I do not know how to start this writing, I do really want to share the things that I did for others that hopefully useful and inspiring, but on the other hand, I am not used to talk about this. In my culture and belief, talking about good things will lead to “vanity” and that is not good at all. This is very hard for me, and I have to think over and over. That is why I hoped I already too late to submit my writing for this #thankfulactsofkindness. Ha!
Thanks to who made me smile with her comment, it really encourage me to dare myself to write and submit this post. Sometimes, we need to do something different, right? With good will, good intentions, why not?!
I tried to do a lot of things to help others since I realize that is the most wonderful thing that makes me happy. Money can not buy me the feeling of happiness that I got from giving and helping. Though it is nice to have money, but it is happiness to be able to give and help others with the things that much priceless than money. Education, that is priceless according to my opinion. Education is not only priceless but also for long term and never end, and educate people through writing is one of the things I like to do. Everyday.
I write a lot of topics, from science to fictions, from poetry to politics, but I like the most is to write about sex. I really concern about this topic, especially after I made research about sex behavior in some parts of my country. Really shocking and I wish I could deny all of that worst parts.
Once I wrote about children prostitution that me and some friends found in one of famous island in Indonesia. Children of 9 -14 years old were working as prostitutes, and they got paid by three, yes three, cigarettes only. When their customers are kind enough to give them a packet of rise, they will be very happy to do everything the customer asked. That’s not all! The worst part is, those children did not know they were doing prostitution. All they knew, they were sent by their family over there, to work and to get money to help the family. They never received the money, all sent to the family. I was speechless and at the time, I felt like I lost everything, including my life. I knew I have to do something about it. I have to write about it, to make people knows about it and do something. It was good, now it was closed, the children got back to their homes and some people are still in jail because of doing such bad things to children.
Another one that really shocked me is when I got a call to help five years old girl who was in comma after being raped by probably more than 5 adults. She was abused, brushes all over her body. Her vagina was torn out till her anus. Me and my friends, some doctors included, were trying to help her but it was too late. She was found on the street and nobody knows until a few hours after this “brutal actions” happened. She past away on my laps, and I could not help myself not to regret everything. I wished I can do something earlier. She was buried, unknown and till now we never know who she was and her family. We never know who did that to her as well.
Lucky me, when I joined one of the most famous lifestyle magazines, I could write a lot about sex. And not for too long, I was appointed as one of international magazine in my country to become their “the girl next door” and their sex consultant as well. Since that time, so many people come to me and ask for help. I was then, appointed as well as an ambassador for one condom brand, to educate people about health sex. I used to travel for talk show, seminars, and have my own radio talk shows. I wrote as well online and printed, about sex. I even have my first book, talking and criticizing government from “sex” point of view. You can search my name, Mariska Lubis, in google. Yes, you will find me as the Queen of Sex in Indonesia.
The most challenging part to educate sex in my country is, you have to be able to get along with everybody in all society and communities. Well, sometimes I have to pretend to be “the girl on the street”, just to make sure I understand what was going on over there. I need information, good information, so I know what to do. Of course this is dangerous, and even once I got caught by the police when I tried to find out the “the journey” of this prostitutes in a week. If I do not have my journalist card, perhaps I got into jail as well and being accused for doing what I did not do.
This job is scary for most people in Indonesia, sex is so taboo, and people tend to judge person like me in a negative way. I do not really care about it, I thought somebody has to do something, the right things, even if I have to against the world, I don’t care. Somebody has to do it! If all people against prostitutes, then who can help them to be better? Human is still human, and they need to be treated as human being, not just like a garbage or something. But, the most challenging part is I have to be patient. Very patient. Step by step, I wrote and teach people about sex, and now, a lot of people understand what I am trying to do. They do not see me in negative way, but they even support me.
Up till now, I still talking and writing about sex every day, any where I go. I still try to help people individually who need my help, solving their sex and marital problems. I also get involve in some community to help TBC, HIV, and AIDS patients and their families, sex abuse victims and the criminals as well as to make sure all are treated right. I have programs to teach sex educations by learning how to write for students, parents, and teachers. I don’t get enough money to help them all, but I have all my heart to give. That’s how I share all the things that I have, hopefully it is useful and benefited for all. Money can not make us to be human enough, but we all human that can humanize people by doing all the good things for others.
You all can visit my personal blog: http://bilikml.wordpress.com to read my writings and experience related to sex educations, research, and thinking, but sorry if I haven’t update it for some (a lot!) months. ;)
Thanks and
. You are wonderful that your hearts are always full of love to give. God bless you all!
Check this link to join the contest: https://steemit.com/thankfulactsofkindness/@rebeccaryan/announcing-a-new-contest-thankful-acts-of-kindess-co-sponsored-by-natureofbeing-and-rebeccaryan
Bandung, November 28th 2017
Regards,
Mariska Lubis