Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Jan 17, 2024

Sahabat Pena Maria

 

By Six Missing


Dari pelosok dusunnya di jalur khatulistiwa
Yang kenyang janji-janji penguasa
Yang listriknya dulu sekali pernah “byar” lalu “pet” lagi
Yang perjalanan ke sekolahnya harus menyebrangi kali
Maria menantikan sepeda ontel yang seharusnya,
saban lima pekan tiba


Ada beberapa surat untuk warga dan kalau beruntung, ada juga yang mendapat kiriman sekaleng biskuit dari kota

Biasanya dibawa si Bapak yang usianya tak lagi muda itu


"Mungkin sungainya meluap."
Mungkin sepedanya rusak."
"Atau kantor pos kembali rumbuh atapnya."
Tebak-tebak Nini’ yang mulai iba melihat penantian cucunya yang tak usai jua


“Harusnya Maryam sudah membalas suratku dari dua bulan lalu.” tukas Maria 
Teringat Ia isi surat pertama mereka yang mensukuri kemiripan nama keduanya
Maria dan Maryam
Pada susunan kalimat tak sempurna dalam bahasa yang keduanya sedang pelajari
Pada persahabatan yang dimulai dari kerabat dusun sebelah, yang bapaknya pernah dinas di luar negri


“Memang dari mana sahabat penamu yang ini?” Nini’ bertanya

“Nama negaranya Palestina, Ni’.” Maria menjawab seraya tetap menjurusi pandangannya ke ujung jalan

Nenek, yang buta huruf karena tak pernah ke sekolah sejak bangsa ini merdeka, 
mengangguk-angguk saja


Sudah kembali fokusnya menyalakan sumbu pelita
Supaya malamnya tak terlalu gulita

Bersama cucu kesayangan satu-satunya

(Oleh TBH- Januari 2024)


Nov 10, 2023

On Wars

They want us to keep bringing life into this world.

But how could we let the sound of gunfire be the one that breaks our children's hearing?


They want us to raise a generation
But they silence our trembling voice when it does not fit their agenda; that is to let the sound of gunfire be the one that breaks our children's hearing


TBH-October 2023

Please hug or hold the hands of someone you love today because tomorrow is never promised 💔 



Aug 1, 2023

A little note on your kid's first day of school

 

Samuel my nephew, 3 y.o

This one is for Mamas, Dads, or other parent figures with bawled eyes posting pictures of their kids' first day of school.

I hope you'll find peace and delight knowing that you've made it possible for your little one to explore the endless world of knowledge.

You did it. 

Now take a deep breath. Have that glass of wine, read your fashion magazine, make that business call, or take a non interrupted shower with that sweet fragrant of soap bar you've been saving. 

Anything to appreciate those rare moments of being a trusting parent, knowing that your kids are in the right hand and in a safe space.

Your kids will be home soon. Eyes all wide (they're probably a bit smelly), ready to tell you about their day.

Day one. 

You did it.

Jun 2, 2017

Menyoal Hakikat Perempuan Sejati

Ini Siswi. Primadona nya Camp Leakey yang berlokasi di Tanjung Puting- Kalimantan Tengah.
Tanjung Puting (dan tiga camp didalamnya; Camp Leakey, Pondok Tanggui, Tanjung Harapan) adalah taman nasional dimana di dalam tiga camp tersebut, Orangutan yang sempat menjadi korban poaching pembakaran hutan direhabilitasi ulang oleh para rangers sebelum bisa dilepas kembali ke alam bebas. Tapi tulisan ini bukan hendak membahas mengenai tamaknya deforestrasi industri kelapa sawit. 

Itu nanti saja.

Tulisan ini, tentang perempuan.

