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 “What’s challenging is not about becoming a woman who leads, but more about becoming a youth that is able to lead”

That was the answer that I received from Katrina, during our virtual interview when I asked her about the challenges and obstacles she’s been facing as a woman-leader. Being a leader at the age of 18 and having to run a social initiative program, while still having to pursue her degree abroad was never an easy job. Katrina puts herself in each of those outlets, and one of her keys to keeping all things in balance is compassion.

For some of us, oftentimes compassion could be such a challenging and heavy word. Let’s be honest here. Giving, showing affection, being empathetic, being aware and immersed in our surroundings wasn’t something that is easy to do. There’s our ego that plays alongside our hearts when we’re about to leap on to a more compassionate decision. But during my interview with Katrina, she told me about her journey of developing Art for Refuge (AFR), a social initiative program focusing on providing art classes for refugees, where compassion plays one of the most important roles in the process.

Asri Wijayanti  – XLFL B5 Surabaya – Founder Jahitin

Asri merupakan alumni Universitas Brawijaya dan pendiri “Jahitin” sejak ia berada di semester 5 bangku perkuliahan. Jahitin merupakan first online personal tailor platform.

Alasan membuat jahitin

Berangkat dari kesulitan Asri untuk menemukan penjahit di kotanya sejak ia SMP dan berlanjut hingga kuliah. Sampai suatu saat pada tahun 2016, ia menemukan penjahit di Kota Malang dengan hasil jahitan yang memuaskan dan waktu yang cepat meskipun berada di lokasi yang tidak strategis, sulit dijangkau, dan jauh dari pusat kota. Dari situ ia tahu bahwa lokasi penjahit tidak mempengaruhi kualitas hasil jahitan. Karena tidak semua penjahit mempunyai modal untuk membuka butik di lokasi yang strategis.

Perjalanan jahitin hingga saat ini

Saat mulai terbentuk, jahitin berfokus agar penjahit bisa mendapatkan pesanan secara online. Pada tahun 2019, Asri berpikir untuk meningkatkan kualitas penjahit meskipun jahitin adalah sebuah usaha sosial. Pelanggan berharap hasil pesanan bagus, sesuai keinginan, dan tepat waktu. Muncullah ide untuk membuat “Jahitin Akademi”. Program ini berhasil bekerja sama dengan Kementerian Desa Tertinggal dan Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika. Program ini berfokus untuk memberdayakan penjahit lokal agar mendapatkan pelatihan menjahit, literasi keuangan, dan pengelolaan limbah tenun dengan cara yang mudah. Jahitin akademi telah memberdayakan penjahit lokal di Sumba Barat, Aceh Singkil, Gorontalo, Lombok, dan beberapa daerah lain.

Bradley Gunawan – XLFL B5 Jakarta – Founder AMM (Anak Muda Mengajak)

Bradley majored in Green Economy at Surya University and currently working at OTP Institute, a human capital development company focusing on communication and leadership. He is also running AMM (Anak Muda Mengajak), a youth empowerment community that he and his friends started a few years ago, focusing as a platform for youths to create, collaborate, and contribute for others. Lastly, his XLFL SIP (Social Innovation Project) team has also been continuing to develop the project, JALAJAH, a traveling consultation platform.

AMM (Anak Muda Mengajak)

The background of AMM is basically from Bradley’s thought about education and people development. These two are important in many different ways. Technology and many kinds of advancement might not be optimal if the ones using them are not adequately empowered. That’s why he and his friends established AMM as a platform for aspiring youths to access development opportunities. They feel that program development, especially related to soft skills and networking opportunities, are not widely accessible for many people yet. They also observe that a lot of professionals and more experienced individuals (even to the extent of C-Level & Founders) are actually more than willing to share their knowledge and experience. Hence, they see an opportunity there.

Jessica Triady – XLFL B6 Medan – Founder WolleWolly

The restriction of freedom and mobility which women experienced due to gender discrimination at that time was the reason behind Kartini’s aspiration. Just like Kartini, Jessica Triady also recognizes the same problem. Many women are experiencing restrictions, one of which is due to financial difficulties. They are prevented from exploring their potential since they cannot afford to.

Through her business in handcrafting called WolleWolly, Jessica realizes that she can do something to help address this issue. She then turns WolleWolly to be a social enterprise whose profit is generated to empower underprivileged women in her community. She conducts a free crocheting training for them with an aim to equip them with a handcrafting skill. As a result, the women can eventually produce something to be sold and earn extra income from the sales. So far, she has empowered more than 50 women and some have successfully made their crocheting skill their paid hobby.