Becoming a homemaker and raising children is no easy task. It involves dual roles in choosing to undertake domestic responsibilities. Often, mothers face various challenges such as feelings of isolation and managing the mental pressure between personal desires and the reality of being a homemaker.
This sentiment is experienced by Annisa Anindita Zein, an LPDP PK-2 cohort member from the early generations, who is now a homemaker and caring for her children. Dita feels restless to do something, to engage in activities that utilize the knowledge she has acquired.
Interestingly, Dita isn’t alone in these thoughts. Throughout her journey, she encountered others like herself—LPDP scholarship alumni who are now homemakers but still hold a desire to contribute. This shared aspiration led to the establishment of a proactive community named "Lab Belajar Ibu," which materialized in 2021.
Lab Belajar Ibu is a non-profit community that serves as a platform for mothers who wish to continue learning and contributing. Here, mothers engage in various empowerment and strengthening activities. For instance, there are writing classes, discussions about home-based careers, and even sharing experiences and methods to pursue further education.
LPDP had the opportunity to interview three founding members of Lab Belajar Ibu during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, December 19. They were Annisa Anindita Zein, a graduate in Social Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tami Astie Ulhiza, holding a Biotechnology Engineering degree from the International Islamic University Malaysia, and Riska Ayu Purnama Sari, who holds a PhD in Agriculture Science from the University of Tsukuba.
Each shared their stories, from their anxieties to their call for contribution as LPDP scholarship alumni, even reflecting on the significance of Mother's Day.
Devotion and Contribution through Lab Belajar Ibu
The founders of Lab Belajar Ibu are acutely aware that they lack the privilege to pursue full-fledged careers and contribute primarily through their professions after completing their studies. Being homemakers seemed to bury deeply all the desires they once wrote in their motivation letters when applying for the LPDP scholarship.
Meanwhile, their academic achievements and the label of being graduates from foreign universities continued to stir and pressure them. They questioned themselves about what contribution they could make in their status as homemakers.
Meeting like-minded individuals and formulating a learning community was the answer. "We thought that we could still contribute in other ways, especially as homemakers where we have domestic flexibility in our schedules, although many also balance both—domestic and public responsibilities," said Annisa Anindita, or Dita as she's known.
Dita explained that the vision, mission, and goals of Lab Belajar Ibu ultimately align with those of LPDP, which is to prepare an excellent future generation. This is manifested in preparing both mothers and educating their children.
In Lab Belajar Ibu, there are at least four programs offered: writing classes, assisting student learning, mothers going back to school, and member empowerment. It's not merely a forum for gathering mothers with similar anxieties but a proactive movement to continually enhance self-capacity and embrace learning.
"We also believe that a learning mother is a strong foundation for a strong family. Hence, there is family resilience; we also focus on Indonesia Emas 2045," concluded Dita.
Lab Belajar Ibu utilizes platforms like WhatsApp groups, Zoom Meetings, and Instagram as communication tools for participants. Riska Ayu Purnamasari, or Riska, explained that the Lab Belajar Ibu members are those who had consistently participated in several programs or shared similar viewpoints. Not everyone who participated in Lab Belajar Ibu programs automatically became a member.
Currently, Lab Belajar Ibu has 487 members with diverse backgrounds, not only limited to LPDP scholarship recipients. There are individuals with undergraduate to doctoral degrees, and some are high school students, resulting in a diverse group.
"Our backgrounds vary from working mothers, homemakers, to parents of students. Hopefully, they are spread across Indonesia and abroad," Riska explained.
Despite primarily operating virtually, Lab Belajar Ibu has also held physical gatherings. Riska mentioned organizing activities at the National Library in collaboration with Buibu Baca Buku Club. The event focused on literacy while also discussing other potentials and interests like entrepreneurship. Riska even mentioned that Lab Belajar Ibu members participated in the LPDP Business Competition 2023.
Platform for Empowerment and Pursuit of Happiness
When asked how the five founders of Lab Belajar Ibu came together, they initially met through mutual LPDP awardees. Riska knew Tami Astie Ulhiza, or Tami, when they were both studying in Japan with LPDP scholarships. Some of the other founders already knew each other from high school. Hence, these five founders stemmed from a circle of friends who eventually met.
Riska recalled her initial uncertainties when she completed her four-year doctoral study and returned to Indonesia. At that time, she was pregnant with her second child and chose to stay home. She was taken aback by a comment questioning, "why is a PhD staying at home?" This made Riska question her own existence, especially during the transition phase from work and studies to being at home.
In short, by meeting her friends, she not only found a place to share stories but also discovered new activities that aligned with her interests. Initially, Riska focused on writing activities related to agriculture, in line with her expertise.
Dita herself perceived the challenging position of women who want to resume their careers or pursue their aspirations while being faced with domestic responsibilities as a homemaker caring for her child.
"The world isn't as ideal as our idealism. There's a reality we must acknowledge that happens around us. For instance, some women don't receive privileges like others," she said. Dita didn’t hesitate to mention that her current busyness is fully dedicated to managing Lab Belajar Ibu.
Impactful Activities
Lab Belajar Ibu has already made an impact on its members and even those who have participated in its activities. For example, from 25 participants in the "Mother Back to School" program, half of them courageously pursued scholarships for further studies. Some took LPDP scholarships, AAS (Australia Awards Scholarships), and others.
Tami emphasized that Lab Belajar Ibu always emphasizes being confident and happy learning mothers. Confidence is reinforced by providing support systems for these mothers, serving as discussion partners in family resilience. When our core family is stable, we can build a good neighborhood community, then progress to creating a better society at a broader level," said Tami.
Relating to the observance of Mother's Day on December 22, the existence of Lab Belajar Ibu is a concrete representation of educated women who wish to empower other mothers. Lab Belajar Ibu has ignited a beacon of hope in the hearts of mothers at crossroads between managing domestic chores and self-actualization towards building alternative civilizations.
Lab Belajar Ibu believes nothing is ever wasted in the learning process. In certain situations, impactful contributions are not just about changing individuals outside but can also bring progress within the family circle.
"If the mother is knowledgeable, then the family will also become knowledgeable. We don't become knowledgeable alone, but we also bring the potential for our families to improve," said Riska.
On this Mother's Day, the Lab Belajar Ibu stories can inspire young mothers to be productive for themselves, their families, and the broader society. It also ensures that Mother's Day remains a form of honor and recognition of the continuous relevance of a mother's role over time.