Kenapa Siswi disebut primadona? Well, sebenarnya itu julukan si paruh baya ini dulu. Sebagai seorang perempuan, Siswi tergolong cantik dan menggairahkan. Buat para Orangutan tentu. 
Sifatnya yang percaya diri dan pesonanya yang memikat lewat bulu merah dan mata besarnya yang seperti telaga menjadikan Siswi seorang alpha-female. 
Dan Siswi dulu berhasil membuat King Tom (alpha male di Camp leakey bertekuk lutut)

Suatu hari, Siswi mengalami musibah keguguran. Sejak itu diketahui bahwa Siswi memiliki tumor didekat rahimnya yang bisa berakibat fatal jika tidak segera dioperasi. Tim dokter ahli akhirnya didatangkan oleh Prof. Birute dan tim’nya. Menyelamatkan nyawa perempuan dahsyat ini, walau artinya mereka harus mengangkat rahim Siswi.

Setelah pulih, Siswi si primadona kembali ke hutan. 
Sayangnya, tanpa Siswi sangka, para Orangutan jantan tidak lagi melihat Siswi menggairahkan. 
Baunya beda, phreromone yang dulu memikat, sekarang sudah tidak tercium lagi. Siswi dianggap tak akan mampu menghasilkan keturunan lagi. Jadi buat apa didekati?
Harap dicatat; untuk bisa mendapatkan pengakuan sebagai “Pejantan sejati”, Orangutan jantan harus berhasil punya anak. Jadi naluri kebinatangan mereka bereaksi secara alamiah didalam hal ini. Nothing personal. It’s nature.
Ada manusia yang merasa? Silakan berhenti membaca tulisan saya.
Oh, dan terakhir saya kesana tahun lalu, Tom sedang dekat dengan Arya. Seorang Orangutan betina muda yang belum berusia 20 tahun dan masih subur pastinya.
Tersinggung? Kan saya sudah bilang, berhenti membaca tulisan ini….


Akhirnya, Siswi jadi lebih sering berteman dengan para rangers di hutan. 
Makanya, mudah sekali bertemu dengan Siswi kalau kita berkunjung ke Camp Leakey. Karena dia sering duduk di dermaga penyebrangan sungai sekonyer kedalam Camp. 

Siswi agak nyentrik, bahkan sering dibilang biang kerok. Karena selalu mengikuti cara hidup para rangers disana. Kadang Siswai suka ikut mandi, minta mencobai teh yang sedang dinimati rangers, atau sok ikut membantu memperbaiki jembatan. Kalau nyentrik'nya keluar, Siswi tak segan mengganggu tamu dengan ulahnya. 
Yang terjadi didepan mata saya saat itu; Siswi harus dirayu pakai payung supaya mau bergeser dari dermaga. Supaya saya dan teman-teman lain bisa lewat dan naik ke perahu kelotok.


Lucu? Mungkin.
Tapi, sebagai seorang skeptic sejati… saya justru merasa sedih. 

Siswi merasa ditolak, jadilah ia pencari perhatian kelas berat. 
Siswi merasa tidak cantik lagi, jadilah dia galak sama perempuan lain. 
Terutama sama siapa tebak? Yes, Arya!

Saat ini, mungkin kalian berpikir saya seperti sedang membahas mengenai teman-teman manusia. Bukan, ini purely Orangutan. Yang punya kesamaan genetic 97% dengan kita.
Makes so much more sense now?

Yang bisa saya syukuri, Siswi tetap sehat. Dia akan selalu aman dan bahagia disana. Animal Instinct yang membuat para orangutan jantan tidak mau sama Siswi lagi adalah proses alam yang tak bisa diubah.

Tapi, bagaimana dengan nasib saudara-saudara perempuan Siswi yang lain (yang punya kesamaan genetic sebanyak 97%)?
Alias manusia.
Bagaimana jika seorang perempuan (manusia) hanya dianggap sempurna jika ia berhasil menghadirkan manusia-manusia kecil kedunia ini lewat rahimnya? 
Padahal ia tidak bisa.
Bagaimana jika 3% dari ketidaksamaan itu membuat si perempuan punya logika yang justru berbeda
“Saya tidak mau punya anak.” Karena (mau adopsi/tidak mau saja/takut melahirkan/dunia sudah edan/my body my rule)

Apakah pilihan-pilihan itu akan menjadikan posisi perempuan (yang manusia) jadi sama seperti Siswi? Dianggap tak berguna. Dihakimi karena tak memenuhi kodrat. Disingkirkan alam?
Sehingga harus sering main-main sendirian di dermaga.
Atau justru lebih buruk?

