"I used to really want to go to school, but I couldn't because I didn't have the money," said Mama Karolina. This is what motivated Mama Karolina to encourage her children to go to college like her childhood dream.
Mama Karolina lives in Mbatakapidu Village, East Sumba. She is known as a strong and inspiring figure, with a passion for encouraging independent women around her. Mama Karolina realized that many women in her village were struggling economically, even though they had extraordinary skills. As the treasurer of the Joint Savings and Loans Business (UBSP), Mama Karolina was self-taught. Armed with books, pens, and rulers, she recorded UBSP's finances in detail. UBSP itself was founded 8 years ago, and is still active with 16 members, and routinely holds an annual RAT.
Initially, Mama Karolina and her husband gathered women in their village and shared their vision. She proposed forming a cooperative that could help them manage the business together. Initially, many were skeptical, but Mama Karolina's passion and belief made them start to believe.
The beginning of UBSP was formed due to the limited job market which made some residents have no income, while needs including children's school and daily needs continued to increase. UBSP initially had five members with contributions starting from two thousand to ten thousand. Currently, UBSP has a savings fund of 30 million rupiah. What was initially only a basic savings, is now divided into several savings, such as children's savings (for education and sick children), death savings and even wedding savings.
"With this cooperative, women no longer have to worry about school fees and other things, because usually mothers borrow for their children's school fees," said Mama Karolina.
UBSP also has a business unit by collecting capital from the sale of handicrafts such as woven goods and traditional foods from cooperative members. They support each other and share knowledge, from marketing methods to financial management. Pandan weaving is one of the products produced by residents, they make weaving for bags, betel nut holders, and other crafts.
The success of this cooperative has not only brought economic impact, but also changed the way society views women. Mama Karolina is a role model, showing that women can be independent and contribute more to the community.
However, Mama Karolina is not satisfied with the current conditions. She wants the UBSP that she pioneered to be able to develop further and receive support from the government. Especially in the management of sustainable cooperatives. Maybe at this time books and pens are still the mainstay, but the three members are increasing, the use of technology is also needed, and Mama Karolina and other cooperative administrators must continue to learn and continue to adapt to the times.
Mama Karolina's enthusiasm and tenacity are worthy of being an example. In the midst of limited education, she continues to study and never gives up. The Bumi Lestari Institute through the Estungkara program, which is currently assisting UBSP since 2022, has helped in the preparation of SOPs for cooperative management and also helped in preparing UBSP's Articles of Association.
Author: Ulvi Monica Aulia _ Pundi Sumatra
(Field story at Inclusion Days by Partnership)
