A Leap into the Unknown: A Story of Resilience

Luna park and harbour bridge 

In May 2019, within breeze autumn wind. a young woman stepped off the plane in Sydney, her heart full of hope and a touch of fear. She had left everything familiar behind, seeking a new life in a city known for its stunning harbour and vibrant culture. But beneath the excitement, there was uncertainty, an awareness that this journey would be anything but easy.

The first few months were challenging. She was alone in a vast city, far from the comforts of home. But she was determined, and she found a place to stay with some people she hoped would become her new family. Yet, as time passed, things didn’t go as she had imagined. Misunderstandings grew, tensions flared, and soon, a massive argument erupted. It was the kind of fight that leaves scars, not just on the surface, but deep within. 

Feeling lost and without a sense of self, she knew she couldn’t stay any longer. The only option was to leave, but where could she go? The world outside felt cold and unwelcoming, especially with a pandemic spreading fear and isolation across the globe. Jobs were scarce, and her bank account was empty. The future seemed bleak.

In a moment of desperation, she turned to ‘FB Group Indonesian in Sydney’, scrolling through posts in search of something, just anything that could offer her a lifeline. And there, amid the countless updates and messages, she stumbled upon a group offering free accommodations. It sounded too good to be true. What if it was a scam? What if she ended up in an even worse situation? But with nowhere else to turn, she decided to take the risk. (Actually, She just doesn’t care about her life anymore).

Reaching out to one of the posts, she connected with a woman named Mbak Novi. There was something comforting in the way Mbak Novi spoke, there’s kindness in her words, warmth in her voice. It was Ramadhan, a time of reflection and giving, and perhaps that was why, when she knocked on the door of Mbak Novi’s home, it opened with a welcoming smile.

Mbak Novi, along with her husband and son, embraced her like a long-lost family member. They shared their meals, their space, and their stories, turning their home into a sanctuary. For the first time in months, she felt safe. The heaviness that had weighed on her heart began to lift, replaced by a glimmer of hope.

She stayed with them for a month, a month that would change everything. During that time, she regained a sense of who she was. She began to heal, finding strength in the kindness of this family who had taken her in when she was at her lowest.

But life is a journey, and it was time for the next step. Through another connection on FB, she met another angel ‘Kak Sari’, a woman who offered not just a place to stay, a new family (along with Kang Budi, Kang Rudy, Mas Yudi and Kak Octo) also a job, a chance to rebuild her life. Moving in with ‘Kak Sari’, she started working, and slowly, piece by piece, her life began to improve.

Nicole, my first friend in Sydney. We’been thru a lot together

Kak sari, kang rudi, kak octo, kang budi and ko romeo

The struggles she had faced were still fresh in her memory, but now they were a part of her story, not the end of it. She had gone from feeling hopeless and lost to finding a community that supported her, from having nothing to gaining a new sense of purpose.

5 years has gone.. As she looked back on those dark days, she realized that it was not just the help of others that had saved her, but also her own courage, the courage to take a leap into the unknown, to trust strangers when she had no one else, and to keep moving forward even when the path seemed impossible.

And so, in the heart of Sydney, a city that had once seemed so intimidating, she found her place. Not just a physical place, but a place within herself, a place of resilience, strength, and a renewed sense of identity.