Women's Empowerment to End Poverty

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/09/your-letters-empower-women-end-poverty.html

Mother's Day is a day which celebrates life, continuous giving and a stream of unconditional love. It is a day when we celebrate the tremendous value of Mother who has given us life and nurtured us to becoming the man or woman we are today. Most mothers have an undying and unconditional love for their children in good times and in bad times, never expected anything in return. Her traditional role, as the nurturer and caretaker has existed since the beginning of time. But as time clocks in, her role has evolved to include either the primary or co-breadwinners of their families.

As in the case with my Mum, she helped to support my father's meager income to finance their kids for college. Most mothers in my village have such role due to their poor economics background. Mostly, they are working at the nearby garment factories and the tofu home industries or any other unskilled labors with only minimum basic salary. Limited education due to financial constraints denied them to land in jobs with better payment. Their husband suffer the same fate of registering into menial jobs only to live hand to mouth. Their economic advancement is having snail like pace if anything.

Impoverishment thus results in their younger generation to receive inadequate education as the cost of getting good education keeps skyrocketing. The poor could not afford to go for college due to its growing commercialization. Consequently, these younger generation go on to repeat the same cycle as their parents did. They could only finish their high school. With such qualification, the only option available is working as with their parents in factories with minimum pay, and the vicious cycle is repeated.

Mostly, they are women that dominate the lowest skilled jobs, working in precarious, insecure, and exploited jobs, such as domestic helpers particularly migrant workers or in the manufacturing industries (mostly garment, textile and electronics).These women are already doing it all — working hard, providing, parenting, and care-giving. Tragically, their families can’t prosper, and that’s weighing the Indonesian economy down.

When women are poor, their rights are in grave danger. They would face obstacles that may be extraordinarily difficult to overcome. This results in deprivation in their own lives and losses for the broader society and economy, as women's productivity is well known as one of the greatest generators of economic dynamism.

Statistics shows that women make up half of the world's population and yet represent a staggering 70% of the world's poor. For the millions of women living in poverty, their lives are a litany of injustice, discrimination and obstacles that get in the way of achieving their basic needs of good health, safe childbirth, education and employment. This includes Indonesia in which regional gender biased bylaws are targeting women, giving a silent stamp for women as less worthy than men. Thus, it worsens the condition of women in general and in return poverty remains in their circle. The sequence of discrimination that a woman may suffer during her entire life is unacceptable but it takes place almost all around the world.

For this reason, on Mother's Day, we have to reflect on this vital issue that direly affects women' life. We have to be aware that we live in a world in which women living in poverty face gross inequalities and injustice from birth to death from poor education to vulnerable and low pay employment. Therefore, women's empowerment is imperative, specifically for housewives so that they become economically independent to end women’s poverty and providing better economic opportunities.

The best policy solutions to address women’s poverty must combine a range of decent employment opportunities with a network of social services that support healthy families, such as quality health care, child care, and housing support. It is equally vital as well to stop gender biased regional bylaws which castrate women's basic rights and liberties. Government should also actively engage to elevate the condition of women by providing regulations which support women empowerment such as by supporting banking laws which provide greater access for women to start their independent business as in Grameen Bank Program in Bangladesh that makes small loans to the impoverished without requiring collateral.

Ode to my Dad

All of us will experience loss during the course of our lives, be it someone dear to you in your family circle or friends. It is the death of a parent, however, that comes with an especially keen edge that makes a ragged cut. And that cut is slow to heal.

I lost my Dad recently – a little more than a week ago – and it was a hard shot to take. My Dad had suffered a stroke a year before and he became ill for some time. Despite our physician's verdict that he would be unable to walk again and be confined to bed only, he beat the odds. He walked again although it was not like the way he used to be. His memory thank God functioned well after his brain hemorrhage. It was only his physical strength and emotion that suffered a damage.

Each week afterward he seemed to get better in spite of some minor relapses. He could even carry my 11 months old nephew at his back. When he prayed at our little musholla (praying place smaller than mosque), this little boy would climb at his back and tucked at his hair. He would then gently lift him up and continued the ritual while watching over this little lad. So, I was not prepared of what was coming.

I know he would be gone someday as he aged. Afterall, death is the destination we all share. It is the one thing we can be certain about in life. Yet, I still cling to the belief that we would still have more years to spend. And this prolonged period was sufficient until I relocated to my hometown. I was wrong. Death is indeed only a whisper away.

The knowledge of the inevitable end provided no armor against the wound of his loss. I was still at my home in Jakarta to get ready to fly to Solo when my dad passed away. The last phone call I made to him lasted only a few seconds as he groaned in terrible pain. I tried to talk to him although he was well beyond hearing anything I had to say at that point. Then the phone went dead. Those last few moments, as important as they were, were not vital to the heart of our relationship. I’d said everything I really needed my Dad to know long before the day of his death, and there was nothing left to do but love him as he died.

