out with a crucial educational campaign on eye cancer detection, and the event successfully doubled its original fundraising target.

To ensure the children felt comfortable and affirmed, the event incorporated fun and distraction. The Komunitas Pencinta Parrot (Parrot Enthusiast Community), along with Raja Parrot and Featherlife, participated, sharing knowledge and offering bird snacks. "The room filled with laughter as the kids interacted with vibrant, playful birds," Tandio added. "The parrots really lifted the atmosphere."

The Mission Continues

Ultimately, the "Voice of Hope" event embodies the spirit of Pelita Mata's mission. "It's not just about helping them see again," Kusumadinata concluded. "It's about helping the children see themselves with confidence and full of pride—showing them that even without perfect sight, they can still shine brightly."

The success of the recent fundraising immediately translates into tangible aid. With funds already secured from the successful campaigns, Pelita Mata is currently preparing the next round of high-quality prosthetic eyes for immediate delivery. The organization remains committed to this cycle of giving, continuing to provide life-changing prostheses as new donations are received.

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