Kupang poor break rocks for a living
Yemris Fointuna The Jakarta Post/Kupang
Sweating profusely from working in the scorching sun or being covered in dust is an everyday occurrence for Jhon Kase, a stone quarrier in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.
From sunrise to sunset, the 46-year-old resident of Penfui subdistrict, Maulafa district works hard with other villagers breaking limestone into blocks to support their families.
"I don't care what other people say. The most important thing is that we can afford food for the day," said the father of four.
"We'll worry about tomorrow's needs later, as long as we don't steal or do anything illegal."
Some of his earnings go toward supporting his family and the rest pays for his children's education.
They use simple tools, such as a crowbar and a 15-kilogram sledgehammer in their work. Great strength is needed to split a one meter by two meter boulder
"We don't eat in the morning. We only bring a flask of coffee and a bowl of boiled corn to eat for breakfast and lunch. We eat rice with fish or vegetables only when we have the money," Jhon said.
They never dreamed they would become stone quarriers. Life was hard in the barren hinterlands of Timor island, which is hot and dry, and they were forced to move to the city to seek a living.
Jhon's dreams of getting an education so that he could become a civil servant or an employee at a private company ended at the rock quarry.
"My parents in the village are poor. I wanted to go to school but couldn't afford to. Eventually, I followed my relative Jhon and became a stone quarrier.
"From my monthly earnings, I can set aside some money for my family in Niki-Niki village, South Amanuban district in Central South Timor," said Daniel Tasuib, 24, who stays in Naimata subdistrict, Kupang city.
It takes them at least two days to fill a truck with limestone blocks, worth Rp 50,000 (US$5). The blocks are hard and solid and are used in building foundations.
The stone quarriers have a disciplined routine. To them, time is money, especially when working in vast open areas where there is no protection from the sun.
They spend their days working under the full blaze of the sun, and have tanned bodies, sun-bleached hair and faces that are somewhat rough. However, they are respectful and friendly when conversing.
The local administration has done nothing to improve the welfare of quarriers in Kupang.
"We pay Rp 300,000 tax per month, but don't know what it is used for. But if we poor people fall sick, we have to buy medicine from the community health center or hospital," said one quarrier, Litus Parera, 38.