However, I should have come home sooner. A pang of guilt washed over me.
The loss felt deeper when our relatives left the house after the funeral. This deep regret keeps tucking at the strings of my heart. How could I sleep well on the night he suffered the most painful agony; when the Angel of Death came uninvited to his bed? My tears could not ease this weight on my chest.

I sat down and started to write a couple of times, but always failed halfway through the first line. How was I going to tell the world how I felt about my Dad? It is as simple and beautiful as wild flowers on the mountain, yet words seem fail to capture its complicated simplicity. I wondered as I stared, first at my blank screen, then at my blank piece of paper, then again at the cruelly blinking cursor. How was I possibly going to describe the love I had for him, and the way his loss affected me and my family. I wracked my brain for several days to pour my heartfelt sorrow in a piece of paper. I tried to employ my craft to honor my Dad when I felt his loss most keenly. He had been such a big part of my development as a person that it broke my heart to think I might fall short and screw up his memory.

My dad had such a big personality. And I didn't think writing his best resume on a piece of paper would do him justice. I know that he had lived his life at the fullest, knowing that his presence had touched the lives of the people he met and those around him. I know that even his 'enemies' had fears for his stern conviction of the truth and justice. I know as well that his less unfortunate neighbors and friends respect him out of his affectionate heart. He can be as gentle as summer breeze and as fierce as the thundering winter wind. And he will be sorely missed either by friends and foes.

At the end, it is with a smile I bid farewell to my Dad before leaving for Jakarta, knowing that he was loved by all. As the sweet fragrant of roses' petals and jasmine on his fresh grave floated in the air, I know that he is now at peace in the realm of angels.

Education is Every Children's Rights

http://www.nobelprize.org/…/…/2014/yousafzai-lecture_en.html

"Dear sisters and brothers, the so-called world of adults may understand it, but we children don't. Why is it that countries which we call strong" are so powerful in creating wars but are so weak in bringing peace? Why is it that giving guns is so easy but giving books is so hard? Why is it, why is it that making tanks is so easy, but building schools is so hard?"

As Malala Yousafzai delivered her Noble Lecture live on my TV Screen, I listened at all ears. As the youngest noble laureate in all history, she gave a powerful speech arresting in its utter straightforwardness. It was simple, yet so powerful. It moved my heart. I am so glad me to see her accepting the Nobel Peace Prize with Kailash Satyarthi, the Indian children’s rights advocate. But it also brings pain to learn that many children especially girls could not enjoy education. It is even sadder to know that they are deprived of such basic privilege mostly due to social taboo and misguided religious interpretations.

Sadly, but truly, women and girls have been victims of ruthless power struggles for centuries in all societies and cultures around the world. Throughout history, many pious individuals have pondered their relationship with God only to end up with a program of hatred, murder, misogyny, bigotry or child abuse. The world seems to conspire in exercising the patriarchy in different forms such as the denial to education, unequal salaries compared to men in workplaces, forced marriages and prostitution, among many others.

It is exasperating to continue hearing news on how group of individuals or a bunch of the so called 'religious clerics' use religion to rob girls of education, saying it is forbidden and deemed as seed of evils! Gee, I can’t help thinking what a stupid shallow baseless argument they draw on. Are they playing God? Worse, are they idiotically personifying themselves above God and the Prophet? It is so maddening. Reasoning with them is just like hitting a concrete wall.

As if history repeated all over again, just days after we rejoiced in Malala’s speech and tried to work the dream alive, the world is shocked by the deliberate killing of innocent people at an army-run school in Peshawar by Pakistani Taliban militants, killing 141 people, 132 of them children. On that fateful day, many Malala died when they were at school. In a place where knowledge should have flourished, these kids were brutally exposed to violence, vengeance and horror. The gory details as recalled by the survivors made our stomach to churn and our core rocked with unspeakable rage. The grotesque massacre was a message to discourage Malala and her supporters in advocating education for women or children.

What madness drove these beasts to unleash their senseless brutal attack to the innocents? Militants have perpetrated extreme violent acts in the name of religion – whether it be Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism or another faith throughout history. This has emphasized that terrorism cannot and should not associated with any religion, nationality or civilization. We must thus avoid the temptation to be simplistic that all religions are the source of the problem.

So to speak, these are not the act of group of religious people. This is an act of Godless people. Violence is their faith. Dead and blood are their rituals. Hatred is their burning fuel for existence. To spread fear and terror is their sole goal. And they will not stop until their objective is achieved.

This abominable slaughter could only have come from the hands of evil, deploying those who have given themselves over to wickedness, to commit this dreadful thing. No logic reason can justify what was done except that these militants have again shown their lust for innocent blood and their disdain for a peaceful life. They intimidate, terrorize and kill Muslims, Christians, and other faiths alike and spread wanton destruction. They bow to nothing but their own ego.

