Stories

A PEKKA Cadre from Batang Learns Organisational Skills to Expand Working Areas in Central Java

I am Temu, a middle-aged woman works as a casual laborer in Tegalsari village, Batang, Central Java. My husband passed away in 2002, since then I found it difficult to support my two daughters. I then, worked any lawful jobs to survive.

At first, my focus was just to be a bread-winner, I never cared about village meetings. Truthfully, I was too embarrassed to attend village meetings due to my limited organisational experience. Furthermore, I was afraid I could not manage my time since I need to make ends meet.

However, this gradually changed. Back in 2003, Dhesi, field facilitator of Women-Headed Household Empowerment Program (PEKKA) came to my house and offered me to join PEKKA’s various activities. She believed PEKKA could help in improving my capabilities and opening job opportunities.

After joining PEKKA, I actively participated in many beneficial activities such as a training on organisation management. After the training, I was appointed as a treasurer of Mawar Women’s Group in Tegalsari village, Kademan district, Batang regency. In fact, at that time I was also assigned as a cadre in legal for PEKKA at district level to national level. I was given the opportunity to assist lawyers in handling misdemeanors cases. Now, my friends come to me about their problems, which ranging from the completion of legal documents to sexual harassment cases.

Members of PEKKA, Sumiati, Tamiah and Kurniati and I also involved in a program to expand PEKKA’s working areas to Baru and Kendal regency since February 2016. Now, PEKKA has 10 assisted groups from 6 villages in Weleri district and Kendal district.

Our journey in expanding our working areas is not always like a walk in a park. Often people ditrust our good intentions in doing social activities. This distrust have made us changed activities’ venues; from village hall to the resident houses. I often thought of my family back home when I am facing these challenges, but I have to be strong. We did not despair in facing these challenges. We tirelessly gave an understanding that all activities that we carried out are for the good of our society.

After gaining people’s trust, several members of PEKKA and I immediately worked with village organisations to hold various events. We equipped residents with knowledge on sewing and baking. Thanks to this knowledge, they can now look for additional income to help their families and send their children to school.

Members of PEKKA and I also feel the benefits of joining PEKKA. We learned to not give up and share knowledge to the people in Batang. Participating in these meetings enables me to speak in public. Besides that, I have made new friends due to my activities in numerous PEKKA’s assisted areas. I hope PEKKA will continuously show their commitment in helping women heads of family.

Go PEKKA!

Written by: Temu (Caretaker of PEKKA Batang)