By: Reinardo Sinaga

PONTIANAK - The name Mayu Fentami has recently gone viral on social media, even online-based mass media. The girl born in Sintang, June 17, 1987, is not an art activist on the screen, or on social media applications. Mayu made her name in a prestigious event organized by the Alliance of Independent Journalists - AJI Indonesia entitled SK Trimurti Award 2017 in the 23rd Anniversary of the Alliance of Independent Journalists - AJI in Jakarta, Monday (7/8/17) night.

In Pontianak, Wednesday (9/8/17) Mayu and a team from WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program were invited to tell her story with a number of journalists and AJI Pontianak Management who carried her name in the award.

According to him, tension had occurred at the beginning. Because the nurse who is also a civil servant at the Bunut Hilir Community Health Center, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, did not expect, what he did for more than 3 years since 2013 until now, yielded unthinkable results.

At a press conference held by AJI Pontianak together with WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program, Mayu told a lot about how she got 'stranded' in Bunut Hilir, which is like a second home for her.
"In 2013, I was trying out for civil servants in Kapuas Hulu, then Alhamdulillah I was accepted and assigned to Bunut Hilir. I didn't know where it was, I thought it was just land. Eh, there was little land there, more rivers. I was afraid too, because I couldn't swim," he remembers with a laugh.

Having just set foot in Bunut Hilir, a number of Surasuta Community Radio administrators immediately asked him to become a broadcaster.

"When I just arrived there, I was still a new kid, I was asked to fill in the radio broadcast program, which I finally accepted, because I was considered a master, because I was a nurse. I filled the first year with reproductive health broadcasts, and because radio is the only one-way communication media there, most of what is conveyed is followed by the community, "he explained.

Time moved on. Mayu, who felt uncomfortable with inequality, damaged environmental conditions, the culture of throwing garbage in the river, to using hazardous chemicals to preserve food, and a low literacy culture, sparked her reason and heart to take on a role outside of her obligations as a Puskesmas Nurse.

With this desire, Mayu began to take part in one of the broadcast programs on Surasuta Community Radio. The program, called Bunut Sehat, became a paradigm-shifting propaganda tool.

"People are no longer cutting down trees, not throwing garbage into the river, quick response to diseases, we even found a community after hearing the broadcast, immediately reported that there was a cancer patient. That is one of the big achievements, only through radio," he said.

Not satisfied with that, he eventually tried to revive the 'KaCa' - Kapuas Reading House. Through a small library in the style of Mayu and Surasuta Community Radio volunteers, they were able to revive the literacy culture there.

"The children there love to read. It's just that there were no books to read, so when the library opened, we were overwhelmed because the enthusiasm of the residents, especially the children, was huge. They open their minds by reading, some even say that their world is not only Bunut, there are other places out there," he said.

After a year, Rumah 'KaCa', which rented a stall in Bunut Hilir, finally closed. The funds that Mayu had personally collected from her salary, and even help from a number of communities, were not enough to pay the rent. However, Mayu is not one to lose her mind. She took steps to create 'KaCa on the Road'.

"Together with 8 other volunteers, I used a bag to carry more than a hundred titles of books. The system is that we ride on a motorized canoe - speed boat. If there is an extension activity from the agency, we are asked to participate, to reach distant villages. At one point, I even fell in the water, getting wet along with the books and bags. The reason was that my footing was wrong on the wood, it was an experience that I will never forget," he joked.

Gifted SK Trimurti 2017 Award

Striving for change, and a better environment, finally led Mayu Fentami, a nurse at the Bunut Hilir Health Center, Bunut Hilir District, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan to win the 2017 SK Trimurti award in the 23rd Anniversary of the Alliance of Indonesian Journalists (AJI) at the Aryaduta Hotel, Central Jakarta, Monday (7/8) night.

Mayu was selected from 18 other candidates who were considered to have taken action to fight for change. This award is given by AJI in an effort to remember and honor women fighters and national heroes, who are also journalists, Soerastri Karma Trimurti.

