“Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” These words from the Letter of James aptly reflect the life journey of the late Pandji Wisaksana.
For this renowned Indonesian philanthropist—a humble and generous Catholic—gratitude to God was never limited to words.
As he often told LiCAS News during his lifetime, true gratitude must be expressed through concrete actions that benefit as many people as possible, without exception.
Throughout his life, Pandji Wisaksana played a significant role in numerous charitable initiatives. Together with the then-Archbishop of Jakarta, Bishop Leo Soekoto, SJ, he helped design the educational framework for Wacana Bakti Minor Seminary and Gonzaga Senior High School, which later became Kolese Gonzaga, officially established on July 17, 1987.
He also provided scholarships to thousands of university students, both in Indonesia and abroad, while contributing generously to the construction of ATMI (Technic Academy of Industrial Engineering) in Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java, and to the renovation of St. Carolus Hospital in Central Jakarta.
More importantly, inspired by his father’s experience of losing his eyesight after years of working in the tin mines of Bangka Island, Pandji Wisaksana devoted much of his life to promoting eye health. His deep concern eventually gave birth to the MataHati Movement, established in collaboration with Kompas Gramedia Group (KKG), the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (PERDAMI), Jakarta Eye Center (JEC), and St. Carolus Hospital in Jakarta, providing free cataract surgeries throughout Indonesia.
Latest Charity Programs in Timor and Bogor
Pandji Wisaksana passed away on Feb. 24, 2022. Yet his commitment to serving others by preserving the gift of sight continues to inspire the MataHati Movement.
That same spirit lives on through the “1,010 Free Cataract Surgeries” program, organized by the MataHati Eye Health Movement in collaboration with the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (PERDAMI), with support from the Lions Indonesia Foundation and Lions Clubs.
The program officially commenced with a kickoff event on June 8, 2026, at the Lions Indonesia Community Service Center (PPLMI) in Jakarta under the theme “A Legacy of Love That Lives On.”
According to Pandji Wisaksana’s family, the greatest tribute to his memory is not a ceremonial celebration but the continuation of the humanitarian work to which he devoted himself for decades.
The program continued on June 27, 2026, marking what would have been Pandji Wisaksana’s 101st birthday, with free cataract surgeries beginning at Hermina Hospital Bogor City in West Java. His birthday was commemorated not with festivities but by restoring sight and hope to those in need.
Earlier that month, similar services had also been carried out at a hospital in the remote interior of Timor Island in East Nusa Tenggara province.
Seeing with the Eyes, Serving with the Heart
Pandji Wisaksana’s concern for eye health was deeply rooted in his family’s own experiences.
His father became blind after spending years working in Bangka Island’s tin mines. Yet despite his disability, he never lost his determination. He remained independent, became a successful entrepreneur, and faithfully supported his family.
This experience shaped Pandji Wisaksana’s conviction that every human being possesses inherent dignity deserving of respect. He understood that, for many people, losing their eyesight also means losing opportunities to work, study, support their families, and live independently.
Therefore, when God entrusted him with blessings, resources, and opportunities, he chose to dedicate part of those gifts to improving eye health as a form of service to humanity.
Cataracts Remain a Major Challenge
Programs such as those organized by the MataHati Movement address one of Indonesia’s most pressing public health needs.
Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in Indonesia, accounting for an estimated 70 to 80 percent of blindness cases that are treatable through surgery.
Approximately 250,000 new cataract cases emerge each year, while Indonesia’s annual surgical capacity is estimated at only 180,000 procedures. As a result, many patients continue to face long waiting periods before receiving treatment.
Every cataract surgery is therefore far more than a medical procedure. It enables someone to once again see the faces of their spouse, children, and grandchildren; return to work and earn a living; read the Holy Scriptures; participate in the Eucharist; and regain an independent life.
A Legacy That Continues to Grow
The 1,010 Free Cataract Surgeries Program forms part of a broader nationwide initiative that will gradually expand to various regions, including Sambas, Pontianak, Pangkalpinang, Tanjungpandan, East Belitung, East Halmahera, Padang, Batam, Muara Bungo, Gorontalo, and Jakarta.
The number 1,010 was chosen to commemorate the 101st anniversary of Pandji Wisaksana’s birth. Yet for the MataHati Movement, the figure represents far more than symbolism.
As Stephen Pandji, the fourth son of the late Pandji Wisaksana, explained, every cataract operation gives someone the opportunity to regain a better quality of life.
“The greatest legacy is not what we possess, but the good we leave behind for others.”
These words perfectly summarize Pandji Wisaksana’s philosophy of life and continue to inspire the MataHati Movement today.
Stephen Pandji now carries forward his father’s humanitarian mission through both the MataHati Movement and the Lions Club.
Bringing Love into Action
Within the Catholic tradition, charity is always expressed through service to those in need. Pope Francis repeatedly reminded the Church that it is called to become a “field hospital” that brings hope and heals the wounds of humanity.
That same spirit is reflected in the collaboration among the MataHati Movement, PERDAMI, the Lions Indonesia Foundation, Lions Clubs, hospitals, ophthalmologists, volunteers, and donors, all working together to provide free cataract surgeries for communities across Indonesia.
For some, cataract surgery may appear to be merely a routine medical procedure. But for those who regain the precious gift of sight, it is a life-changing blessing that transforms their future.
A legacy of love does not end when someone leaves this world. It lives on through people who continue to share, serve, and bring hope to others.
That is the enduring legacy left by the late Pandji Wisaksana for the people of Indonesia—especially cataract patients from low-income families. Through the MataHati Movement, that legacy continues to grow, illuminating countless lives—one pair of eyes at a time.
