I told the agent, “Don’t treat this Indonesian girl like garbage. She’s a human being and she’s somebody’s daughter. She has parents who are worried about her, and are praying that she does not come to any harm.”
That happened a year ago. Ira came from Indonesia to work in Malaysia. Her parents became frantically worried when they did not hear from her for one whole year – not a single phone call or letter. They started to look for her. I was asked to help in this case.
I managed to trace the agent who brought Ira into the country but the agent refused to meet me. Neither did the agent allow me to speak to Ira. Soon after this, Ira’s parents received a letter from her. After my friendly harassment, I was hoping that the agent would treat Ira in a more humane way.
Another year passed. In August this year, Ira called her parents to say that she was all set to go home because her work permit was expiring. The parents waited. August came and went. In September, the worried parents rang the agent who said that all flights to Jakarta were fully booked since August. What? They said they would try to put Ira on the plane in September. September passed. Then, the agent promised to send Ira back on a certain date in October. They did not honour their word.
I was asked to help again. I called the agent and negotiated for Ira’s safe release. My priority was to ensure that she returns home in one piece. Sadly, Ira had to lose half of her hard earned money.
Sometimes, I get depressed asking questions on humanity. Asking why there are people who treat others with cruelty. Asking why they were born without kindness and compassion.
After Ira had reached home, her mother called my mobile phone, “Alhamdulillah, Ira sudah selamat pulang.” She thanked me over and over again.
After the phone call came this sms:
“Trima kasih bantuannya keluarganya dsini, mngucapkan bnyak bnyak trimakasih. Kami brsyukur KEPADA ALLAH, dengan melalui anda ira pulang dengan selamat”
It brought tears to my eyes. I never expected the phone call nor the sms. The family is from a small village in rural Indonesia, and I never imagined that they would go to such lengths to reach me. They do not even have a telephone at home.
The response from Indonesia has put my faith back in humanity.
That happened a year ago. Ira came from Indonesia to work in Malaysia. Her parents became frantically worried when they did not hear from her for one whole year – not a single phone call or letter. They started to look for her. I was asked to help in this case.
I managed to trace the agent who brought Ira into the country but the agent refused to meet me. Neither did the agent allow me to speak to Ira. Soon after this, Ira’s parents received a letter from her. After my friendly harassment, I was hoping that the agent would treat Ira in a more humane way.
Another year passed. In August this year, Ira called her parents to say that she was all set to go home because her work permit was expiring. The parents waited. August came and went. In September, the worried parents rang the agent who said that all flights to Jakarta were fully booked since August. What? They said they would try to put Ira on the plane in September. September passed. Then, the agent promised to send Ira back on a certain date in October. They did not honour their word.
I was asked to help again. I called the agent and negotiated for Ira’s safe release. My priority was to ensure that she returns home in one piece. Sadly, Ira had to lose half of her hard earned money.
Sometimes, I get depressed asking questions on humanity. Asking why there are people who treat others with cruelty. Asking why they were born without kindness and compassion.
After Ira had reached home, her mother called my mobile phone, “Alhamdulillah, Ira sudah selamat pulang.” She thanked me over and over again.
After the phone call came this sms:
“Trima kasih bantuannya keluarganya dsini, mngucapkan bnyak bnyak trimakasih. Kami brsyukur KEPADA ALLAH, dengan melalui anda ira pulang dengan selamat”
It brought tears to my eyes. I never expected the phone call nor the sms. The family is from a small village in rural Indonesia, and I never imagined that they would go to such lengths to reach me. They do not even have a telephone at home.
The response from Indonesia has put my faith back in humanity.
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