Nalarendra Widiatna (20 years old) or commonly called Nala is one of the alumni of the Barbershop training in the year of 2021 organized by Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun or known as the Foundation for Inspiration of Indonesia Development (YIIM) in collaboration with the Witness and Victims Agency of Republic of Indonesia (LPSK RI). Nala is the last child of 2 (two) childern and lives in the city of Solo, both of her parents have passed away. He is also the head of a family with 1 (one) child.

This program is a manifestation of LPSK RI’s commitment by cooperating with YIIM in the context of psychosocial programs for victims and witnesses who are protected by LPSK according to the mandate of Law Number 31 of 2014 concerning Witnesses and Victims Protection. In addition, psychosocial programs is also in line with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs No. 1 on ending poverty and SDGs No. 2 on ending hunger.

Previously, Nala worked at an electrical shop in the Ngemplak area, Solo City. Nala is the second of two children, but her father and mother have passed away. He admits that his life is indeed quite difficult. Nala was left by her father when he was only 8 months old. Meanwhile, the new mother passed away in 2000 due to stomach acid complications that reached her internal organs, exactly a month before Nala was born. Nala, who just got married in 2019 now lives in a rented house with her child and wife. Meanwhile, Nala’s older brother lives independently.

Before joining the Barbershop training, he also told me that in meeting his daily economic needs he had difficulties. Once, after getting married, he hadn’t had a job for more than five months, even though his condition was still renting a house and having a baby. Every effort has been made, one of which is Nala’s colleague and brother to help find a job but has not been able to.

Until finally, through Winarso or commonly called Mbah Narso, who is the leader of the victim community assisted by LPSK RI, he received information and an invitation to take part in Barbershop training held by YIIM and LPSK. Initially, Nala knew Mbah Narso from the association of victims and family of victims of past human rights abuses since her grandmother passed away, the struggle was passed on to her mother, and until present Nala has continued to fight for the rights of the victims and family of victims of past human rights abuses.

Finding New Opportunities and Opportunities to grow

The barbershop training was held for three days in Solo. This barbershop training was trained by a trainer named Ageng Patmoko who is also an alumni of YIIM’s assisted barbershop training. After getting Barbershop training from YIIM, the impact is felt. He feels that there are opportunities and gain skills to start a business opportunity in the barbershop field.

After attending the training, he turned his hair cutting skills into a side business. Nala started her business by doing online appointment haircuts through the WhatsApp application, using makeshift tools as a result of the assistance provided by LPSK RI. The assistance provided included 1 set of hair cutting tools consisting of a trimmer along with shoes, a hood (covering the customer’s body), hair clips, sasak and cutting scissors, combs, cleaning brushes.

He collaborated with his network of friends to get customers. One of them is by accessing membership in a pencak silat organization, he is often asked to shave the member. In total, from the pencak silat organization alone, he has shaved off about 50 people. Not to mention the rest of the residents who often ask for his services to shave their hair. Within a week he earns additional income from haircuts ranging from IDR. 150,000 to IDR. 200,000 so that an average of IDR. 600,000. Apart from his salary from working in an electrical shop, he gets IDR 1,800,000 in a month. However, he admits that the income has not been able to meet the basic needs of himself and his family. He also often refuses customers because he is working.

In the future, Nala hopes to open his own barbershop kiosk. He hopes to open a barbershop business in the Mojosongo area, Solo City, which is not far from his home. In addition, he also really wants to improve other barbershop skills such as hair coloring and hair tattoos. While trying to find access to capital, he also continues to market haircut services.

Inspiration Greetings!