Dihina di lingkungan, diceraikan, dianggap aneh. Terutama oleh perempuan lain yang sibuk adu argumentasi mengenai  ASI versus susu formula. Yang mana Ibu sejati. Kata mereka.

Akhirnya para perempuan yang hidupnya mirip seperti Siswi ini cuma bisa diam.
Entah mau mengutuki rahim dan kelamin atau justru mempertanyakan kehendak Tuhannya.

Kembali ke Siswi. Yang buat saya adalah tetap perempuan sejati.
Apakah Siswi punya pilihan lain? Selain ya sesekali judesin Arya.
Apa Siswi bia mennulis blog atau bikin campaign soal #rewritetherules atau soal #feminisme?
Tidak. 
Tapi paling tidak… dibatas pemikirannya yang tak se”mulia” manusia, Siswi bisa berdamai dengan kehidupannya sekarang. Toh, ranger malah sering memanjakannya. Siswi juga tak harus berpikir soal “Siapa yang akan mengurusnya saat tua nanti.”

Bagaimana dengan mahkluk perempuan lain?


Akhir tahun ini, kalau Tuhan dan semesta mengijinkan, saya akan bertemu Siswi lagi.
Mungkin akan berusaha menatap matanya walau tak bisa terlalu dekat.

A homo sapiens and a Pongo pygmaeus.
But eye to eye. Woman to woman.

Mungkin Siswi bisa menularkan kekuatannya kepada saya karena sebagai sesama perempuan, Siswi dan saya sama-sama pernah keguguran.

Mungkin akan ada sepercik sinar kebijakan di dalam jiwa Siswi yang bisa saya serap dan pelajari.

Untuk kemudian saya bagi untuk perempuan lain di dermaga lain atau lelaki yang mungkin ingin bisa seperti King Tom.

Atau pada diri saya sendiri.


xoxo
Tressabel Hutasoit-  
Homo sapiens-

(Update 2018: King Tom dikabarkan sudah tidak tampak lagi di Camp Leakey. Dugaan para rangers adalah, Tom kalah kelahi hingga lari ke pedalaman hutan liar. Sebagaimana mantan Orangutan  alpha lainnya. Pengganti Tom adalah yang berhasil mengalahkannya, yaitu Carlos. Siswi punya hobi baru: berkelahi dengan Carlos yang sudah membuat cinta sejatinya pergi.)

Sep 14, 2015

Questioning my unfaithfulness

People keep asking me; Why animal welfare? And for years I tried being diplomatic hiding my real answers: I have a close to zero faith in humanity. 
But today, I am glad to finally question my unfaithfulness when I joined a visit to this school for  children with disability as part of my company's CSR program. Not my very first CSR for sure but you'll see why this made a significant impact. Just from the smallest "incident".


After doing some painting and general cleaning work, I escaped to the classroom with these little fellas; Bayu, Nesi, Fito, and Putu to do some drawings. Them and many more that are not in the frame taught me a lot about overcoming disabilities (Down syndrome, deaf, blind). We think their life is hard but to them, the world is a safe place, people are kind, and God is amazing. I am swelled with the way they told me about their school, the games they love and even crush!


After almost an hour chatting leisurely, Putu (boy on my right) looked me in the eyes and asked the most important question "What color do you think I should use for this roof of the house I am drawing?" As a boring adult, I told him most house roofs are brown. 
I think he was a bit disappointed because he paused before asking me again 
"But, some can be red, right?" He stuttered in all his limitations in speaking. 
"Yes, Putu... Some can be red." I smiled. Trying hard to hide my trembling voice. 

And just at that very moment, I can hear my heart whispering " Yes, Tressabel, some can be kind."
God speed.


ps: If you want to be part of their inspiring journey by sponsoring them, please contact: +62 361 771718



Mar 18, 2015

Sophia, the youngest feminist to date

Sophia Trow (8 y.o) and her mother, Jane, went to a Clarks retail store in England to purchase a pair of Stomposaurus shoes. It's "just" and awesome collection, featuring little dinosaurs fit for any adventurer or a Ross Geller wanna be. 

