Rabu, 09 Desember 2015
As the starting point, Nganget
International Work Camp is an annual program held by Leprosy Care Community
University of Indonesia. This is my second work camp since I joined IWC here
last year. The great experience and happiness I got last year is the reason why
I have to come again to Nganget, meet the villagers and also join the 6th
NIWC this year. All praises for God who give me this tremendous opportunity. He
lets me do the effort harder and better to decrease the discrimination in ex
leprosy patients’ life. He completes it by the existance of Indonesian and
Japanese campers who work together to success the work camp.
Before going to this work camp, I
got a complicated situation. I should attend a two weeks English course program
in Pare on the same date as NIWC. It was a little bit difficult to get the
permittion to leave the course at first. Fortunately, by giving the clear
explanation and convincing the committee I was allowed to leave the course.
Soon, I go to Nganget to join the work camp.
Arriving at the village, the
friendly atmosphere was suddenly surrounding me. It felt relieved that some of
the villagers still remembered me. And it was still being an unforgettable
moment since they treated me well as their part of family. I was so glad that the
villagers really welcomed to the campers’ coming.
Here I intentionally use Pak, Bu,
Mbah or other local initial since our heart are close frome those initial. First,
I came to my grandfather’s room in Panti, Mbah Wariman. I was so happy because
finally I could meet him again. I worried about him so much since I heard he
was sick and treated in the hospital few times ago. I lost contact with him for
about a half year because Pak Yono passed away. There was a dissapointed moment
for me, I broke my promise for coming to his room in a morning and eating ketan
together, just because I forgot about it. I was really sorry for Mbah Wariman
because he had bougth me ketan. L. Fortunately, Mbah Wariman is an easy going person so actually he
didn’t matter it so much. He just ate the rest of ketan for his lunch.
But still, I feel guilty.
Another story about him is, I don’t
know why he thought that I and Adin were alike. He assumed that I and Adin was
the same person and tried to trick him. He asked us to come together and we
made it. Unintentionally I came when Adin was visiting him. It obviously proved
that we are different, starting from our physical appereance to family. I said
to my self, “OMG mbah, what’s going on? Are you really getting older and
older so you got senile and forget the real me? :D”. I spend most of my
morning time to visit him before starting the activities and some times I slept
in him room.
I tried to stay closer among another
villagers. Pak Jan’s familly was really kind and humble to me. I often took a
bath and pray in his house when the public facilities was crowded. They really
welcomed to me. I felt at home there. At some times, I ate at his house twice
with Ade at first and Arum at second. At the last time, with Arum, we found
that some ants were inside his food. We felt so sad about it. But, Pak Jan and
his familly has the great gratitude feeling in their life so they can accept
all the condition. Hope I can do as well as them.
Since last year, I was close to
Wawan’s family, especially with his mother, Bu Hamidah. She often told me her
life story and difficulty. She ever told me one difficulty she faces right now.
Since I think it is the internal problem, I may not tell it freely in public. I
really wanna help her to overcome the problem and I’ll try to find a way.
After going home, I get the new
thought about the work camp. It is a bit different from last year. After
joining the 5th IWC a year ago, in my opinion the only one who needs
more is the villagers or ex-leprosy patients. The campers only helped them to
raise their joy in life. But, right now after attending this 6th
NIWC, i realize that not only them, but also the campers and me. They may need
my presence to gather and feel happy. Moreover, I also think that I also need
them to get my happiness. We need each other, like the mutualism symbiosis.
Eventually, at last I feel so happy
to gather the 6th Nganget International Work Camp. I may not be
anyone but I’m proud of being a part of these amazing people and stand in line
together with them. I may be not good at writing but the most important I think
is that I save all those memorable moments in my life and I will recall them
from my mind whenever and wherever I miss them.
