Reported by HU Pikiran Rakyat (15/1) Studying, marrying young, and starting a business. These three things describe Al Isklamabad’s life today. However, Al lives his life under extraordinary circumstances, namely with deafness, which he has suffered from since the age of 12.
A rice milling machine damaged his eardrums. It is difficult for Al, who lives near the rice milling site, to avoid the constant noise of the machines. However, Al accepts this trial with grace. His spirit for life remains undiminished. The same goes for his determination to pursue education. Born into a farming family with all its limitations, Al is undeterred in his quest for knowledge, even up to the university level.
Despite difficulties in following lecture material, especially practical work, Al remains enthusiastic about completing his studies, which will take another year at the Faculty of Information Technology, Widyatama University, Bandung. Born in Tasikmalaya on April 17, 20 years ago, he is also enthusiastic about running a business with his wife, Nurul Afifah. Nurul, who married Al in May 2017, has been pioneering a painting souvenir business on cutting boards since a year ago. Nurul’s talent for painting has been evident since elementary and junior high school. After watching a drawing program on television, Nurul spent her free time coloring until she finally started drawing herself.
In junior high school, she won national student art competitions, such as in 2011 when she won second place in Makassar and second place in 2012 in Lombok. She was sent after winning at the West Java level. “So far, there have been many paintings on canvas, maybe people are bored,” said Al, accompanied by Nurul when met at the Salman Mosque on the ITB campus. Friday (9/2). The painting souvenirs are produced at Nurul’s parents’ house in Cimahi.
At first, Nurul only dared to combine black and painting in her artwork. However, consumer boredom encouraged her to innovate with colors. Al, who had previously run a clothing screen printing business, also helped Nurul select high-quality and affordable painting materials, so now the paintings on the cutting boards no longer fade like before.
“Now it’s starting to sell well, with up to 40 orders a month, though it’s not consistent. But the profits are still used to cover many expenses, including the medical costs for my sick mother-in-law,” said Al. Nurul has also started painting canvas tote bags that are fade-resistant to increase her income.
Although not yet fully established, Al and Nurul’s business caught the attention of an international event called Japri, or “Become an Independent Entrepreneur.” Japri was organized by USAID and MRUF (Sandiaga Uno’s family foundation) at the JICA building on the UPI campus in Bandung recently. Al was one of three entrepreneurs selected from 90 applicants.
Although they haven’t achieved remarkable success yet, it seems that Al and Nurul’s souvenir orders could be a source of pride. “We made them for Sandiaga Uno and Darwis Triadi (Professional Photographer). The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph R. Donovan, has also ordered from us. John Travolta has too, but the order was placed by someone else,” said Al.
Detailed images such as facial photos are completed by Al in about a day. Meanwhile, cartoon images are completed by Nurul in a shorter time, 2-3 hours.
Souvenirs are priced affordably, ranging from Rp. 50,000 to Rp. 70,000, depending on the size of the cutting board and the number of objects depicted. Orders can be easily placed through Al and Nurul’s personal Instagram accounts. Through Japri’s program, Al learned about financial management, which he had not understood at all since starting his business with his wife. Doing business while attending college sometimes makes him tired, especially when classes end in the afternoon. Al also teaches religion at the Difababel Creative Center in Gegerkalong. After finishing his studies, Al wants to fulfill his dream of becoming a religious teacher for deaf children. However, not as a formal teacher, but at a boarding school. Al is very optimistic about achieving his goal. To his friends who are in the same situation, Al reminds them to stay confident. “Try reading Surah Al-Insyirah. That with difficulty comes ease,” he said.
