Etty Nuzuliyanti, Creating a Future for the Disabled
Since interacting with differently abled people in 2011, Etty Nuzuliyanti has faced challenges. The assistance that comes from various places has not necessarily helped disabled persons solve their problems. She has also tried to navigate the world of the disabled to find the root of the problems that needs to be focused on, namely those surrounding mental issues.
While working on a community empowerment program for an international oil company in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Etty often made programs for the disabled. At that time, she met many differently abled people with different problems.
Etty has realized that people with disabilities due to incidents usually have mental problems. Some of them feel helpless because parts of there limbs are lost, for example. They are often discouraged because they think they cannot work normally because of physical limitations.
“People who are not disabled from birth tend to have mental problems. They should not be treated differently. If we look at and treat them the same as other people, the impact is positive,” Etty said at her house on Jl. Padat Karya RT 003 No. 35 Muara Rapak, North Balikpapan, Balikpapan, on Friday (26/4/2019).
Armed with experience she had while working, the 55-year-old woman designed a batik business by empowering the disabled in 2015. She sent two disabled persons to Yogyakarta to study batik for 1.5 months.
A year later, she ran the business under the An Niera Batik Balikpapan brand. Again, she invited disabled people in Balikpapan that she knew. Most of them have problems with their legs due to accidents. One of them, Juniadi, 50, had an accident at work and had to get his right leg removed in 2008. He could not keep his job because of his physical condition.
Etty chose the batik-making activity because at that time batik was increasingly popular in various regions since it was recognized as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO on Oct. 2, 2009. In addition, batik-making activities can also be done anywhere and do not require a lot of physical activity.
At present, there are 10 people with disabilities that actively make batik at An Niera Batik through the methods of hand-drawing, stamping and printing. Three people actively work at An Niera’s shop and production house and the remaining work at home.
“Those who work at home are mostly women. They do the hand-drawing process at home so they can also do other activities,” Etty said.
The honorarium for doing the hand-drawing process at home is between Rp 90,000 and Rp 100,000 per cloth, depending on the complexity of the batik motif. Meanwhile, those who work daily in the production house receive funds for transportation and food and a monthly salary of more than Rp 2 million.
Local batik
Batik that is produced at An Niera uses typical Balikpapan motifs. Previously, Balikpapan did not have a batik motif. From 2012 to 2015, the Balikpapan City administration held a contest to create a batik with a motif that is typical of Balikpapan, known as the “city of oil”. One of the motifs proposed by Etty was accepted and patented as the quintessential Balikpapan batik. It has a motif of mangrove fruits.
In addition to individual customers, at present, the batik motif is used by institutions in various fields, such as schools, hotels and government. Even so, Etty’s efforts did not always go smoothly. Some clients are often late in paying their orders months after the orders are delivered.
Under such circumstances, she and her husband, Subandrio, 57, have to manage the money in such a way that the salaries for those who work at An Niera do not get paid too late.
Even though she was in a hard struggle, Etty did not give up. The enthusiasm and joy of the disabled made her stand up again when faced with problems in the business.
Etty provides full provisions for people who work with An Niera. The batik artisans at An Niera are able to carry out various complicated processes of making batik. They start by making natural dyes made from wood extract then hand draw, color and boil batik cloth. This experience can help them to one day work independently.
Falling sick
Etty was born in Madiun, East Java, on Jan. 31, 1964. After graduating from high school, she decided to study at the Indonesian Literature Department of the Faculty of Culture at Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. Since then, she has learned to live independently.
She looked for scholarships so as not to burden her parents, who work as teachers and still bear the costs of her six siblings. Etty was also active in various campus activities, joining the scouts, the student executive body and student movement organizations.
After college, Etty easily got a job. For about 30 years of work, Etty was known as a sociable and hardworking person.
In 2017, Etty was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. Still today, she requires dialysis twice a week.
She cannot work hard for the doctors have recommended that she rest. She was told not to move too much because it could have an impact on her health. The disease makes Etty easily tired.
Her weight is shrinking. She also needs to use a wheelchair to move. If she has a lot of thoughts, she gets headaches. For this reason, Etty strives to control herself in order to remain strong in facing challenges.
Knowing that there is much work to do has strengthened her mentality. She is grateful to have a strong husband and two children who are loving in such conditions.
The sickness that she suffers has changed her life. In the past, Etty was very independent. At present, she needs the help of others just to move around the house.
However, she has not given up because she wants to continue shaping her future and those around her through batik making. “It is my physical self that has fallen ill. My soul is healthy,” Etty said.
Etty Nuzuliyanti
Born: Madiun, Jan. 31, 1964
Husband: Subandrio, 57
Children: Andya Tiara Nafisah, 21, and Nisrina Kirana Alya, 12
Education: Bachelor in Indonesian Literature from Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta
Work experience: Community Engagement Specialist Policy, Government & Public Affairs Department, Chevron Indonesia Company Balikpapan, 2005-2016 Award:
- Marketer of the Year 2017 by MarkPlus, Balikpapan
- “City Branding of Balikpapan” Balikpapan City Administration, 2014
- Teladan Award 2012.