[caption id="attachment_9672" align="aligncenter" width="487"] Hafiza, giving a health lecture[/caption] I got to know her through an article in an offline media. The beautiful, hijab-wearing woman is commonly called Hafiza. Reading the article about someone with the full name Hafiza Elvira Novitariani stirred my social conscience as a human being to dare to do more.
Hafiza not only spoke about what she did but also bravely immersed herself directly with OYPMK. Paragraph after paragraph I read, until I finally understood what and who OYPMK was. Yes, it turns out OYPMK is an acronym for Orang Yang Pernah Menderita Kusta (People Who Have Suffered from Leprosy). My blood ran cold hearing the word “Leprosy,” which meant Hafiza was mingling with former leprosy patients, who are, by definition, people with a contagious disease.
Truly, Hafiza has a heart made of diamonds, with all the accolades she carries: beautiful, accomplished, and highly compassionate. I was not only amazed but also ashamed by what Hafiza possessed. It was from that article that I finally sought to learn more about Hafiza. I eventually found Hafiza through her Twitter account. I immediately went to her timeline, and right then I read that Hafiza regularly held activities in a certain place.
The status I read on her timeline invited volunteers to participate in her upcoming activities. After leaving a short message, I expressed my desire to join the activity. Hafiza replied to my message with deep joy. I carefully noted the determined time and place, so I wouldn't be late or get lost, of course. The place, located about 30 kilometers from Jakarta, was not what I had imagined.
Far from luxurious or even cool air, it was, on the contrary, arid and hot. Upon arriving at the promised location, I finally learned that it was called Sitanala Leprosy Village – Tangerang. Not long after I arrived, Hafiza came, followed by several mothers. We introduced ourselves with handshakes. Oh, my heart was filled with apprehension, especially the fear of contagion.
But seeing Hafiza's face and spirit, I immediately banished that apprehension, replacing it with a sense of care. Hafiza then immediately opened the event and gave a lecture on tuberculosis (TB). I witnessed firsthand how enthusiastic the OYPMK, all mothers, were in listening to Hafiza's explanation. The next activity, Hafiza gave an interactive quiz containing questions about the hopes, abilities, obstacles, and needs of the OYPMK.
I was momentarily choked up, seeing them write the interactive quiz with incomplete fingers. It took a long time to carve out a single letter, but they still did it all. As I continued to follow the activity, I saw how much they also wanted to be treated equally with others. They forgot their limitations; there was laughter, there was joy. Truly, what Hafiza did made me bow my head in shame and admiration.
Hafiza tried to provide something beneficial for the OYPMK. Considering their still productive age, Hafiza thought of empowering the OYPMK by training them in skills. After some deliberation, Hafiza finally provided training in making beaded hijabs. This training given by Hafiza was not without reason; it was all done to improve the living standards of the OYPMK community.
All this time, the OYPMK community has always received unfair treatment from society, namely ostracism. Many people view the OYPMK community as backward. Such treatment prevents the OYPMK community from having a more decent life, both materially and emotionally. They are not only ostracized by society but also by their own families. They also cannot work like other people in general, even though they are capable.
This condition pushes the OYPMK community to choose to become beggars, pedicab drivers, and trash scavengers. [caption id="attachment_9674" align="aligncenter" width="539"] The OYPMK community discussing the interactive quiz[/caption] Fortunately, Hafiza appeared among them to save many things, especially their dignity.
Living in the confines of poverty and the label of OYPMK is not something to be happy about. With capital from an educational institution, Hafiza and some of her friends founded the Nalacity Foundation in 2011. The Nalacity Foundation is a social project focused on community empowerment programs through skill development. However, over time, the Nalacity Foundation did not only focus on empowerment.
Almost all problems faced by OYPMK are handled by Nalacity. [caption id="attachment_9677" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Hafiza (right) with the OYPMK community[/caption] I also saw that there was absolutely no barrier between Hafiza and those mothers. Hafiza's sweat-drenched face continued to spread smiles and enthusiasm; there was no trace of fear of contagion.
Everything was done with a full sense of responsibility, accompanied by solutions. For Hafiza, this social project is a mandate to uplift the dignity of the OYPMK community. A dignity that has been lost due to societal discrimination. Hafiza hopes that the training she has provided will have a positive impact on the OYPMK. This OYPMK community also wants to experience normal life again, just like other members of society.
The life they lead is already difficult enough, compounded by their status as OYPMK. They have long felt unappreciated for their hard work and are considered harbingers of misfortune. [caption id="attachment_9675" align="aligncenter" width="538"] I (right) with the OYPMK community[/caption] I am not just amazed by Hafiza, but also envious.
The "Beautiful Aura of Indonesia" is fully embodied by Hafiza; young, beautiful, accomplished, and her social spirit all merge into one within her. She is not afraid of public opinion that has discriminated against OYPMK, and she is far from discouraged. Every Sunday, Hafiza is there to embrace, protect, educate, teach, spread enthusiasm, and solve the problems faced by OYPMK.
Hafiza has become an boundless inspiration for me, a figure who cares for former leprosy patients. Someone who is willing and able to uplift the dignity of former leprosy patients through self-empowerment. They also do not want to continuously live off the handouts of donors. They want to be fully independent, both mentally and economically. Hafiza is not just an inspirational woman but also a resilient fighter.
Her hope is that the tireless struggle of Hafiza and her friends can elevate the status of the OYPMK community.