Thus, the people all around the world, regardless of race, color or religion must stand arm in arm to tackle this terrorist onslaught. Only if we unite, will this terrorist machine and those behind it be defeated. We have to stand firm to acknowledge that no one has the right to deny a boy or a girl their education. We have to uphold the justice that without education, one will face limited prospects, have decreased family income and reduced health. Lack of education will also put women and girls of trafficking and exploitation and limits the economic advancement of the entire countries.

We also have to unite to say NO to violence in resolving any conflict. We have to promote peace and love as the antidote of war and hatred.

In view of this, we must learn to be good to each other, be tolerant and respectful to strive for a vision of harmony. Our race should outgrow the barbarism of ignorant beasts in a world where growing intolerance carries a forbidden fruit that might open the Pandora’s box.

Cutting Women's Work Hour: The Stepford Wives Ideal

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/12/17/your-letters-cutting-against-grain.html

The idea of cutting working hours for women shorter than their male counterparts seems a rash thoughtless idea. To think that the reason behind the careless statement by VP Jusuf Kalla is to offer an opportunity for women to care more for their children and family as their traditional role is even irksome. Noble it might be, yet it amplifies the mainstream idea that the duty to look after the kids and family is reserved only for mothers and fathers as a happy go lucky party. It’s like watching “The Stepford Wives” movie in which the men take the role of traditional wife very seriously. Men need to realize women are not something they can mold into their perfect housewife.

 As a woman myself, I beg to disagree with the idea. The policy might be seen as a strategy to increase women’ productivity as employers often cite child-care issues as causing more problems than any other family-related issue in workplace which increases in absenteeism and tardiness. Accordingly, it seems logical to provide women a way to allocate more time with their family. However, I do not think such policy can address the problem properly; instead it might escalate the problem. Worse, it will be burdensome for women instead. My opinion stems from three basic reasons.

First, we live unfortunately in a society where both parents have no choice but to work full time in order to make ends meet. If the responsibility to raise a child properly lies in both parents, a father and a mother, then the question is why men are not entitled the same right to care for their kid? In view of this, it is rational only to provide both parents as much rights and privilege related to family affairs. A father also needs to spend quality time with his family as much as a mother. Both parents share this responsibility. Cutting work hours for women will be therefore deemed discriminatory against sexes. Already, companies provide menstrual and maternity leave for their female workers. Other than that, men and women are equal at work; they have the same rights and responsibility.

Second, if implemented it is likely companies might be reluctant to hire women since they are conditioned to think that women are less productive than men. While women are increasingly aware to demand equal treatment with their male co workers in terms of promotion, salary and other benefits, on the other of side argument this policy offers 'a special treatment' to women which make the whole affair seem to contradict each other. It is also worthy to note that job transfer or rotation to other region for married women face many difficulties which might suggest why companies hire less and less women eventually.

The ratio of male to female employees can be used as evidence to capture the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities that shows most companies still tend to hire males over females. For example, in the company I work in, its H & R recruitment policy tend to maintain a male to-female ratio of 60-40. Out of this figure, 95 percent of its leaders are males. The male-female figures are remarkably similar in big companies globally such as Apple, Google, Twitter and Yahoo. Apple’s workforce consists of 70 percent men and 30 percent females similar with Google. Twitter reports that 72 percent of its leaders are male and Yahoo says that 77 percent of its leaders are male.

Third, this effort to protect women will also have a convenient effect of reducing their overall earnings and providing another justification for occupational sex segregation by excluding women from some of the better paying jobs or defining their job differently and as less valuable within the same factory walls. Already Indonesia experienced a rapid development of export industries since the 1970s which has significantly increased women’s participation in the industrial work force, concentrated in manufacturing, agriculture, trades and service and make up 70-80% of textile and garment industry. Sadly, most are paid less and experience poor working conditions despite the Law that guarantee their welfare. Consequently, if this policy is ever implemented, employers will find ways to put more pressures on their female workers by cutting their income as every hour means every penny for them.

Having said so, I personally think resorting to cutting work hour for women to increase productivity and family happiness is not the best option. There are many alternatives to choose to create a work life balance for employees be it for male or female.

In this respect, to guarantee that parents can care for their kids, the government has an important role to play in creating the right policy framework for improving women’s access and opportunities as well as promote work life balance. It is also imperative for companies to create workplace where the best talent can flourish, male or female, and work life balance can be achieved. Together they should be able to support policies which guarantee that various lifestyle support systems are in place for employees to promote better balance between their work and private lives.

