“Life becomes more meaningful when we are needed and useful for our community. Otherwise, it feels empty,” Maria said as she busily recorded Posyandu patient data at her Kelurahan Sukatani, Depok, West Java home.

Maria Dwiwati (57) is a homemaker and a social activist, also serving as a Posyandu cadre since 1995. During her college years, Maria was actively involved in various social activities and student organizations, including serving as a member of the student senate and Menwa (Student Regiment). Her involvement in the social field earned her the Supersemar scholarship in addition to achieving the highest academic accolades.

Maria is a selfless and respected figure in her community, entrusted with accompanying patients at the Puskesmas for over two decades. She believes in the simple happiness her hard work brings and never seeks personal gain.

Outside being a Posyandu cadre, she enjoys aerobics, which she started attending in 2000 and even became an instructor herself. Through her passion for fitness, Maria encourages her community to maintain their health and wellness through morning aerobics every weekend.

For her, exercise is not just about physical health but also about uplifting spirits and mental well-being. With good health and vitality, she hopes to continue serving and spreading goodness to those around her.

Maria’s hope is simple yet noble.