The management of Pondok Pesantren Manba’ul ‘Ulum take a photograph with overseas migrant workers Monday (26/6) in front of a school building, which was funded by the overseas migrant workers from Krasak village, Jatibarang, Indramayu regency, West Java. The overseas migrant workers from Krasak are helping to develop their hometown by funding construction of an Islamic boarding school, a mosque and a public school.
Overseas, the Indonesian migrant work force is often considered as mere housemaids. However, in their villages, they are the main actors who take part in building schools and mosques, and in developing local businesses. When Lebaran comes, the sense of solidarity among them is strong.
From along the concrete roads of Krasak village, Jatibarang district, Indramayu regency, West Java, the view of Jami’ Al-Muttaqien Mosque is magnificent. With two stories, its twin minarets reach 10 meters high. A fancy chandelier is mounted inside to banish the dark. Spinning fans drive away the heat.
Near the mosque is the two-story Madrasah Diniyah Miftahuttholibin; to its rear, three multi-storied buildings of the Manba’ul Ulum Islamic Boarding School have just been completed. The smell of fresh paint is still all around.
The buildings are the result of the Indonesian migrant workers (TKI) who have worked hard for years abroad. Their collective donations are announced at the mosque before the Friday prayer service or on specific occasions.
Before this year’s Idul Fitri prayer, mosque officials announced that the alms collection had reached Rp 16.7 million. During the Ramadhan fasting month, donations from the entire congregation totaled Rp 27.3 million.
"More than 60 percent of the new buildings of the boarding school was from the contribution of overseas migrant workers," said Manba’ul \'Ulum Islamic Boarding School chairman Nurullah on Monday (26/6).
"When they were told that the boarding school would be rebuilt, the migrant workers, including former migrant workers, donated enthusiastically, particularly during Ramadhan and Lebaran," he said.
Nurullah said the overseas migrant workers and their families were moved to contribute voluntarily in the construction of the mosque and boarding school. "There are migrant workers who gave Rp 500,000, even millions of rupiah, in alms," he added.
The migrant workers entrust their children to study at the madrasah and boarding schools in the mornings or in the afternoons after regular school. The number totals 100 children.
The Krasak community of overseas migrant workers also raise funds on their own via Facebook (FB). "If there is construction on a mosque or madrasah, I just tell my friends on FB," said Uki Zaena, 35, a former migrant worker of 10 years who used to work in Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.
During Lebaran, the migrant workers also help the former migrant workers, who are grouped in the TKI Sejahtera Cooperative in collaboration with the Indramayu Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI). The cooperative sells Lebaran cookies online to migrant workers.
"There were more than 100 jars. All are sold out and we sent [the cookies] to their families," said Zaena, who is a member of the cooperative. The cooperative, which was founded last year, has 35 members at present.
"This should come to the attention of regional governments. So far, migrant workers have not been taught how to develop their villages and use their salaries for productive things," said SBMI Indramayu chairman Juwarih.
SBMI Indramayu data shows that about 600 residents of Krasak Village are migrant workers. If each migrant worker contributes Rp500,000 per year, they could raise Rp 300 million toward developing their village.
Brebes community
Migrant workers from Brebes, Central Java, also contribute to their village. Wartoni, 33, from Mundu village of Tanjung district, has formed the Brebes Community (Kombes) together with fellow migrant workers. They routinely raise money for regional development.
Since 2016, Kombes members have raised Rp 20 million to Rp 30 million every 3-4 months and sent it to Brebes to help orphans from each district.
They have also provided assistance for the construction of mosques and disaster relief. For example, Kombes donated Rp 60 million in February to flood victims in Brebes.
On a monthly salary of 2.3 won (Rp 25 million), Wartoni makes enough to set aside funds for his region. He said there were not many choices for work in his village to change the local standard of living.
"Most become farmers, factory workers, or traders," said Wartoni, who used to work for six years as a laborer at an electronics company.
Even though Brebes is known as the agricultural center of shallots, being a shallot farmer cannot provide a mainstay income. Before leaving as a migrant worker in 2009, Wartoni was a shallot farmer. He said famers\' incomes were uncertain, as they depended on sales proceeds during harvest time. "I just held onto the money during the harvests," said Wartoni.
Wartoni hoped not to be a migrant worker forever. If development of his region progressed, he would no longer need to go abroad for work.
The coordinator of non-governmental organization Formigran Indonesia, Jamaluddin Suryahadikusuma, said that the hope to improve their family’s finances was the main motivation of Brebes residents in becoming migrant workers.
The actions of migrant workers and former migrant workers in Indramayu and Brebes help not only in the physical construction of mosques, boarding schools, and regular schools, but also in improving the education of villagers. Education is believed to boost regional progress. From overseas, they help develop their villages at home.
(BENEDIKTUS KRISNA YOGATAMA, ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI)
