Indonesia Expat
Charities

A Centre of Strength for Divorced Women in Bali

Ni Komang Sariadi is the founder of Pusat Kegiatan Perempuan Women’s Centre (PKP) located just outside Ubud, Bali. PKP is a community where Balinese women can go for support if they have left a marriage. It is a nurturing and safe place for divorcees who seek comfort and support.

Bali is known for its patriarchal society, and if you are a woman fleeing a marriage, you are often ostracized. You are seen as bringing shame on yourself, your village and your immediate family. It is customary for children to stay with the father, with access sometimes denied for several years to the mother.

This was the case for Sariadi, who is a divorcee of 13 years. When I visited the PKP Centre, she outlined the challenges faced in Bali when you leave your husband. In her case, among these challenges is the fact that she has not seen her daughter in three years.

According to Sariadi, after marrying in Bali, you must move to your husband’s village.

But where do you go when you seek a divorce? If you return to your original village, people will regard you with disdain. Other women will fear you and think that you will take their husbands. Men often view you as promiscuous. In short, she explained, it is very uncomfortable to return.

Nevertheless, Sariadi was kind enough to share the tale about her divorce in Bali with Indonesia Expat, along with the story behind the women’s centre known as PKP.

Why did you build the PKP Centre?

Sariadi
Sariadi, Founder of PKP

I needed a safe place to live. I also needed a place of my own, a place where my daughter could visit. A female divorcee has a hard life in Bali. You must face the community and society. The first three years were the hardest. I had to leave my daughter with my ex-husband’s family.

However, I am a determined woman and I made a commitment to turn my pain into something positive. I decided to get an education, studying in Denpasar. Here, I met many women with different issues. I met women unable to bear children who were ousted from their marriage and women hit with economic issues after deciding to divorce. So I had to do something. I decided to create a place of harmony – and the PKP Centre was formed.

How did the PKP Centre get built?

Well, this is my biggest dream come true. I networked with people, and in the last three years, I have received overwhelming support and love from everyone – from all over the world.

What were you involved in before PKP?

I am the director of the Sari Hati Foundation, a school for mentally disabled Balinese children. A man from Israel and a Swiss lady started the foundation. I became a teacher for Sari Hati, and the biggest benefit was for myself. I learned a lot from the children – how to make myself happy no matter how rich or poor I was, or whatever my situation was. Only you can control your happiness. My early training taught me to believe in the five K’s: kebersamaan (togetherness), kepedulian (caring), kerukunan (harmony), kepercayaan (trust) and kasih sayang (love).

I embraced the 5 Ks from a very deep place inside me. Every day I kept learning and used this philosophy to strengthen myself within. I also learned to embrace the three E’s: everyone is a teacher, every place is a school and every moment is a lesson.

With the three E’s, I broadened my horizons and learned more about myself. Above all, I developed an understanding of other people. Lastly, because things come in threes, I maintain the three P’s – passion, patience and perseverance – and apply them to my life. For me, life is one continuous momentum of learning and working.

Can you tell me about PKP’s programme?

We run English and computer classes for women and children plus yoga sessions and a support group. We love to dance and look after our health. Luckily for us, a dynamic jazzercise teacher offers fitness classes. We teach our members how to cook healthy food and how to cut down on oil and sugar and eliminate MSG. We also conduct a very successful littering awareness programme, telling communities why, when and how to care for the environment.

What is the most exciting event you have held?

The first year anniversary celebration of PKP in February of 2016 was by far the most exciting, with more than 200 people attending. We decorated the trees with little stories. Some were personal stories told by Centre women, and some explained Balinese tradition and village rules. We wrote Centre accomplishments on the branches. The concept was that the trees could talk. 

Tell me about the catering business.

We established a Facebook site, and orders started to flow in. As I mentioned, we cook healthy, clean food without MSG or excess oil. We do the cooking here on site and deliver. For our first year anniversary, we had 25 woven baskets lined with banana leaves hanging off a long pole on pieces of string. The baskets were overflowing with steamed rice, grilled eggplant, tofu curry, tempeh dishes, several types of cassava dishes and desserts. Everyone loved the dishes, our homemade sauces and accompaniments. We catered without using plastic – and the word spread like wildfire. 

Tell me about the PKP documentary.

After I left my husband’s village, I moved to Denpasar and enrolled in study. I had to make a new life. I met many Westerners. My Hungarian friend was keen to make a documentary about the Centre. After seeing that documentary, many expat friends and associates have helped me and donated equipment and helped set up some of the programmes. It’s a beautiful thing.

How does the sewing circle work?

We teach people to sew. We get donations of second-hand clothing and make items like aprons, reusable shopping bags and children’s clothing. The sewing circle is pretty much self-sustaining. We make clothes from recycled material. We love donations. 

How has the PKP changed over time?

In the beginning, we were a Centre associated with problems, but now we have moved forward. We are a Centre for all women. Young people have come to hear about us and join our activities.

PKP is now for everyone wanting to embrace self-esteem, empowerment, courage and a healthy mind and body. We work together to tackle issues.

For more information about how to donate or get involved with PKP Women’s Centre, please contact Ni Komang Sariadi at [email protected] or call +62 852 38799001.

Donations are welcomed at the centre: books, computers, educational supplies, used clothing, new material, dry goods and financial donations.

 

Related posts

Saving the Slow Loris

Indonesia Expat

Becak Terus: Rickshawing from Aceh to Jakarta for a Good Cause

Angela Jelita

The Jungle School

Karen

Moving Forward With the Help of Education

Amina Ghazi

Marriott Business Council Takes Part in “MercedesTrophy 2023”

Indonesia Expat

Melati, Do you remember when you were 12 years old?

Indonesia Expat