Ni wayan Swani

Translated from Bahasa Indonesia

Introduction

My name is Ni Wayan Swani and I am 16 years old. I live here, at Bali Street Mums, and I am in 8th grade of junior high school. I go to SMP Pemecutan.

Living at Bali Street Mums

I moved here from Tabanan. I had a job when I was 14 years old. I lived in Tabanan for a few years, about two years. I went back to my mother's house and continued working. I was brought here by someone called Kak Manda. That was in 2021. It was right in January. Kak Manda wanted to put me back in school. My mother agreed and I also agreed that I want to go to school again. So, I went back to school and I started living here, but my mother doesn’t like that I live here. But I've made that decision so that my father doesn't have to take me back and forth to school. I've lived here for almost two years. I'm about to be in grade 9.

I also have 2 younger siblings who also go to school here, one is 12 years old, already in 5th grade. The other one is still small, also goes to school in the area. One lives with me here, the other one goes home. 

What did you do for a living before you came here?

Monthly work, selling fried food. I was working for a long time because I was also helping my mother so that she could get a better life. It's not too bad. My parents live near here but I lived in Tabanan at that time, I was not adopted or anything but I lived in a foundation. 

School Experience

It's not really difficult, I’m happy because I get new experiences again and to make new friends again, in a new school. During Corona, I went to Renon, an elementary school in Renon but school had stopped during Corona, that’s why I was taken to Tabanan. 

Challenges

Being away from my parents. That was one of the challenges. When lived in Tabanan, I rarely went home. If I could, I’d go home twice a month but still I’d rarely see them. I’d go to Tabanan for two weeks, then sometimes I could see them, sometimes I couldn't. So that was one of the challenges, and I went through that for 2 years. That was a struggle. Finally after I moved back here, I can go every day to see my parents. It still feels like it's quite heavy, between wanting to cry or smile. I wanted to run away from Tabanan because I couldn't stand being away from my parents. But I live here now. I can’t leave. I’m going to stay here. 

What is your Dream?

To be a policewoman. Just like the person who brought me to Tabanan. That's really great. A tough woman, I want to be like that. It's not about acting as a policewoman, it's not about being cool, it's not about being proud of yourself. I admire how women can be that strong.  “She’s tough but she’s beautiful.” I have that intention. To be like that. 

Happiest Moments Here

When I first came here, I wasn't too happy. The first time I came here I faced some challenges. I haven't lived here long but I was already accused of theft. I was accused of stealing the cell phones of people who live here. I might’ve been new but I've never done anything like that. 

I learned a lot in Tabanan. It's impossible for me to live here and steal, it's impossible. I was crying, I didn't know anything as a newcomer, and I didn't know who to ask for help. I also didn’t know the people here. So I cried, and there was one woman who calmed me down, "It's okay, just calm down first, we’ll find it later". Finally, not long after, the cellphone was found, it turned out that I was not the thief. The person had misplaced their cellphone, it had slipped somewhere. So they accused me. They didn't apologize to me either. I don't need their forgiveness, I'm fine, whether they apologize or not is up to them. But I wasn't proven guilty. 

Another thing, as I stayed here longer, there was a person who said I'm not diligent. Even though I do everything myself, my friends see me waking up early, doing everything, but there is one person who said I'm not diligent. I was really disappointed, I went to my room and I cried. Suddenly Ms. Kim and Kak Manda came over. Kak Manda calmed me down. I was really disappointed. How come I was so unappreciated in that person’s eyes? Am I not being helpful to them? I live here, but I try so hard help them.