A Noble Duty for the Sake of Street Kids

KOMPAS/DWI BAYU RADIUS

Ahmad Lugas Kusnadi

Ahmad Lugas Kusnadi, 45, lends a hand to the street kids in Lebak regency, Banten, so they can make a better life. Ugas, his nickname, offers them many options through the arts.

On Sunday (9/9/2018), Ugas performed at the 2018 Multatuli Art Festival at the Multatuli Museum in Rangkasbitung, Lebak, Banten. But he did not sing.

His hands checked the musical instruments, guitar, tambourine and organ as well as the electric chords. He made sure everything is fine for the show within eight hours.

“Kang Ujang, keep the spirit,” one of his friends said, while congratulating the chairman of Street Singers Club (KPJ) Rangkasbitung.

The wait was over. At around 8 p.m., the spectators flocked around the side and front of the stage, even outside the fences. No less than 1,000 people watched the KPJ Rangkasbitung. They stood shoulder to shoulder at the yard of the museum. Ugas’ big name as a local singer was the magnet.

This time, Ugas sang on stage along with his friends from the KPJ. He belted songs with economic, social and political lyrics like “Hariring Lebak”, “Multatuli”, “Selamat Pagi Indonesia”, “Kisah Membangun” and” Rimbun Hutan- ku”. The spectators applauded each time he finished a song.

Ugas and his band were not alone. Around 15 other KPJ musicians also showcased their talents and creativity.

For Ugas, the concert was not only a performance and applause from the spectators. It is bigger than that. The musicians on the stage were just a small part of the street kids that Ugas has rescued from various social problems through the KPJ Rangkasbitung he initiated 22 years ago.

In KPJ Rangkasbitung, Ugas said, the street kids were offered to take part in the concert, make handicrafts, do sports, improve literacy and participate in plays. Ugas also organized Quran recitals every Thursday night.

“Rangkasbitung may be small but it has many street kids. Surely, they are prone to various problems, such as drugs, crime and alcohol,” he said.

Flow

Ugas is not only talk. He experienced life as a street kid after graduating from state high school SMA in 1990. At that time, he felt uncomfortable with the arguments and conflicts at home.

Relying on his vocal and music skills, Ugas earned money as a street singer in Jakarta, Bandung in West Java and Serang, Banten. He chose his “bed” as his wish; in front of the shops, railway stations or mushola (prayer room).

However, living on the streets, he could not rely only on vocal and music skills. He had no choice. In order to get friends, he started drinking alcohol and took part in brawls. His life and future were gloomy.

Finally, 10 years later, subsequent events made him “conscious”. Marriage and the birth of his first child made him be a better person. Ugas said he had not done positive things for himself, his family and environment.

“Everything is just flowing. I want to help my friends who have problems so that they did not repeat my mistake,” he said.

Ugas said so far, the KPJ has several places for people to express themselves. One of them is a house in Cijorolebak, Rangkasbitung.

It has been used as a venue for practicing theater, Quran recitals and producing handicraft since 2003. It is close to Studio Lenong Sedih, where the street kids practice their music. Another place is Sanggar Sumlor in Sukarendah village, Warunggunung district, Lebak, or around 10 kilometers from Alun-alun Rangkasbitung square.

Since 2011, almost every day there are street kids that practice dance, vocals and music there. The name Sumlor is taken from the name of a well in Sukarendah village.

“Just like a well, which is a source of water, this place will be a source of knowledge,” he said.

The workshop also established a library, Taman Bacaan Masyarakat (TBM) Sumlor. Ugas often organizes reading, poetry, storytelling and coloring competitions. The competitions usually take place on Sunday at 4-6 p.m. Yet, every single day, the library is never quiet.

Hard struggle

On Wednesday (12/9/2018), around 15 people came to the TBM, most of them were street singers.

Ugas welcomed them and let them choose the books they like. Later, Ugas organized a drawing competition. The prizes were a piggybank and a set of writing tools.

A member of KPJ Rangkasbitung was appointed as a jury. Ugas cracked a joke. “We should not doubt our jury. He has been the winner in many cooking competitions,” Ugas said to the laughter of the audience.

The loyalty of Ugas and KPJ Rangkasbitung has borne fruit. At least, 240 kids were rescued from the street to become civil servant, journalist and sellers.

However, Ugas acknowledged, not all of the street kids he helped eventually become successful. Several street kids went to jail. Others died of HIV/AIDS, got shot or attacked by mobs due to their crime.

“It’s a hard life. Some street kids repeated the same problems. Some could not be rescued. Yet, I have not given up. I still want to struggle with my loyal colleagues,” he said.

KOMPAS/DWI BAYU RADIUS

Ahmad Lugas Kusnadi

Born: Jakarta, Oct. 18, 1972

Wife: Siti Mariani Sirait, 40

Children: Ahmad Gibran Partitur and Siti Gamaria Mozart

Education: Elementary school SDN Negeri 02 Petang, Cibubur Jakarta (Graduated in 1984); Junior High School SMP 32 Jakarta (Graduated 1987); Senior High School SMA PGRI Rangkasbitung, Lebak, Banten (Graduated 1990)

Award:

Award for Developing Creative Process in Music from Banten Art Council in 2016; Best Song at Theater and Acoustics Music Festival from the Education and Culture Ministry in 2004; Best Musician at Traditional Music Festival in Banten from the Culture and Tourism Office in 2010