Peasants’ Migration

“Most people in Derek village are working as peasants. They only harvest the rice twice a year since their rice fields rely on rainwater for irrigation. It is hard for them to meet their daily needs due to the economic slowdown in Derek. This condition encourages many people to work as migrant workers in order to get a better life.”

Photographer:

Sumayatus Sahidah, or Sum, is a temporary teacher at a high school in Southwestern Praya Sub-district, Central Lombok Regency. Starting with her involvement in migrant workers data collection in Darek village, Sum can understand more about the migrant workers’ conditions and she engaged in Desbumi activities. Currently, Sum become one of Desbumi cadres in Darek village, Southwestern Praya Sub-district.

About PhotoVoice: Voices of Women through Photographs

This is one of 48 photos taken by 21 former women migrant workers, their family members and supporters, who live in six villages in Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara/NTB) and Lembata (East Nusa Tenggara/NTT).  The story of the photo and the photographer profile is available in the image displayed.

Through photos, they voice their concerns, needs and achievements.  They also use these photos to record changes in their lives and the lives of people around them and to communicate the challenges faced in their daily lives.

Their photos were exhibited in two national events: the National Conference of Women of Women Inspiring Change (May 2015, in Jakarta) and the National Jamboree of Migrant Workers (November 2015, in Jember, East Java). A story about them is written by a journalist from Kompas, Meidiana, and published in Kompas printed newspaper on Sunday, December 13, 2015. The trainings were done by a consultant from London, UK, named PhotoVoice.