Companies should be encouraged to have onsite child care facilities to enable parents to stay close to their kids while they are at work. It reduces the cost and psychological constraints by commuting miles away from their kids in a city where the nightmarish traffic jam is the bane of motorists such as Jakarta. Flexitime policy could also be adopted to provide an alternative for parents to realign their time in balancing their child care affairs and work without sacrificing their work hours.  Child care and flexitime benefit the employers who sponsor it by improving employee morale, reducing turnover and absenteeism, and increasing productivity

In addition, companies should also support a healthy work-life balance programs such as setting times to turn off all lighting at the head office when the work hours end, setting overtime work reduction targets, promoting 5 minute-early leave times and programs for employees to finish their work early, including leaving office on time. Now that there is a slowly growing corporate understanding that employees respond better to greater control over when they clock in and out and what matters is the outcome, not the hours a task takes. That, plus a combination of technology and the growth of the knowledge economy, is initiating even greater change. Microsoft, for instance, under the slogan "Any time any where", allows working from home while Unilever advocates "agile working". All these policies aim to create a work life balance that guarantees not only personal welfare but also happiness.

Obviously, there are many alternative ways to increase workers productivity and happiness, instead of putting in a place another discriminatory policy. Countries and companies can be competitive only if they develop, attract and retain the best talent, both male and female Let’s start with happier and more productive employees, and not with creating perfect beautiful caring housewives as in Stepford Wives.

Baduy Tribe Tour-8 December 2014

Have you ever imagined what your life would be to have your own self-sustain daily needs to rely on? From the clothes you wear and food you consume to the roofs upon your head? Wear the same clothes with the same color daily or walk around the forest barefoot. Neither traditional market nor supermalls to buy products you need! What’s more, would you survive to live in a world without electricity and technology?

Well, I think I know the answer. Perhaps, we all can survive for a day or two. But I bet, we will not last longer than a week without the urge to kill the boredom. Complaints and swearing will follow.

Yesterday, I came back from Baduy Tribe Tour that gives me a glimpse of the isolated live of the ancient Sundanese tribe. This reclusive tribal group has lived a relatively undisturbed, traditional lifestyle in a closed society for more than 400 years until the recent encroachment of economic and social pressures from the outside world. They avoid the advancement of globalization, modern technology and other influences of the outside world, including environmental degradation.

The 69 people in our group boarded on Rangkas Jaya Train at 8.30 a.m to Rangkas Bitung from Tanah Abang train station. It is the fastest way to reach the community which live in an isolated area of mountainous rainforest only 100 kilometers southwest of Jakarta, in the Kendeng Mountains, Ciboleger Village, Lebak Regency in Banten Province. After two hours of ride, we arrived at Rangkas Bitung in which five minivans were at disposal to transport us to Cibolenger, the starting point to reach the Baduy tribe. For almost two hours, the minivans drove through bumpy dusty roads. Just like its twin sister, Serang, Lebak area has relatively poor roads. There were some renovations here and there which made the traffic stopped into a standstill.

At 1 p.m, we have reached Cibolenger. After taking an hour break for lunch and pray, we continued the journey on foot. The organizer has assigned several people from Baduy Dalam tribe, mostly children aged 11 to 23, to assist and guide us along the treacherous road. It is imperative to employ people from this tribe when we wanted to visit the Baduy Dalam tribe.

Generally, the Baduy tribe lives in two separate clans, the Inner Baduy (Baduy Dalam) and the Outer Baduy (Baduy Luar). Baduy Dalam are the strictest adherents to Baduy spiritual belief, the centre point of culture and religious following and the focus of rituals and sacred sites within the Baduy territory. Symbolically, they wear only white and black traditional clothing, barefooted and denies outside influences such as technology. Meanwhile, Baduy Luar members are characteristically dressed in black or dark blue or just simple dress like us. They are less resistant to accept the modern influence into their daily lives. to outside world. They serve as the buffer zone between to stop visitors from entering the scared circle of Baduy Dalam.

Local visitor can stay overnight at Baduy Dalam while foreign tourists are prohibited form staying there because it is forbidden by its custom. They are only allowed to stay at the Baduy Luar 

At 2 p.m, we started the arduous journey to taste the simple life at Baduy. The distance from Ciboleger to the Baduy Luar is only half a kilometer while to reach the Baduy Dalam requires walking as far as 12 kilometers up and down a trail of an adjacent ravine at times.

Initially, we moved along small traditional shops of Baduy Luar which displayed some tribal souvenirs, homemade honey and traditional hand-woven cloths. Some young women were at work to weave the colorful fabrics. Here and there, I could steal a glimpse of modern influence seeping into this place either by academicians, government or private enterprises in the so called corporate social responsibilities. A large welcome display bearing the name of one the biggest state owned bank greeted our eyes before entering.

