Lost in East Nusa Tenggara - My Humanity Project

Perjalanan menuju Amfoang Utara untuk menemui Jitron dan keluarganya. Berawal dari kebun Kopi Leloboko yang berlokasi di dekat bukit indah Lelogama. Kelompok Tani “Titbok”, beranggotakan 27 orang, dengan komoditi yang mereka tanam adalah tanaman pangan dan salah satunya Kopi. Berlokasi di keluarahan Lelogama, kecamatan Amfoang Selatan, kabupaten Kupang dan ketua mereka adalah Yahuda Baisila. Saya menginap di rumah pak Yahuda dan berteman dengan anaknya yang Bernama Efer. Saya tiba di rumah mereka pada pukul 12.25 malam, dikarenakan saya berangkat dari kota Kupang pada pukul 9 malam. Setibanya di bukit Lelogama, saya dijemput oleh anaknya Efer dan langsung menuju ke rumah mereka. Berlanjut ke perkenalan Bersama dengan anaknya, karena memang kami baru saja bertemu dan selama ini hanya berkabar melalui WhatssApp saja. Sambil menikmati segelas Kopi hitam, kami bercerita dan berbagi pengalaman. Setelah minum Kopi langsung kami tidur. Berlanjut pagi harinya saya diajak berkeliling di kebun...

  Kami Teman Tuli, Jangan Kalian Tuli dengan Kesulitan Kami Dohe, seorang anak laki-laki berusia 20 tahun dengan sepasang mata dan senyum yang selalu ceria, sedang menikmati liburan di kampung halamannya di Pulau Sabu. Dohe berbeda dari teman-temannya yang lain, ia seorang teman Tuli. Menjadi teman Tuli di pulau kecil itu memberikan Dohe banyak sekali tantangan dan minimnya akses baginya, ia harus bersekolah di kota yang jauh dari kampung halamannya. Di sana, ia bisa menemukan sekolah yang inklusif dan fasilitas serta pelayanan yang jauh lebih baik dari tempat ia berasal. Sabu, pulau kecil yang penuh dengan keindahan alam, selalu menjadi tempat favorit Dohe untuk melepas penat. Di sini, ia bisa bermain bersama teman-temannya, membantu orang tua di ladang, dan menikmati makanan tradisional. Namun, kebahagiaan Dohe harus berakhir ketika waktu liburan hampir selesai. Ia harus kembali ke kota untuk melanjutkan sekolah. Hari keberangkatan pun tiba. Dohe sangat sedih harus meningga...

As a photographer lover and disability rights activist, I believe in the power of visual storytelling to raise awareness, inspire change, and challenge stereotypes. I have developed my skills in social media content and most of my photography focuses on humanitarian issues, with a particular emphasis on inclusivity. I aim to capture the human side of these stories, highlighting the resilience, strength, and unique perspectives of individuals living with disabilities. Through my lens, I strive to create images that are both evocative and informative, sparking conversations and promoting empathy. I believe that photography and videography can be a powerful tool for advocacy and social change. With 6 years of experience working with several NGOs or organizations, I have had the privilege of documenting the lives of individuals with GEDSI in various communities. My work has taken me to all islands in East Nusa Tenggara provinces, where I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and...

Under the scorching Sumbanese sun, a special event named DISKOIN (Inclusive Coffee Discussion) is set to enliven the island of Pasola. This event is initiated by myself, together with local youth and of course, the Sumba Deaf Community, with the aim of opening up a space for dialogue and enhancing public understanding of Sumba Coffee and the Deaf community in Sumba. DISKOIN offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere at a local coffee shop called Mata Rammu Cafe (located in front of SMK Pancasila Tambolaka). It is hoped that the fragrant aroma of coffee, combined with the laughter and chatter of the participants, will create an inclusive and comfortable atmosphere for all. Amidst the bustling crowd, a pair of hands will move gracefully, weaving words into sentences in Indonesian Sign Language. One of the most memorable moments was the learning session on Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO) and Indonesian Sign System (SIBI). It was hoped that the participants would enthusiastically engage wit...

My personal trajectory has been characterized by periods of both growth and adversity. The experience of a quarter-life crisis was particularly arduous. The accompanying psychological distress, manifested in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, led to a profound sense of existential uncertainty. These emotional challenges culminated in significant social withdrawal and a retreat into isolation.   Figure 1: A post-event snapshot with the Kupang Menyeduh community features the chairperson of the Kupang Deaf Community, prominently positioned in the rear center wearing a red shirt. Amidst these bleak circumstances, a glimmer of hope emerged upon encountering the Kupang Deaf Community. Within this community, I discovered a warm and accepting friendship from individuals who truly understood the challenges I faced. Ironically, at a time when I was withdrawing from social interactions due to the overwhelming noise around me, I met deaf friends who provided me with a sense of co...

  Nestled in the tranquility of nature, the camp reverberated with the joyous laughter and enthusiastic spirits of fellow comrades. This camping experience was unlike any other, as it brought together deaf and hearing individuals in a meaningful adventure. Throughout our time in nature, we worked side-by-side to erect tents, explore the wilderness, and engage in various exhilarating activities. Without the barriers of difference, we learned about the natural world, practiced collaborative problem-solving, and forged strong bonds of friendship.     Figure 1: A geographical location of the Inclusive Camp at Pero Beach, Kodi District, Southwest Sumba. The camp comprised a group of three deaf and four hearing individuals.   Figure 2: The location is at Bukit Bondo Ngaingo, Wewewa Timur District, Southwest Sumba. This inclusive camp consisted of two deaf participants and four hearing participants. Bridging the Communication Gap One of the primary challenges encounte...