She is a kindhearted Flores-born woman, with a beautiful smile and gentle voice. Her black hair is shoulder length and she likes to wear casual-traditional blouses. She is Hemiliana Nirong Tukan, or Henni, one of Du Anyam women weaver. This 36-year-old woman and a mother of three children is one of the most blossomed women that has been progressing along with us since day one.

Henni’s story with Du Anyam started when her husband, Anies, introduced her to us. She has been involved right from the early stages of our establishment that took place in Dun Tana Village, Flores. Beginning her career in Du’Anyam as a weaver and the Field Facilitator in East Flores, Henni kept improving and now she has become our Junior Project Officer in Lembata. She continuously delivers her best effort to help us grow better and better.

Her journey indeed involved quite a long process also a huge determination. Even before she joined Du Anyam, she was always aware that the women in her island had a very limited choice on how to make their living, because mostly, they ended up only doing the housework. When we reached Bu Henni in 2014 and asked her to build Du’Anyam together, she was very eager to contribute as she hopes that weaving tradition revival would bring goodness to the women in Flores and she wanted to be a part of it.

“It was hard at first. Wicker weaving was forgotten and everybody was pessimistic about the idea of preserving it. Many young women refused to weave because Palmyra leaves are often associated with older women’s activity. But, against all the odds. I knew that we would make it, and look how far we have come,” said Henni.

“After I joined Du’Anyam, I have learned so much. I have learned about public speaking and many other things I did not know before. I was beyond nervous to speak in public at first, but now I can manage to stay calm. I also knew nothing about the internet before, now I can send WhatsApp chats and e-mail,” she blushed and smiled proudly at the same time.

She did start with a shy personality, but her strong belief has led her, and us, to a better path. This humble woman is now one of our most active weavers. She has coordinated many weaving training sessions and done many presentations, even in front of all the Head of Government Offices in Lembata District. She also managed to attain her high school degree, and eager to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in the near future. All of those hard work, she did it for the better sake of her children, also for the people in Flores.

“I hope Du Anyam will keep growing and keep empowering women all over Indonesia.”