The first hour hike up toward Gajeboh Village, which is one of the main villages where the people of the Baduy Luar live, was quite easy and fun under a drizzle. I did not have to wear my raincoat as I loved rain. It’s like playing under the rain. It’s interesting to observe the simple live around. The Baduy houses are uniformly simple, constructed only of natural materials, bamboo and palm thatching, without windows, and devoid of any furniture and furnishings. Small children played in front of the house, smiling wide and shy altogether. Every time, I approached them, they would ran and hide away. When I asked them question, they would timidly smile only and hide again. Some had some car toys to play with which was the sign that the tribe accepted the outside world influence. I was lucky to steal some shots of them. 

Leaving the Baduy Luar area, the trekking path was getting trickery due to the rain. It was hard enough to climb uphill, downhill and up again without a downpour. And with the pouring rain, the road became extremely muddy and slippery. Some from my group slipped and fell. Those who wore not trekking sandals had to say goodbye to their shoes and continued the trip barefoot. It was a struggle. Every muscle in your body worked! Yet, it was fun.

In some spots, we had to cross four or five traditional bridges made of bamboo. We had to carefully step on the bridge, lest we tripped and fell to the flowing river below. It made a creaking sound which made us jumpy and shaky. While trekking, we were surrounded by an abundance of beautiful scenery, such as natural green, the simple houses of Baduy tribe, the traditional barns, the coffee and clove trees. It’s so refreshing to inhale the smell of forest leaves and soil under the rain while listening to the sounds of the wild insects chirping. The surreal atmosphere was so soothing to the mind. The natural symphony was so relieving, a cure to the aching body from the long onerous trekking.

Photos can be taken at the Outher Baduy area but upon entering Inner Baduy village, taking photos of any kind are forbidden. The mystical atmosphere surrounding the village is very present here, so taking care and heeding these customs care is well advised.

The Baduy Dalam consists of three villages, Cibeo, Cikartawana and Cikeusik, each of which has a `Puun` or influential king or tribal chief. The Puun from Cikeusik are the most highly respected. The Puun spreads the teachings of their ancestors in preserving their traditions, ways of life and in caring for nature as the source of life. The visitors are mostly welcomed in Cibeo village.

After long 4 hours trekking, we arrived at the Cibeo Village. I was lucky to reach the site just before sunset so we could still clearly see our path. Some had to struggle under the dark. Our host welcomed us with their hospitality which was quite relieving. Unbearable with our sticky sweat and soil, my new friend and I, headed for the river with our flashlight. We thought we could soak our body in the deep clear crystal water, but to our disappointment, the river was so shallow. The deepest only reached to our calves. It was an open river and no building whatsoever to change clothes. Desperate, we relied on the dark to disguise our body, and just lied flat on the river bed for a minute or two. It seemed taking a bath in this river required only a dip into the river where the water was clean, cool and refreshing. It was forbidden to use soap or toothpaste while taking bath. The night has disguised us well and we were thankful for it.

This small stream is apparently the source of activity for this tribe. They do their laundry, washing, bathing and other toiletries activities in here. They also use this water as their source of cooking. In the morning, women clad in white and black, washed their dishes and clothes. Some lined up for toiletries. I could see they bring big frying pan and other kitchen utensils. Our host also had a European knife to peel off an apple. I guess bit by bit they started to accept using modern appliances.

There was no electricity in the house. The room was lit by coconut oil fuel as fire lamp and candles. Our host cooked the noodles, canned sardines and rice we had brought in their traditional stove lit by forest woods. The room was only divided by a kitchen and the front hall we slept in. There was no furniture whatsoever. All houses had the same structure so it was quite difficulty to differentiate them. I got astray several times from the river.

Several Baduy Traders stopped by at the house to offer us Baduy souvenirs, honey, clothes and mineral waters and other soft drinks. Basically, we did not have to step out of the house to get any items we wanted. It apparently the Baduy people has taken the benefits of the flourishing tourism business to help them finance their daily needs. As their numbers multiplied each generation, relying on the natural resources seem unable to cope up with the growing mouths to feed. They need to import their rice and other main necessities from Baduy Luar or Ciboleger.

I asked the guide on their produce specifically on rice, he said that Baduy people could only harvest paddy once a year. They grow a specific paddy variety which suit to their environment that relies heavily on the rain for irrigation. They store their paddy in the barn and it is forbidden to sell it. They only consume it for special feasts or occasion while for daily needs, they buy the rice from outside. 

Asked on where they keep their money if they have profits from selling their produce and tourism, he said they gave the money for safekeeping to the people of Baduy Luar they trusted. This agent functioned as a bank in which the depositors could withdraw the money anytime and the agent could invest the money for profit. He said Baduy Dalam is prohibited to save money in the bank.

Another interesting things I learn from the guide is that they do not know the term of dating to look for their future spouse. Their marriage is arranged at birth. The children do not attend school. Their parents and seniors are the responsible parties to teach them how to write and read. Formal education is against their traditional customs and the reject the government proposals for building educational facilities in their villages. As a result, only few Baduys are able to read and write. They do not play like us. They come with their parents to work at the farm. They play traditional music only.

