KAMSIAH, AN ENDLESS SUPPORT
Ramdani, Media Indonesia

Kamsiah (73) may seem old and frail. But her dedication and commitment to humanity will never diminish from old age. For thirty years, she has been teaching street children, mentally-ill individuals and those who are in their twilight years the art of creating handicrafts.

Donning a batik shirt, with a leather bag slung across her shoulders and holding another bag filled with all kinds of crafting tools, Kamsiah begins her day. The old woman had only ever graduated from junior high school, but you wouldn’t know it from her spirit to teach and share her skills with others. She visits the housing facility which accommodates street children who no longer have parents.

“Oma is here, Oma is here!” Rima screamed, calling out to her friends at Anak Putra Utama Orphanage in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. All the children ran out to greet the old woman, and together they entered a craft room where they regularly spend time crafting various items. Kamsiah distributed a bag of candy around the room to boost the children’s spirit.

On other days, Kamsiah visits other facilities, such as those which house mentally-ill individuals and nursing homes. She would teach them how to craft a doormat, recycled bags from coffee packaging, plastic roses from straws and also how to knit.

“Don’t daydream, rather than let your mind roam free, it’s better to try and craft a doormat,” said Kamsiah, gently inviting a patient at Bina Laras Harapan Sentosa II Rehabilitation Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta. The rehab center focuses on treating mentally-ill individuals.

Kamsiah is a mother and grandmother for the children at the orphanage, friend and sister for those at the nursing homes. Her visit is always greatly anticipated.

It takes great patience and strong will to adapt with the condition of life at these ‘homes’. For Kamsiah, those who live in these facilities are strong and skillful.

“I can’t give you anything, except maybe these skills for when you get out of the orphanage. Therefore, no one will ever underestimate you,” said Kamsiah before ending the crafting session that afternoon.

Empowerment is an effort to better ourselves, but it has a greater meaning when we do it for someone else, so that they are also able to better their own lives and continue to learn.