Rikky Muhammad Fajar Promotes Creative Community of Trans Women in Jakarta

Rikky continues to strive for the waria of Kampung Duri to be registered with the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) for getting free healthcare services. Unfortunately, most trans women who had been expelled from their families at their young age would face problems getting identity cards and BPJS. 

“They don’t have an identification card to access health insurance program and other public services because most of them have been expelled by their family. They are afraid of going back home to take their civil documents," said Rikky. 

“Also, being a waria, who has been marginalized by people, makes them afraid of visiting public service office.”

Entrepreneurship program 

During the pandemic, together with members of the Sanggar Seroja, Rikky raised funds on social media to lessen the economic burden among the trans women in Kampung Duri. The funds were already distributed to 80 trans women in Kampung Duri and other places.

Besides, Ricky also motivates trans women to start entrepreneurship. The assistance continues to be distributed to trans women who want to start a business. The aid comprises a cash loan of 500,000 rupiahs ($34) and non-financial support such as preparing logo design, promotional materials, and marketing-related training activities. 

“Seroja's activities, which were previously performed in theatre, have been moved to online talk show programs, social fundraising, digital performances, social gathering, dance performances, writing class, and entrepreneurship,” added Rikky.

 

 

 

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So far, Sanggar Seroja has succeeded in producing six food products under Madam Seroja’s Kitchen in Jakarta. They are Bolu Mama Pandan, Cumi Pedas Indri, Klappertaart Madam Seroja, and many more.

“I plan to expand the Madam Seroja’s culinary business, so we can be more skillful in entrepreneurship and get more income,” said Rikky.

One of his efforts to introduce the trans women community to the public is by producing a film, which he directed in 2013. The film "Emak dari Jambi" or loosely translated as Mother of Jambi won the 2016 Best ASEAN Documentary at the Salaya International Documentary Film Festival in Thailand.

Sanggar Seroja has shown their creativity amid the Covid-19. They have led their community to provide social support to their fellow citizens despite being discriminated against in their everyday lives.