When reaching adults, the men can venture outside territory of the Baduy Tribe as far as Jakarta. They still have to wear their skirt (trousers are prohibited), headbands and carry their machete and white cloth bag. Yet, they are strictly forbidden to take any means of transport. They have to reach Jakarta by foot. They reach the city after two days journey and stay at their friends’ home for more than 2 weeks in a visit. One guide disclosed to us that in here, they can watch TV, listen to music, taking a stroll in the malls and watch cinemas. Asked how they inform their friends that they would visit them, he told us that they borrowed the phone from their friend at Baduy Luar. Asked the reason why they visit the city, he said going to city was a sort of recreation for him.

Despite the modern city’s life, he told us he loved his village and tribe. It was his home. It was his vein of living.

I could see the great difference between our guides who have come to Jakarta dozens of times to those who haven’t ventured outside their land. Kang Sarta is full of self confidence, more elaborate in speaking and knowledgeable to some extent. His colleague who have ventured outside even spoke some English words with full of confidence. He read and write well, keeping a small diary containing phone numbers and addresses of his friends. While Kang Herman, who has yet to initiate his journey to the other world look shy, quite and hard to communicate. He often withdrew himself from a conversation in a timid style.

Last but not least, the role of women in this tribe seem so limited in the kitchen, farm and caring for the children. I did not see any women engaging in lively conversation with the visitors. Even, our host mostly watched us from a distance, speaking when we address her. It’s sad but it’s a case in most traditional tribes in other region.

All and all, it is worth living a day in this secluded village which reject modernization. There are many local wisdoms we all can learn from them. One of them is how to live in harmony with Mother Nature. It is imperative to respect nature as we cannot survive without its generous gift of abundance resources.

Timeless Memory: The Rain in Childhood Memories

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/12/31/your-letters-childhood-memories-rainy-days.html

It’s rainy season, ladies and gentlemen! Keep your raincoat and umbrella ready! Be prepared to get wet! And brace yourselves for the worst enemy, the traffic jam!

Yet, the funny thing is the smell of rain always brings back my timeless blissful childhood memories. It brings me to my old days spent in the countryside; lie flat on the green grass under the blue skies, facing the lashing rain. After the rain, the small white and pink wild flowers just shine in the pure sun, the brightest rainbow ever decorate the bluish skies, and the smell of fresh ground and grass waft through the air. It’s so great to be so carefree, having an unfettered life with care a damn attitude.

Rainy days help to bring back the love, fun and joy of childhood memories. The melodic rhythm of raindrops pattering on the roof creates the full symphony overhead and dream of far off adventures. My childhood friends and I would dart out of the doors on a rainy day when our mothers weren’t paying attention. We jumped in the puddles, splashing water. Getting soaked, we ran along the edges of the slushy paddy fields, seeking out frogs and eels. Then, we hunted for fallen mangoes and rambutan or jack-fruit under the downpours, gorging at them when we were lucky to find any.

Our greatest joy came when the rain flooded the small river in our village. Its water became light brown like chocolate milk. The current got wilder which we loved so much. We swam across the flooding river in groups, testing our gut. The strong current often carried us down the stream and we had to hug some rocks as our saviors. We cheered like wild Amazons when each of us succeeded to swim across the other side. We were just like fearless warriors!

Oh, can we bring back the joy that we got from such silly things? It seems has been lost decades ago. Gone are those days when we could find wildlife in the rain.

Now, in the concrete jungle of Jakarta, the rain gives us an excuse to curl up on the couch with a good book with a sip of hot tea or coffee on the weekend. Or just listening to the melodic rhythm of it drumming on the roof. However, during workdays, venturing outside after a storm and taking in a long draw of damp air, an earthiness with hints of dust and smoke seems to linger in the air. Then, there have been several powerful storms with lightning and thunder, menacing clouds and a great quantity of water that almost flooded the streets of the city, disrupting the train and paralyzed the traffic. Rainy days become constant nightmare to this city dwellers.

Despite these odds, I still have this odd tingling feeling about the rain. I miss playing in it. I miss going out and just getting wet to be wet and getting muddy under the guise of having fun. So, I steal times just to have walk under the drizzle, feeling the droplets splash on my face. Closing my eyes for seconds, I could see flashbacks of my childhood timeless memory in the rain.  

My Mum said that rain is God’s tears to wash away the bad things from the earth. It does indeed wash away the ugly part of this city, the clogging garbage, the choking haze and so forth. It also brings life by helping the plants and grasses to re-grow. After all, we are all just humble travelers in this world, fragile and hopeful. Yet, we also are strong and tenacious as water making its way through dangerous cliffs to reach its final destination.

On Teachers' Day

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/11/28/your-letters-happy-teachers-day.html

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires (William Arthur Ward)

On the National Teachers' day, my mind flew back to the old memories during school. I have conviction these memories of teachers persist, continuing to influence my live years later. The sweet and bitter memories are indeed indelible, sealing the lifelong influence that a teacher can have.

