The Untold Journey to a Hospitality Career for Underprivileged Youth

For many from lower-middle-class backgrounds in Indonesia, the idea of staying in a three-star hotel is almost unimaginable. Hotels are often seen as symbols of luxury places, people pass by while wondering,

What does it feel like to sleep in a soft bed and spend more than 20 euros for just one night, while most people earn only 5 to 8 euros a day for eight hours of work?

This perception also extends to those who work in hotels. Many assume that only graduates from prestigious hospitality schools can land jobs in such places, making it an unattainable career for most.

However, the story of Vanni and Wulan is different. They have been working at Citi M Hotel for years after completing their PTE program at TDC Jakarta. Both come from slum areas, Vanni grew up in a high-risk zone in North Jakarta, infamous for crime and drug trafficking. Who would have thought that talent could emerge from such vulnerable environments?

I had the privilege of being their coach, witnessing first hand their transformation into career-driven women after overcoming immense struggles. I still remember the tears they shed during our Face to Face sessions, talking about the sacrifices they had to make, the burden of caring for their younger siblings, and the pain of losing a father while still in the LP4Y program. One had to step up as the sole provider for the family, while the other’s mother had to flee an abusive household.

As a coach, I had to maintain a professional perspective while guiding them. My role was not to solve their problems but to help them develop the mindset and skills to overcome challenges on their own.

Vanni and Wulan were diligent yet fragile, carrying heavy family burdens that most people could hardly bear. But the question remained, should we focus on their hardships and sadness, or on what can be done to overcome them?

Building Bridges for Inclusion through Hospitality Career

Through coaching, I learned the importance of creating bridges between marginalized Youth and the professional world. Partnerships became a challenge that pushed me out of my comfort zone but also led to meaningful impact.

That’s how I met Kenneth Tan, the owner of Citi M Hotel. During my first visit to his hotel in 2022, I advocated for internship and job opportunities for Youth. The hotel had already been a partner since 2019 through a previous volunteer, but I worked to relaunch and strengthen the collaboration.

Kenneth, a businessman living in Singapore and Indonesia, strongly believes in building a committed and hardworking workforce. He welcomed the opportunity to give underprivileged Youth a chance to prove themselves in the real world.

Years have passed since Vanni and Wulan started working at Citi M Hotel. After three months of probation, they successfully secured their positions. Kenneth, at first, had doubts about their ability to adapt, but he was amazed by their resilience and determination.

When I visited them recently, I had the chance to interview them about their journey.

Coming from an abusive family background wasn’t easy, they admitted. In the beginning, we struggled a lot. We were scared, insecure, and found it difficult to communicate with guests, especially foreigners. There were many times we cried because the pressure felt overwhelming. But nothing comes easy; over time, what once felt forced became second nature.

Vanni shared:

he coaching sessions, gallon project, and mobilization training really helped prepare me for the professional world. Hospitality is exhausting because it involves multiple roles, from assisting in the kitchen to helping guests find places to visit in Jakarta. But when I look back, the training at LP4Y gave me the stamina and confidence to speak with foreigners. I’m grateful for the experience, and I hope more Youth will get the same opportunities.

During my visit, I saw how confident and professional they had become, polite, quick on their feet, and much more talkative than before. What touched me the most was their unbreakable commitment to their dreams.

They had not only secured stable jobs but were also saving money, funding their younger siblings’ education, supporting their mothers by opening small businesses, and even renovating their family homes. They proudly showed me the jewelry they had purchased, symbols of financial independence.

For the first time in my life, I’m earning my own money, Coach. I can buy gold, help my family,one of them shared.

Their journey reminded me of the challenges of mobilization in the past. We must travel by public transport or angkot, searching for vulnerable young women in high-risk areas, trying to convince them that change is possible.

God is always good. No matter where you come from, no matter how poor or broken your family may be, if you have the will to change and the courage to seek new opportunities, the right path will always reveal itself.

This experience reaffirmed my belief that we can break the cycle of poverty. All it takes is trust in people’s potential and the willingness to provide them with the space to grow.