“And the third prize at the second annual Migrant Worker Poetry Competition goes to…Sharasyamsi!”
Congratulations to Aidha student Sharasyamsi for doing us proud! This is the first time that the poetry competition allowed women to participate, and a whopping 65% of the entries came from women. Four Aidha students made the shortlist, with Sharasyamsi winning third prize with her poem “Engkau”, or “You”.
Sharasyamsi is from East Java, Indonesia, and came to Singapore in 2007. Although she completed her high-school education, her parents were unable to support her higher education. She had trouble finding a job and subsequently decided to come to Singapore. She loves singing, shopping and going to the theatre. She is also very interested in learning English and takes full advantage of every chance she gets to interact with people and practice her language skills.
(Sharasyamsi is second from right)
Love and admiration for someone was Sharasyamsi’s biggest inspiration to begin writing, and she decided to “devote her heart through poetry”. She happened to come across this competition on the Internet and was extremely excited to participate. She composed her entry over the course of three weeks and submitted it. She plans to continue writing poetry in her spare time and is now on the lookout for more writing competitions.
She said that she gained confidence and discovered her talents at Aidha, and especially credits Module 1 for her leadership skills, determination and self-belief. Sharasyamsi enjoys staying in Singapore because it is a “very clean
country” and the government is very “kind and thoughtful,” and she appreciates her job here. However, in the future, she wants to go back to Indonesia and work in a government agency or in the hospitality industry. If that doesn’t work out, she will start her own grocery business.
Sharasyamsi’s achievement, as well as that of the other women from Aidha who participated in this contest, is a source of inspiration to the entire FDW community in Singapore!
Engkau
Engkau,
Jadilah angin bagi awan-awanku
hingga aku tak lagi ragu berarak
Ke tempat niat tujuan kita
Engkau,
Jadilah angin bagi layang-layangku
hingga aku tak lagi takut mengarungi
angkasa harapan kita
Engkau,
Jadilah angin bagi semua kehidupan
Yang bisa menuntun jalan mereka
dan jalanku untuk kembali
meniti inspirasi dua hati
Engkau,
Jadilah angin yang menghidupkan angan-anganku
cita dan cintaku
hanya engkau mimpiku
berharap kita bersatu
satu dalam restu
yang tak lagi tabu
You
You,
Be the wind to my clouds
so that I may go forth confidently
to our destination
You,
Be the wind to my kite
so that I no longer fear crossing
the skies of our hopes
You,
Be the wind to all life
Show them the way
and my way back
treading the inspiration of two hearts
You,
Be the wind that gives life to my dreams
my hope and my love
you alone are my dream
may we be joined
in a blessed union
that is no longer taboo
NEWSLETTER 