I remember my exceptional English teacher in the junior high school by heart. I was greatly affected by his love of the subject and his teaching talent. English was always hard for me. I didn't understand things the first time. It was worsened by my shyness. Combined, they put me into a torture chamber. Then, this particular teacher went out of his way throughout the year to create a fun way of learning and touch our hearts. The way he humored the class with his eccentric English accent along with the creative methods he labored, have unlocked  the imagination and energy of the class. 

Somehow, he sensed that I was extremely shy. I was simply a drop of water in the vast ocean. Yet, he didn't scold or punish me for my drawbacks. Instead, he encouraged me to keep on going and assured me it's OK to err. He said every great person always learn from their mistakes. In measured steps and with great skill he asked more and more of me in terms of participating in discussions. Unlike other teachers who didn't even know I existed, he knew me by name and heart.  He believed in me and gently pushed me to face what I found hardest to do -- speak up my mind in the public arena. I will never forget him. He nurtured my love for the subject and for writing. He inspired me to do things I was afraid of to do. He helped me to build my self esteem and identify my strenght.

In contrast, I also recall one particular Math teacher in the same school.  Math was my worst enemy and nightmare. I don't remember his name, but he had a way of making me feel like a second class citizen because I was a slow learner in this subject. It was a daily battle. I was not lazy but numbers was sort of my Achilles'' heel. Instead of helping me to find effective way to master the subject, he had made me look like a fool. It was still as vivid as lava when he deliberately drew a long white line across my face in front of the class with his favorite chalk on the day I failed to sum up and divide numbers as he instructed. It was humiliating and left a scar on my fragile heart. Some students suffered the same fate. We disliked him greatly. His class sent a wave of terror through me. To this day, the dreadful memory etched on mind like an annoying parasite

These two opposite experiences make me strongly believe that teaching by heart and love is much more effective than by fear and terror. Inspiring ways of learning unbolt the gate of my mind, to soar high and free. It helps me to overcome fears and doubts. It paid off when I nailed the subject. While demeaning ways of learning seal the gate to the land of opportunity. It forever shields me away from moving forward due to constant fear and shame. It became my silent bane. Both consequently have great influence on the way I choose my path the years afterwards.

Hence, it is undeniable that teachers hold in their hands the Holy Grail for the future of our nation. The children they teach are the future generation who will take the leadership estafet from their forefathers. They are the critical guardians of the intellectual life as well as the character of the nation.

In this sense, teachers are the foundation upon which a child's character is built. School is the closest laboratory of character building to home because a child spends more time in school rather than at home. Therefore, teachers have great responsibility to educate, to advise, to counsel and to nurture their students in realizing their full potential, shaping their character altogether. They should give their students the tools to become authors of their own life story and builders of a better world. It is not an exaggeration then to say that teachers are the catalyst for the emergence of a revolutionary ideal through knowledge and education.

Having said so, it is significantly important for teachers to build the integrity and character of the children by choosing to do the right thing. It is a case of living by example, providing a good role model. Teachers become the gravity of social values, ethics and a set of beliefs their students look up to. Effective teachers unlock the energies, imaginations, and, most of all, the minds of their students. To be such an ideal, they have to be highly passionate and obsessive about teaching just like a painter is about painting or an artist is about art. They way they shape and mould their students will leave lasting imprints on their students. Great teachers help their pupils to prepare in their quest in life, and the opposite thrust them into a dark alley of mistrust and doubt.

It is also worthy to note that teachers have the role of more than just to tell, explain or demonstrate. In today's technological savvy, students can get those stuffs from the internet. Every bit of information and knowledge are stored online, and anyone can have access to this massive knowledge repository by one simple click on their desktop. One thing this virtual world lack is the power to inspire. This is the sole authority of human to do so. This is the privilege of a teacher to inspire their students to be better and contribute to help building a better world.

I personally believe that great teachers should become role models and idols for students. Apart from educating students on subjects by touching the students' minds, they have noble duty to also touch their spirits -- the way they see and feel about themselves for the rest of their lives. Such influence is truly a rare privilege that should be prized and nurtured.

So, Happy Teachers Day! We thank all the great teachers out there. We love you!

Bring the Peaceful Islam to the Fore

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/11/12/your-letters-showcasing-ri-s-islam-int-l-event.html

“Ya nabi salam ‘alaika, ya rasul salam ‘alaika, ya habib salam ‘alaika, shalawatullah alaika.” (O Allah! Bestow complete blessings and perfect peace on Sayyidina Muhammad )

Amid ocean of people clad in white, the enchanting voice of Habib Syech bin Abdul Qodir Assegaf grew louder along with the drumming of the humble musical instruments. His melodious voice, venerating his love to The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) successfully packed the traditional mawlid recitation rhythm that made it more beautiful and seductive to ears that hear.

