Hello, My name is Ana Luthfiyatun Nadhifah, often called Nadhif. I live in Wonosekar village, Gembong sub-district, Pati district, with my father and sister. Last March I turned 23 years old. I currently work as an early childhood assistant at Paud Joglo (Joglo School). I also have an older sister who now lives in Semarang with her husband. Initially we were only two siblings with me as the last child. In 2011, our parents adopted a 3-month-old baby girl from our cousin. She grew up with us until now. Even so, the three of us feel like siblings.
I stay at Joglo School with the children until 2:00 pm every day. After returning home I rest a bit, sometimes I also do laundry, cooking, or ironing. Every Tuesday I assist one of the Joglo students at his home for about an hour. In the evening I finish any unfinished work. Of course, in between these activities there is time that I must spare for worship (prayer and recitation of the Qur’an). I also volunteer in Joglo Peace Library as a Librarian and am learning a lot.
I started to build a culture of peace by appreciating and respecting myself more. I think that bringing peace from within ourselves will make it easier to bring peace to other people and the environment. I learned a lot about how to train others to create a culture of peace and live without violence. This has helped me when I assist children at school, especially those with special needs.
What makes my life meaningful and makes me feel hopeful is managing to survive. A year ago I was admitted to the ICU for 6 days. I went through a critical period and coma. After I regained consciousness, I felt that there was something beautiful waiting ahead. Maybe I should get well, go to her and make it real. I believe everything has its place and time.
With the limitations that I have, my friends from Friends Peace Teams-AWP in Indonesia voluntarily embrace me and make me feel that I deserve to be friends with anyone here. I am more able to appreciate what I have done and what others have done. We are friends and care for each other here.
Assisting a kid in Joglo Pre-School. Photo taken by Wiwit