A Warrior for the Disabled

Kompas

Akhiles Alokako

In Greek mythology, Achilles was a warrior who led Greece in invading the city of Troy in a war organized by the god Zeus. In the city of Malang, Akhiles Alokako also struggled to lead disabled people to have a life that is equal to others.

Akhiles is a man born in Bajawa, East Nusa Tenggara, who dreams of becoming a priest. Like in Greek mythology, Akhiles\' life has been full of twists and turns.

If in Greece, Achilles had to be dipped in the Styx River to obtain immunity like gods, Akhiles from Bajawa would have to travel repeatedly to fulfill his calling to become a priest.

After graduating from SMEA (a vocational high school focusing on economics), Akhiles joined the Hamba-Hamba Kristus (HHK) monastery in Makassar, South Sulawesi. After a year, he fell ill and returned home to Atambua.

The call to dedicate his life to humanity and to help others continued to knock on his heart and thoughts during the healing period. That is why, one time during a meeting with the sisters from the Lay Missionary Society Association (ALMA) in Atambua, Akhiles expressed his intention to join. At that time, the sister told about his duty to deal with disabled and abandoned people.

He began to pioneer the Sanggar Sahabat Anak workshop in Sukun, Malang. This community focuses on assisting street and abandoned children.

Akhiles joined ALMA, then he was assigned to Malang, East Java, at the Bhakti Luhur Foundation (a foundation that handles disabilities) in 1997. There, he taught the art of music. In 2007, Akhiles decided to quit the foundation and continued serving independently. He began to pioneer the Sanggar Sahabat Anak workshop in Sukun, Malang. This community focuses on assisting street and abandoned children.

The following year Akhiles established the Rumah Sahabat community, a community for the disabled focusing on music. Its members are the disabled and street children who were confused how to live life after graduating from school.

He commuted every day from Malang to Lumajang.

"We gather to fight for equality for people with disabilities. We busk together, sell cakes and food, make doormats and do other activities as long as we don\'t harm others," Akhiles said, Tuesday (17/12/2019). To finance his life and activities, Akhiles became a music teacher in a number of schools at the same time, such as SDK Santa Maria, SMA Kertanegara high school and the Pancaran Kasih Pasirian Foundation in Lumajang Foundation. He commuted every day from Malang to Lumajang.

Accident

Once Akhiles had an accident that broke his ankle. Like the story of Achilles whose weakness is in his heel, Akhiles\' strength began to diminish. He decided to stop teaching music in all schools because he was not as agile as he used to be.

Although his steps are not as far as before, Akhiles did not want to give up on the problem. He and Robi, his disabled friend, filled their days selling salted fish and eggs around Pasar Besar market.

He lived in a rented house in Bandulan Barat, City of Malang, along with five other disabled people who are, on average, their students in music. They were Agung (physical disability) who was a drummer; Yudi (blind) who was a vocalist and melodic guitarist; Rofi (blind) who was bassist and Joko (low vision) who played keyboard.

The struggle of Akhiles and his friends continued, especially in the field of music. They made several music groups such as Netra Laras and RJY (Rofi, Joko, Yudi). Their main types of music are karawitan (Javanese traditional music) and pop. Even so, they can also play dangdut music.

Aside from performing music on several occasions, they also spent time by selling crackers and busking. On each trip selling crackers, they can go for four days and sometimes to other town. They usually slept at a gas station or at musholla (prayer room) or at the house of their acquaintance.

"What we need is not money. What disabled people need is space and opportunity. Their ability is not lesser compared to normal people’s. It\'s just that they sometimes don\'t have the space and opportunity so that their abilities are not well known," Akhiles said.

Instead, a Muslim will take a Catholic friend to attend mass every Sunday morning.

Interestingly, the Rumah Sahabat community does not only talk about the equality for the disabled. First of all, they practice tolerance and harmony among members. A Catholic member, for example, will happily take his Muslim friend to the Friday prayer service. Instead, a Muslim will take a Catholic friend to attend mass every Sunday morning.

"We may have physical disability, but our heart and mind is normal. We know that as good citizens we must uphold national values. For us, loving Pancasila and the Republic of Indonesia is not by just talking a lot. We do what we can, yes like this," said Akhiles.

Even though his dream of becoming a priest has yet to be accomplished, Akhiles is relieved that he is now a "father" for people with disabilities in his community. Akhiles truly becomes Achilles, a network of tendons in the legs that plays an important role so that humans can run.

KOMPAS/ DAHLIA IRAWATI

Akhiles Alokako and members of the Rumah Sahabat Community in Malang, East Java.

Akhiles Alokako

Born: Bajawa, 12 May 1974

Education: SMEA Negeri in Atambua (graduated in 1995-1996)

Activity:

- Frater at Hamba-Hamba Kristus (HHK) in South Sulawesi in 1996

- Joining ALMA at

Bhakti Luhur Foundation in Malang in

1997-2007

- Music teacher at SDK Santa Maria in

Malang in 2007

- Starting Sanggar Sahabat Anak workshop in Sukun, Malang in 2007 (mentoring street children)

- Music teacher at SMA Kertanegara in 2009

- Music teacher at Pancaran Kasih Pasirian Foundation in Lumajang in 2010-2013

- Establishing Komunitas Rumah Sahabat (community of disabled people focusing on music) in 2008-present