The nail that sticks out gets hammered down

                                 --The nail that sticks out gets hammered down--

January 12^th, 2012.

I visited my cousin last Tuesday to help me gather information and data needed for my survey. According to her suggestion, it would be better for me to introduce the project that I am going to conduct to the people myself. I was a little nervous as I was known as a rebel during my childhood. I can’t read and sing Islamic prayers, as I only accept the simplest version of prayers. I consider the singing are not compulsory. But I decided to do her suggestion after all.

So this evening, I went to the community leader, asking for his permission to conduct the survey, by asking the parents of elementary school students residing in this village, about their children’s difficulty in learning, and whether they would assist their children if a free learning assistant is given.

Every Thursday evening, moms are gathering to pray together, we call it Tahlil. They occasionally discuss issues they face after prayers, and what they want to do to solve them. And I believe, this is a perfect moment to introduce my plan.

I texted my sister, as she has the same amount of interest toward this project. She decided to come home, and accompany me. For this, I was more than happy to have her by my side as she has a more positive image in front of the people’s eyes.

We finally went to the gathering. My cousin promised to be there, but she didn’t come. And after a half of the agenda, my aunt suggested that we talk to them right after the singing is done, as my sister is going to sing the prayer and she can proceed and talk directly. My sister started to talk, in front of the people.

The expression was combination of enthusiasm, ignorance, and jealousy. I cut my sister, since I wanted to say something that she didn’t cover. And that came to my surprise was the most annoying interruption came from the least anticipated person in the village. This person was asking about money, the possibility of founding an organization, and what would be the end result of the project. I didn’t want to touch this area, as I could not promise the people anything. But this person kept asking and saying that she is representing everyone’s thought, whereas I see no one wondering about these. I was overwhelmed, and my sister helped to answer the question. The attention of the room broke, and people were not focus anymore. I finally said that, this is the only thing I can do for the community for now. I grew up here, I got better chances and I want the children to do better in the future. They were quiet.

In the end of our talk, one of the respected women called to have me and my sister at her house. She is the person who knows the prayers by heart, and teaches children to read Al-Quran. I thought she didn’t care about her children’s education, and she is the last person I expect to be enthusiastic about this. But there was something in her eyes that made me convinced that her intention is deeper than that. And it bumped up my confidence in front of everyone.

Me and my sister followed her, and she introduced us to her children. I was surprised that her eldest daughter knew me, and asked what I am doing at home instead of Jakarta. It shows that she cares about the graduate degree I am taking.

We started the talk, about the kids learning process and everything. But that was not her interest. She only wanted my suggestion, since her oldest daughter wants to go to college whereas she thinks, her family cannot afford to pay he living cost and tuition fee. I talked to her daughter, and I was surprised to see how smart she is.

I could only say that I am going to give her references about schools that might be suitable to her daughter’s interest. And she and her family would be able to discuss this issue internally and decide which one is the best. I suggested them not to talk to anyone else who is not a family member that will leak the plan since if the plan is not succeeded, the impact would make her family unpleasant by listening to people’s talk that is mostly discouraging. This suggestion was based on personal experience, remembering I talked to the wrong person about my plan that finally it causes an ‘almost’ chaos in the gathering when I talked.


** The picture is taken from here http://www.flickr.com/photos/fenster303/3084075396/