From the jury's observations, this veiled woman was chosen because she had done more than her obligations as a State Civil Apparatus (ASN).

The woman born in Sintang on June 17, 1987, hopes that the programs that have been running in community radio and Rumah Kapuas Membaca can grow further. They are indeed faced with the obstacle of not having a permanent place and not being able to broadcast during the day, due to limited electricity.

"For me and my friends, providing benefits is an obligation that we must live without any strings attached. The support of the community and the enthusiasm of the children of Bunut Hilir 'the land of a thousand lakes' is what keeps us fighting," he said.

WWF Flagship

The birth of Mayu's name was not 'arbitrary'. This was conveyed by the Technical Support Unit - TSU Leader WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program, Jimmy Syahirsyah.

According to him, WWF has been working on empowerment for the sustainability of the environment now and in the future since 2011 in Bunut Hilir. Starting from the Panda CLICK! program that tries to invite people to care about the environment through photography.

"This program is successful, and can change the paradigm of the people there. Because the people themselves are the photographers. Sensitivity to things that are unequal, began to be shot by them through the loaned camera. And as a result, they are more aware, and more concerned about the environment, especially about health there," said Jimmy.

In the course of the program, at the initiative of the residents, WWF finally helped to form Surasuta Community Radio which in the future will change the mindset and behavior of the people there. The presence of Mayu for WWF is a good way, to help empowerment work. Moreover, this is a community initiative. Even outside the program, Mayu works a lot with other volunteers to improve the culture of literacy.

"WWF feels very helped, and the award received is no joke. To be able to achieve this among the likes of Najwa Shihab, Eva Bande, Sister Sicily is extraordinary. We are proud of this achievement," he said.

Jimmy explained about what WWF is doing in Bunut Hilir. "In 2013, the idea to establish a community radio emerged, aiming to serve as a medium of information and public awareness. This radio station has a mission to conserve the Kapuas River. The number of active listeners currently recorded is around 700 people, the broadcast radius covers 4 sub-districts. The villages include Teluk Aur, Empangau, Nanga Tuan, Tembang and Bunut Hulu. In addition to Bunut Hilir sub-district, there are three other sub-districts in Kapuas Hulu, namely Jongkong, Embaloh Hilir, and Boyan Tanjung," Jimmy explained.

Jimmy hopes that, from these achievements, volunteers in community radio and Kapuas Reading can be triggered to do the same. "The point is that WWF is very supportive and responds positively to the initiative of the residents there. Moreover, the awards obtained are indeed very encouraging for all parties, including us, to further improve programs that are more appropriate, and needed by the community," he concluded.

AJI Pontianak proposal

Mayu's name appeared unexpectedly by AJI Pontianak Secretary Reinardo Sinaga. According to him, in the last days before the closing of SK Trimurti's nomination, July 27, 2017, not a single name had been proposed.
"I am a bit confused. Because from the search, no one has submitted. I have announced it to Whatsapp groups, but no one responded. Until finally I met the WWF communication staff, Ismu Widjaya, and explained the name Mayu, "he explained.

Pulling deeper memories, Reinardo, who is intimately called Edho, finally landed on the name Mayu for the story he had heard from Mayu's fellow volunteer and broadcaster Rakom Surasuta, Siti Halijah or by the air name 'Jeng I'. Not waiting long, he finally clarified everywhere. Layered verification was not spared to subsequently send Mayu's name as a candidate proposed by AJI Pontianak.

"Within three days I had to try to find out the truth of the story about Mayu. And sure enough, from all those contacted, Mayu did indeed do as told," he said.

Until the last day, Edho finally sent Mayu's name, and as it turned out, Dewi Fortuna sided with AJI Pontianak.

"This is the first time AJI Pontianak has sent an organization, and this is the first time it has been nominated, and this is the first time it has won. This is Ultra Petitum for AJI Pontianak. I didn't expect it either, but indeed what Mayu did, which was quiet from publication, was the reason my friends and I agreed to support her," he said.