Under the blue tarp supported by bamboo, which provides some shade from the scorching sun in an empty yard in Tambaksari Village, Poto Tano, West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, a group of women are seen peeling corn after the harvest.
Kiswanto (53) is spreading out the dried corn cobs. His wife, Hadiatullah (50), is peeling corn, assisted by their youngest daughter, Putri Atmawan Pujaningsih (18).
Four other women from the neighborhood are also helping to peel the corn harvested from Kiswanto’s family’s land, which measures less than one hectare and is under a land-use permit from a company.
“This year’s harvest is a bit less,” Hadia said, adding that the average corn harvest is only once a year.
The mother of three can plant corn twice yearly if the weather is good and the rainy season is favorable. She averages 5-6 tons per hectare, earning about IDR 10-12 million.
“The income from the harvest depends on the prices. We might bring home IDR 12 million, which is then divided to pay laborers, debts, and to buy seeds and fertilizers,” she explained.
As the corn planting season is uncertain, Hadia and her husband also tend to their neighbor’s goats besides managing their cornfield.
“We used to have two goats, but we have five after five years. We share them with the owner. If there’s an urgent need, we ask permission to sell some,” she said.
Sometimes, she asks her daughter, Putri, to take care of the goats after school until her father comes home from his job as a non-permanent agricultural extension worker.
“Sometimes, I ask her to wait under the tamarind tree while studying,” she recalled.
Though the income from corn farming is uncertain, Hadia still feels grateful, especially with the additional honorarium that her husband receives as a non-permanent employee at the West Sumbawa Agricultural Office.
Kiswanto shared that he has been working as a non-permanent employee since 2008 after leaving his job at a shrimp farming company near the Poto Tano port.
Initially, he earned IDR 400,000, which increased to IDR 700,000 three years later. Then, about four years after that, it rose to around one million rupiahs.
“When asked if it’s enough, a person never feels satisfied. But from a religious perspective, we should be grateful,” he said.
Even with limited financial means, Kiswanto and Hadia always motivated their three daughters to pursue higher education. They were worried when Putri intended to apply to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) through the academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNBP).
“I was a bit hesitant, afraid that I wouldn’t get the tuition assistance from the government (KIP) and that my father wouldn’t be able to afford it because my sibling is still in college. My father said I couldn’t continue if I didn’t get into a state university. But I still dared to apply through the SNBP, praying and hoping I could pass,” Putri said.
Putri acknowledged her family’s financial situation and never asked much for her wants and needs while attending school. Her father takes her to Poto Tano State High School 1 every morning.
She actively participates in various school activities, such as student council, scouting, and marching band. Academically, Putri consistently achieved the top position in her class.
“I’ve always been first place in high school. Whenever there’s homework, I’m the first to hand it in,” Putri said.
After school, Putri spends time studying in her room. Even when asked to take care of the goats released around, she doesn’t hesitate to bring books or study using the internet on her mobile phone. Tending to goats or cows is an additional activity for Tambaksari residents who rely solely on rainfed agriculture.
“If we’re not farming, we tend to the cows and goats here,” she added.
Studying at UGM has been Putri’s dream since junior high school. She worked hard and achieved excellent academic performance to realize her dream. Fortunately, she was accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at the Faculty of Dentistry.
“I’ve always wanted to study at UGM. It’s a favorite campus with many applicants. Who wouldn’t want to study at the best university in Indonesia?” she said.
After completing her studies, Putri aspires to dedicate herself as a dental health care professional in her hometown.
“I want to work in a hospital, serving in my region,” she said.
Putri is one of the new students at UGM who was accepted with a 100% tuition subsidy. This is a relief for Putri still remembers the exact moment she found out she had been admitted to UGM, crying in her bed until her mother asked her what was wrong, to which she said, “I got accepted, Mom.” Then her mother wept with happiness.
Not long after, her father returned from tending the goats. She said, “Dad, I got accepted into UGM!” joyfully.
She cherished her memories of that day when she hugged her father on the porch of their house, and her father said, “Thank God, you made it, my child, you got accepted.”
Author and photographer: Gusti Grehenson