In the cool middle of the day, Regina Siki operates her wooden loom in Kefamenanu, North Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Strand by strand she weaves until she almost forms the beautiful cloth typical of Bumi Flobamora.
Not only weaving, Regina has also opened a vegetable trading business in a stall that she built since 2012. Previously, it had never occurred to Regina to seek a living in her hometown. Due to the limited choice of employment opportunities, the dream of becoming a migrant worker in Malaysia was often thought of by residents in Kefamenanu, including Regina.
Apparently the promise of a big salary working in the neighboring country was just a bluff from labor brokers. Instead of earning a lot of money, Regina actually received inhumane treatment while working as a household assistant (ART). Her salary was also cut a lot by her employer.
Former migrant workers with problems in Malaysia, Regina Siki weaves traditional cloth in Sasi, Kefamenanu.
Efata Center officers from the Ministry of Social Affairs UPT provide assistance to former migrant workers with problems in Malaysia, Regina Siki (center) while weaving traditional cloth in Sasi, Kefamenanu.
Fed up with that dark experience, Regina finally decided to return to NTT. She started trying by opening a vegetable stall with the remaining savings. Although it was a bit difficult, Regina's stall slowly continued to increase its turnover.
Eleven years have passed, God's love greeted Regina through the empowerment program for former victims of Human Trafficking (TPPO) and problematic Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from the Ministry of Social Affairs.
From the program, Regina not only received skills training, but also business capital of around IDR 13 million. "I used the money to develop a shop and realize my old dream as a weaver," said Regina.
Former migrant workers with problems in Malaysia, Regina Siki waits at a vegetable and basic food stall in Sasi, Kefamenanu.
Former migrant workers in Malaysia, Yakobus Sasi arranges merchandise at a basic food stall from capital assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs in North Oenenu, Kefamenanu.
Her hard work is now reaping smiles. In fact, her two children can go to college from the proceeds of the shop and weaving.
Of the same opinion, Yohanis Nismeto also rebuilt his dream in Kupang after his eight-year journey working in Malaysia ended in prison. The 38-year-old man was furious because his passport and work visa had long expired and had not been extended by the placement agent. In fact, that was the agent's obligation according to the agreement in the work contract letter.
The Indonesian government finally embraced Yohanis after his release from prison in Malaysia. The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Kupang Efata Center picked him up and brought him home to Indonesia.
Efata Center officers from the Ministry of Social Affairs UPT provide assistance to former migrant worker Marselus Ariyanto Naisoko (left) in carpentry skills in Tubuhue, Kefamenanu.
Former migrant worker Simon Lake (left) cultivates California papaya in his hometown in Tubuhue, Kefamenanu.
However, he did not immediately return to his village in Amfoang, an NTT region bordering Oekusi Ambeno District, Timor Leste. He was taken to the Ministry of Social Affairs' rehabilitation and training center in Naibonat, Kupang Regency.
There he was rehabilitated and trained in skills so that he could rise again after going through a dark period in Malaysia. For a month he received training in agriculture, workshops and animal husbandry.
After trying to learn a number of skills, Yohanis finally decided to choose chicken farming as a business in his village. Yohanis prayed that his livestock plan would be successful in Amfoang so that he would no longer need to go abroad to earn money.
Former migrant worker Simon Lake shows California papaya fruit cultivated in his hometown in Tubuhue, Kefamenanu.
Former migrant worker with problems in Malaysia, Yohanis Nismeto (left) attends vegetable gardening training at the Efata Center, Ministry of Social Affairs UPT, Naibonat, Kupang Regency.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Efata Kupang Center has rehabilitated 46 former victims of human trafficking and problematic workers from NTT, both working domestically and abroad since 2023.
Head of the Kupang Efata Center Disaster Cluster Working Group, Muhammad Saibuddin, said that the beneficiaries had received assistance for a year since receiving capital assistance. "Every three months we evaluate their development," said Muhammad.
With low education and no special skills, former migrant workers who have returned to NTT have the potential to migrate again to other regions. Therefore, Muhammad hopes that the recipients of the Ministry of Social Affairs assistance can succeed and be independent with the new skills they have.
Former migrant worker with problems in Malaysia, Yohanis Nismeto (right) attends chicken farming training at the Efata Center, Ministry of Social Affairs UPT, Naibonat, Kupang Regency.
Former migrant worker with problems in Malaysia, Yohanis Nismeto (right) attends chicken farming training at the Efata Center, Ministry of Social Affairs UPT, Naibonat, Kupang Regency.
Not only weaving hope, the struggle of former TPPO and problematic PMI to rise again to be independent in their hometowns is also part of the effort to build this country.
Former migrant worker with problems in Malaysia, Yohanis Nismeto carries eggs while attending chicken farming training at the Efata Center, Ministry of Social Affairs UPT, Naibonat, Kupang Regency.
Former migrant worker in Malaysia, Yudith Bana holds chickens at her livestock business which received capital assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs in Sasi, Kefamenanu.
