Our Love Among Corona

E - Democracy Class

Despite being preoccupied with my new lover Allan and my relationship with Luky, I did not neglect my work. Because this job I now have is one of the dreams I have fought so far. I work hard because I love what I do.

Who would have thought a poor girl who grew up in this remote village in Aceh, the westernmost tip of Indonesia, got a dream job on European soil. Looking back on my childhood, how being brought up in a time of conflict, without computers and the internet, could have come to a career like this. It seems impossible to think about, but nothing is impossible if it is really fought for.

My mentor said that the formula of success is the meeting of opportunity and self-quality.

"If you have a quality of self that is so good, but there is no opportunity that comes, then it will not meet with the name of success. If you are given a good opportunity even though you do not have or are not able to improve your quality, you will not meet with success. So success is meeting the quality of self and opportunity then be successful" he said when he often gives me advice.

I remember the message well. Hence to get to this point, I will not waste what I have worked so hard for. I've seen a lot of self-destruction and career as blinded by love alone. Feeling unbalanced or unworthy of sacrificing my dreams for a man in the name of love. Love should be the answer to self-rescue from the destruction.

"I prepare you coffee & sandwiches" Luky made a sound from the living room. Ah Luky as usual is so sweet. Only if I'm friday and I'm not fighting with you. Usually our days are filled with quarrels like Tom & Jerry. There is a debate, although there are many sweet things.

"Oh thank you so much. I hope I will have enough time to enjoy coffee and breakfast first" I shouted from inside the room wearing my shirt and pants.

"You have enough time. Don't worry. Just don't put so much make up. Come here soon" he continued.

"OKs. Ok".

I shake off my make-up which only lasts a few minutes. Out to enjoy my breakfast. Happy to have Luky, if he is able to get up early, he does not hesitate to prepare me breakfast.

Today is one of the most important days in my office. We will be attending a group of students brought by Tallinn University. These students come from Australia, Papua New Guinea, China, Taiwan, Estonia, and Japan. They came to our office to learn about how the e-democracy platform we are building and how the system works in Estonia. How effective and impact that has occurred so far. And they can try to directly use the platform and test it during this visit. Me, Alin and Malor are our bosses who will be filling out today's lecture on this E-democracy.

"Are you nervous?" asked Luky who was busy watching my feet while having breakfast. I'll definitely shake it if I'm nervous.

"Mhmmm a little bit," I replied as I sipped the coffee he made.

"And you've been training from last night. Easy that". Luky tried to calm me down. He's been helping me since last night. Stand in front of him and practice my speech. He's very helpful in this. Not only did I improve my English, but also the content that I delivered about the journey of democracy in Indonesia.

"Old Suharto leads Indonesia. Well, I imagine how the Indonesian people lived in those days" he reminded me of their discussion last night.

"Well, that's how it is" I hurriedly replied as I stood up.

Last night, we discussed until late. The journey of democracy and stories about conflicts that occurred ranging from the conflicts of Aceh, Sampit in Kalimantan, Papua, War 65 and so on. Heavy discussions, draining the heart and energy.

"OKs. I have to walk now. Ask for help disposing of garbage yes, make sure you dispose of it separately according to the type of box in front of the apartment" I message.

"I know I know. Sorting through our cultural trash at home. No need to teach me". Ah yes it is. I'm used to giving tasks by explaining details like this, apply to Luky.

"Sorry, just meant to remember" I said grinning.

"Taxiku has arrived. Yea".

"Hi! Everyone!" my broom so it's up to the office.

"Hi Agustina's. Kuidas l ?" Malor our boss greets me which means what's up.

"Hosti. Kuidas sul lheb? I answered and asked him how he was doing back in Estonian.

"Hosti. How do you feel about welcoming our guests today?" ask again.

"Excited!" answer's short.

"Cool-in. Then everyone get ready" orders Malor immediately welcomed our action.

We prepared everything. Video we want to show you. Ensuring presentation files and arranging chairs. Oh speaking of chairs, in addition to work chairs like ordinary offices, our office has many cushion chairs that are used to sit down to relax or also called bean bag. So work does not have to always sit at the table and then fixated in front of the computer with an upright sitting position. Work can also be done while lesehan or lying in a lounge chair that is specially prepared for kayaking on the beach. The office is transformed into a comfortable place and relaxed nuances in accordance with our office philosophy. Work should not forget having fun.

We arrange these lounge chairs with a U shape. Then some less behind him we added a regular table and chairs. Guests can choose to sit down, relax on a pillow or in a chair, or some space to stand if they want.

"Eh they've come, downstairs, who's picking you up?" Ask Luna.

"I'll go down, let me pick you up". Oksy put on his shoes and then went down to pick up our guests.

We all welcome them with joy. Seeing the faces of these students is like returning memories of yourself who had been a student. Alin opened our meeting by letting everyone introduce himself. Then he invited Malor to start the session.

Malor began to tell how he began the journey to give birth to this social enterprise digital platform. Why he has such a great interest in the beneficial impact on citizens who gain the power to fight for their rights. His background is an activist, fighting with grass-roots since the first encouraged him to create an e-democracy platform, where citizens can formulate their own topics to be discussed as needed, collect ideas, and discuss topics, vote and then recommend the idea to the government. There are many successful topics that are led by the community itself and successfully involve 1000 people. The issue was then taken to their parliament in Estonia for consideration.

"One of the stories of successful local communities through our platform is about the ban on logging in one of the locations in Estonia because local communities want to protect the Squirrels there. There are not many squirrels left and the local people want Squirrels to live well. They prohibit various development activities and so on that damage the forest. Then they lead the discussion and vote. Eventually their idea was heard by the government and the forest was well guarded".

The 15-year-old student heard Malor's story. They are beginning to understand what we are doing in this company and how we support the community in making its voice heard by the government.

"One of the other examples will be presented by Vashla. As Partnership Lead for Indonesia, he has successfully made changes there through several Indonesian Project that we work on, Vashla please" Malor gave a stage for me.

I stood before them and began a story about the history of democracy in general. What challenges are faced. Why it is important to encourage empowered and vocal communities and have the right tools.

I give an example of the Islands Project that we lead in Indonesia. How the island community voiced the issue of garbage that never ends on their island. Finally, through long discussions, gathering ideas, voting ideas, they managed to formulate the program they wanted. At the time of meeting the government and presentation, the local government approved and committed to running the program.

The students applauded when the sharing session ended. Our case-by-case presentations have made it easier for them to understand how our platform works. It was a happy day for me as a new staff. Proud to do something meaningful and see this as an achievement. E-democracy, I enjoy the process of working and studying here.

"Thank you for this precious experience" I told my boss.

"Palun" he replied in Estonian.