There was just one problem... the shoes were labeled as boys’ shoes. When Sophia claimed that she wanted them, the sales clerk immediately told her that they aren’t made for “feminine bone structure.” 
I am pretty sure Sophia rolled her eyes (like any feminist would) when being told so because she wrote the following letter (see image at the bottom)
It is reported that Sophia went on to explain, “I don’t like how girls just have to like pink and purple – I like blue and science and fossils. Clarks should learn what girls really want and do something about it.”
Supporting her strong daughter, Jane tweeted it to Clarks. “I want my children to have options,” she said. “I don’t want them hampered by expectations that tell them how they should behave as girls – I want them to be able to do whatever they want to do and become strong women." to which Clarks responded with “We are sorry to hear that Sophia was informed these shoes aren’t suitable for girls. The Stomposaurus range can safely be worn by all children. We are also developing a broader range of unisex styles which will be available from Autumn/Winter this year.”
Kudos, Sophia! And I am sure you are going to end up doing great things, like this girl, and this boy
Just wondering tho... maybe you and I would like to start a petition so Clarks would make these Stomposaurus shoes in adult sizes too?
PS: That one cute nerd: Sophia Trow and THAT SHOES!
Also, have you seen this campaign : #LikeaGirl ? (I almost cried... since, am a girl, obvs!)


Jan 14, 2014

Difference Maker

So here’s one VERY personal post. 


I have been having this weird feeling for the past two months. I am happy with my job, super grateful for my house (and its mortgage!), I enjoyed every single progress the house is taking (no matter how much of a snail-move it is ), and I would not trade anyone in my circle of friends and or families for anything in the world. So the above list has been carefully mentioned in my prayers.

But… drum roll…. (And please do not laugh)

But, I feel like there is something outside that is calling me. I am not able to answer a question inside that I know is existing but I do not even know what it is. And I know how ridiculous that sounds. But after a few months of crazy conversations with my own head, I know that I feel like I have not done enough. I know I am a good and responsible sister; not a black sheep daughter; a loving aunt; a productive work force talent in my industry and a mama bear to my dogs but... is that all that I am here on earth for? Really!? I am not planning to stomp my chest but a wise servant of God once told me that He has bigger plans for each and every of His children... and I am seeking for that now.

Now, let me continue...
I did tell you about my plan after I retire... But what makes me think I have enough time to wait? I posted stories about how mean us humans can be in treating animals. But, will my posts make a difference that I actually am aiming? Or will it just brought more tears?
The ways of making small-baby-steps changes are all out there and I have blinded with other things that I cannot even recognize it. But this ends now.

There’s a long term plan for this aching heart of mine (oh wow!) and I will feel more than appreciated if you would like to stand next to me during that process.

First phase, signing petitions (this includes to close the hell on earth; Surabaya zoo) and or making donations to a cause or two I have your heart set at. Mine is set to children and animals so they go here and here. Like I have told you before, I am so under-qualified of being a ranger so this is the least I can do. 
Second phase… sponsoring a child that I know is in thirst of education. Truth is I still need guidance in this, so if any of you can help me out, please feel free. I am not taking anyone home to live with me, just sponsoring for education. 
If you think you need to be filthy loaded to do this… I am thrilled to tell you that you are wrong. Any amount of donations starting from usd10 (yes, ten!) will be well received and properly channeled.

The third remains a secret at this stage. It is still cooking and it will take a huge-bold-giant leap in my live and it will affect mostly my career move. But I hope you would bear with me.

I have no long resolutions list for 2014. I just want to make a little difference. A 7 year old out there is probably already doing what took me 34 years to do but that’s ok. The better late than never cliché is working this time.

But I can assure you this is just a beginning. So.help.me.God

ps: If any of you can help me to make more ways in this calling, please reach me out.

Not there yet.



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...