Nur Asiyah
Before I said yes to the offer as the Chief of Simpang Sari Sub-village, Pematang Rahim Village, Jambi in 2016, I already asked my husband’s permission and he said yes.
I have become very busy. Invitation to the neighbouring village, invitation to the District, to Jakarta, to other cities. I am basically cannot sit still. And then I was given the mandate to develop female farmers’ group, family herbal plants group, this, that. All work must be done, must be meaningful for the society, right? Every programme entrusted in our hands must be life-changing.
My husband, apparently, did not approve. He started to protest, his words were harsh and physical threats were involved. I could not accept it. Twenty years of marriage, I had never been treated badly. I have carried out my duties as a wife and as a mother. I really could not accept it.
When I received an invitation to Bandung, I looked for a foundation that could help victims of domestic violence. I asked, is there anything I can do? I was requested to be mentally organized.
Then, the situation got worsened. I stayed in my house for two weeks. I was embarrassed. I thought about resigning from my position as the Chief of Sub-village. But no. I have to be strong!
I filed a report to the police. I took refuge at the police station for a whole night, I took my two children. One was in Middle School and the other was in Elementary School. The police officer asked, “Where are the bruises?” Well, there was none. But do I have to wait until everything was too late?
The next day I was picked up by my husband and taken home. He promised, he would change. But in reality, he never did. He was back to his habit, being harsh.
Two years ago, he left. No words. No money ever sent for my children’s schooling. I filed for a divorce, just set things straight.
I kept myself active. Together with the facilitators of KKI Warsi, we formed the Female Farmers’ Group. “Kami Bikin – We Create.” creates anything, including managing paper and plastic wastes.
We also made banana crackers with Liberica coffee flavor. We combined two potentials in our villages, banana, and coffee. The coffee flavor can be adjusted from light, medium to thick. Liberica, the merge between Arabica and Robusta, grown in peatland like ours. And then we started to receive more orders.
Kami Bikin group has only tens of member. This is an amusement for us. In the evening when all the work had done, we share stories to empower each other. Some of us are widow, single parents, we help each other.