As if under a spell, people started to sway back and forth and left and right to the accelerating rhythm of the hymns. A sense of brotherhood prevailed as their human delights clearly found its way through the peaceful melody that promotes traditional Sufi piety and opposes religious and political violence. Their faces beamed with joy and ecstasy. The recitation is acceptable in public ears in tones and rhythms, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, gender, age or background.

On the two main stages, the Vice President, the Governor of Bank Indonesia, The Governor of East Java, The Former Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Organization and dignitaries from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as well as World Bank and IMF bore witness as thousands of people solemnly chanted the mantra in unison. This incantation spoke of love and compassion. The Salawat (devotional prayers) is the manifestation of the ultimate call to love Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family and compassion for humanity. This is unerringly an antidote of fear, prejudice and hatred which have plagued the Muslim community.

This mass shalawat marked the grand opening of the OIC Central Bank Governors Meeting held in conjunction with the Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) in Surabaya, East Java, on Nov. 3-9. Despite attended by around thirty thousands of people, the humble feast went smoothly without any major incidents. People brought along little candle-like sticks in red and white color, a symbol of Indonesia's national flag and unity. They followed up closely the processions in an orderly manner. Minor incident occurred when out of the crowds, a green flashlight pointed matter of factly at the face of the Vice President when delivering his speech. The law enforcers immediately apprehended the culprit into custody.

All and all, the event was a success in showcasing another side of Islam in Indonesia. Participants from diverse countries were immersed in the joy and solemness of the auspicious event. Some hummed along while others were busy taking some pictures, immortalizing the moment. It was indeed a rare occasion to have ocean of masses in such jubilee.

This peaceful campaign of love and compassion defies any notion that Islam is filled by the nihilists who know only how to destroy and devastate. On contrary, the night’s show culminated that Islam is a peaceful religion based on the dignity of all human beings which was often hijacked by cowards whose actions are the cruelest insult of the religion. The shalawat sheds some lights that Islam brings peace and harmony instead of chaos.

In this spirit of brotherhood and peace, Bank Indonesia chose Surabaya as the venue for the first OIC Central Bank Governors Meeting held in Indonesia to have in-depth discussion about sharia-based economic development among OIC members, focusing on raising awareness regarding financial-deepening strategies incorporated with multinational initiatives in collecting zakat (alms) and increasing community participation in the industry. Having the highest number of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in Indonesia, Surabaya has the potential as a pilot project site in order to be named the center of sharia-based product development in Indonesia.

Also, Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia whose population mostly adheres to Islam. It is also the first birthplace of ‘Walisongo (the nine saints of Sufis in Java) whose role in the spread of Islam in Java has lasting effects throughout the island.  Known as the City of Heroes due to its historic role in galvanizing Indonesians the international support for independence, Surabaya has rich culture and historical heritage to attract visitors as well as home to huge market for syariah products.

Against these backdrops, it is no wonder Surabaya is considered the best place to be the pioneer city for flourishing syariah economic products campaign nationally and globally.

It is imperative to tap the potential revenue from Zakat which so far has not been managed in an improved and integrated system for financial deepening and thus improving people’s welfare. Statistics showed that in 2012, Indonesia had had potential revenue from zakat of Rp 217 billion (US$18 million), equal to 3.4% of the country’s Gross Development Product (GDP). Unfortunately, in reality it only managed to collect Rp 2.7 trillion.

Dr. Zamir Iqbal, Lead Investment Officer, World Bank who attended as discussant in the “Islamic Financial Sector Assessment Program (IFSAP): Implementation of Macroprudential Frameworks for Islamic Finance” expressed his satisfaction in joining the event as many beneficial discussion paved ways to the adoption of shariah economics. Further, he liked the city for its hospitality and the diverse arts found in the various souvenirs being sold.

It is also heartening to hear some participants said that the experience transported them to the presence of spiritual brotherhood and the beautiful face of Islam which is rarely exposed and seen.

Ghulam Muhammad Abbasi of Islamic State Bank of Pakistan said he flew home with “lots of excellent memories of Indonesia’s rich culture and hospitality”. Ammar Hiouani of Central Bank of Algeria, praised “”Indonesian people are the right Muslims.””

To bring the other Indonesia’s iconic cultural symbol to the fore, the OIC Central Bank Governors meeting was concluded by introducing the Karapan Sapi (Cow Race) of Madura and Reog Ponorogo dance to the dignitaries. These two cultural shows reflect the diversity of Indonesia’s 300 plus ethnic groups that have their own language, cuisine, traditional dance, arts shows and so forth. The rich cultural heritage is one of Indonesia’s true national riches in wait to be exposed and explored.

And I am truly blessed to be one among witnesses of such jubilant occasion.