Kupang poor break rocks for a living
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.