Aini Abdul - photo by David Metcalf
Aini Abdul was born in a small village in West Kalimantan a father Dayak Iban and a Javanese mother. Nothing particularly unusual in this part of the third largest island in the world, but Aini is a very special person.
At age 14, this determined young woman decided to follow his father's footsteps and become a sailor. She joined the Navy to prove that she could do anything boys could do and hold its own against the opposite sex! After a year to prove himself in this activity, she decided that getting an education was more important, so she moved to the city of Palangkaraya and lived in a dorm with her sister, determined to finish school secondary and get good grades so she can qualify for entry to university.
Her parents struggled to pay the university fees Aini so she found something she could work as a cleaner, a cook and finally found a good source of income for making donuts to sell its friends and classmates. These efforts paid off when Aini graduated in 2007, opening the possibility for it to be a teacher.
In addition to a university graduate, is also a multilinguist Aini and speaks five languages; Banjar, Ngaju Language, Javanese, English and Japanese, which is a testament to his request and intelligence.
In 2008, Aini joined Kalimantan turn Destinations, a travel agency who now works four boats on Kahayan Rungan and rivers, taking tourists through these ancient rivers to see orangutans and visit the Dayak villages.
He was on these trips that she noticed that the children in the villages had no school and little educational support despite a willingness to learn.
Recalled how his parents struggled to support her studies she was determined to do something to help these children from poor families.
ThereTwo years Aini introduced Ransel Buku and convinced some of her teacher friends to help donate their time on weekends to teach children in villages. Whatever Aini could save money or tips she earned by working on the boat went straight into the purchase of books and school supplies for children.
Her determination to help others and to support the community has inspired others, including me, to help fund the project, which is now paid part-time teachers, school books, resources, supplies and a health program. Ransel Buku currently supports 70 children.
Aini is determined to continue to develop this program and spread to other villages in the region that are facing similar challenges. She sees her future in community development and empowering others to take steps to support communities in central Kalimantan and not sit and wait for the government to react.
I think Aini Abdul is a remarkable woman and a positive inspiration to those around her. It emerged from a difficult and humble education and proved that with the right attitude and determination, anything is possible.
If you wish to support Aini and its education programs in Kalimantan please donate to http://www.gofundme.com/Sitis-Dream. To support Ransel Buku, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/ranselbuku