It was 4 AM in Gambir train station in Jakarta. The usually-bustling transport hub was empty and quiet. There I was, standing alone, half-awake, waiting for two strangers to arrive.
Suddenly, a female voice with thick East Javanese accent called out to me, “Excuse me, are you mbak Saras?” I turned my head and yes, the women I’d been waiting for had finally arrived - Ibu Lilik and Ibu Lenny were in Jakarta - or the Big Durian as it is sometimes called (perhaps because of its smell, or perhaps because it is a city that some people love and some people hate, much like the durian fruit).
These lovely women are two of our ‘wonder women’ from Gayam district, Bojonegoro, East Java. They took an overnight train ride all the way to Jakarta to join me on a very important mission: to represent Kopernik at one of the biggest student-run conferences in Indonesia, the Asia Pacific Student Forum (APSF) 2015.
The excitement started as soon as they arrived, not just for them but also for me. It was their first time in Indonesia’s capital city, and I couldn’t wait to spend a couple of days with these women, introducing them to my hometown.
A GREAT BAKER AND A HUMBLE TEACHER
Exhausted from the long train ride, we drove straight to our hotel and checked-in. Much to Ibu Lilik’s and Ibu Lenny’s surprise, their hotel room was located up on the very top floor, 27 storeys up in the sky! It was their first time sleeping (or even being) in a building this high.
“I’m afraid to see the view from the window again, it’s so far up. But I have to capture this view!” said Ibu Lilik, after taking a photo of the view with her phone. Overcoming her fear of heights, I could tell she would never forget this moment.
We prepared and rehearsed for the conference in their room. I asked them to write down the things they would like to say, and have that paper as a ‘cheat sheet’. Feeling on top of the world (literally, being on the 27th floor), they were motivated to do their best in sharing their stories and representing Kopernik.
I also wanted to get to know Ibu Lilik and Ibu Lenny better - especially since we were going to present the Wonder Women program together. Chemistry is definitely important! So we spent the day becoming fast friends.
At one point during our practice session, Ibu Lilik brought out something from her bag and asked, “Do you want some of this?” It was a delicious-looking chiffon cake - which was just as tasty as it looked! It turns out, aside from selling simple technologies, this mother-of-three is also a great baker. Whenever parties are planned in her village, Ibu Lilik is the go-to woman for delicious snacks, desserts, and sweet treats.
Ibu Lenny, on the other hand, is an elementary school teacher. “I have a passion for education and kids, but I don’t like to be considered superior and distant because I’m a teacher. I prefer the term mentor,” she said.
READY TO REPRESENT
The next day, it was showtime! Ibu Lilik and Ibu Lenny dressed up in batik from East Java to bring a little taste of their hometown - they looked so beautiful. From their smiles, I could tell they were excited and nervous at the same time.
APSF 2015 was held at the University of Indonesia, one of the most prestigious schools in the country. More than 100 delegates from 20 countries joined the conference, coming from as far away as Japan, Russia, and Egypt. Most were university students with a great interest in development. The conference featured many speakers and discussions focusing on the sustainable development goals.
After I introduced Kopernik’s work, I invited Ibu Lilik and Ibu Lenny up to the stage and shared my microphone with them. With great confidence they shared what they have gained from joining the Wonder Women program. Ibu Lilik talked about how her women’s group have set up their own savings and loans group, using the margin they earn from selling technologies. I was proud to see them share their experience, and draw a big round of applause from the delegates.
NATURAL-BORN BUSINESSWOMEN
The final day featured an excursion around Jakarta. We visited historic places such as the Kota Tua (‘old town’) and the National Monument. Photos were obligatory, but the most important thing? Souvenirs and shopping.
Other than buying souvenirs for their families, both Ibu Lilik and Ibu Lenny bought plenty of fashion bags at a cheap price. “We can sell these bags back in Bojonegoro, they don’t have anything like this there,” said Ibu Lenny. I was delighted to see this entrepreneurial spirit from our ‘wonder women’, pursuing every business opportunity in front of them.
At first glance, Ibu Lilik and Ibu Lenny might look like your regular housewives from Java. But after spending a few short-but-meaningful days with them, moving from strangers to friends, I can tell you, they are so much more than that - they are indeed two very inspiring women!
Kopernik’s Wonder Women Western Indonesia initiative is a women’s economic empowerment and technology distribution program supported by the ExxonMobil Foundation. The program operates in North Aceh, Tuban, and Bojonegoro for women with limited opportunities.
