Dedicated to the Orphans
Sister Agnes Marni SJMJ, 63, and Sister Nicola SJMJ, 73, devote all their love to orphans and those babies born from extramarital relations. Since 2011, they have cared for children from various family, religious, ethnic and culture backgrounds, until the families take the children back.
While singing, Sister Agnes cuddled a 10-month-old baby boy and she carried him out of the living room to the park. Not long after, Agnes rushed back in holding the baby\'s diaper as the baby had pooped. With patience, Agnes cleaned and replaced the baby\'s pants.
Sister Agnes Marni SJMJ (Sister Jesus Maria Joseph), Sister Nicola SJMJ, Sister Natalia Hane SJMJ and six caregivers help one another to care for 31 children, from toddlers to teenagers, at the Bunda Serayu Orphanage in Banyumas, Central Java. The orphanage, which was founded in 2011 on the idea of the then bishop of Purwokerto, Mgr Julianus Sunarka SJ, has housed as many as 40 children from various family, religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Those children generally have lived in the orphanage since babyhood for various reasons. There were those whose fathers or mothers died; some came from poor families; some from troubled families or were born out of marriage.
"One of these babies, her mother is still in high school," Agnes, who serves as head of the orphanage, said on Tuesday (20/8/2019).
During her time as a nun for almost 40 years, most of Agnes\' work was to accompany and care for children in the orphanage and boarding house. She served 10 years at the Melania Orphanage in Manado in the 1980s. Also, she accompanied students at the dormitory of a nursing academy in Makassar, Abepura, Jayapura and then the Bunda Serayu Orphanage in Banyumas in early 2019. Sister Agnes accompanied the middle and high school children in the dormitory in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands.
Affection
According to Agnes, young people who are not ready to have children fall into promiscuity for various reasons. The babies who are born without sin share the burden. "Clearly, these children need sincere affection," she said.
These children are innocent. Poor. Usually the children sleep in the arms of their parents – their fathers and mothers. Here, they sleep individually. Sometimes I am moved to tears, touched.
Located on Jalan Karangsawah 507, Banyumas, the orphanage under the Wahyo Bawono Foundation is right next to the Santa Maria Immaculata Banyumas Catholic Church. In a special room, there are five babies in each box. They are 3 months, 10 months and 15 months old. The caregivers at the orphanage are called "Bude".
"These children are innocent. Poor. Usually the children sleep in the arms of their parents – their fathers and mothers. Here, they sleep individually. Sometimes I am moved to tears, touched," said Nicola, the secretary of the orphanage who has been caring for these children since 2016.
Living with these children for three years made Nicola learn many things, including from the children\'s innocence, honesty and not holding grudges. "The children, after competing or fighting over toys, can then play together again, joking with each other," she said.
The closeness of children to the nurses and caregivers in this orphanage is so important for the growth of children, especially to heal the emotional wounds of longing for the parents\' love. On the other hand, it is very rare for their parents to come visit to see their children. Apart from being busy, their parents are also mostly in cities far from Banyumas. "There are also children who have never been visited by their parents, from infants to elementary school age," Nicola said.
Return to family
Sister Nicola said that, around 2017, there was a boy who was almost 6 years old at the orphanage. This child was left as a baby because the mother was still studying at a medical school. After she finished her education and became a doctor, the mother wanted to take her child home, but the boy refused. He did not want to go. The same thing happened when the grandmother and uncle of this child came to Banyumas to pick him up. After being persuaded that they would buy him sweets, this child was ready to drive away with them. However, during the trip, this child continued to cry and asked to return to the orphanage.
Giving the children back to their parents, added Agnes, is the goal of the orphanage. The orphanage did not allow for anyone to adopt.
"By returning the children to their parents, the children get what they are entitled to and at the same time the parents can be accountable to their children," she said.
We are open if there are donors who want to provide scholarships.
The operation of the orphanage is supported by the Purwokerto diocese and generous donors. The cost per month is an average of Rp 2 million per child. Only a few parents send money for their children\'s living expenses in this orphanage. In addition, this institution still needs scholarship assistance or funds for children\'s education. "We are open if there are donors who want to provide scholarships," Sister Agnes said.
Both Sister Agnes and Sister Nicola said they hope that young people today are more careful when getting along together. Innocent children who were born to unprepared parents really need love.
Sister Agnes Marni SJMJ
Born: Yogyakarta, 21 July 1956
Education:
- SDN Condongcatur
- SMP Kanisius Kentungan
- SMEA Marsudiluhur Yogyakarta.
Job:
- February 2019-present: Bunda Serayu Orphanage, Banyumas.
Sister Nicola SJMJ
Born: Blitar, 1 January 1946, fourth child in a family of 10 children
Education:
- SDN Talun III Blitar
- SMPN Wlingi Blitar
- Cooperative High School in Lumajang
Job:
- 2016-present: Bunda Serayu Orphanage, Banyumas.