A Ramadan Story: Insan Harita's Devotion Despite Being Distant from Loved Ones

22 April 2024

Ramadan is eagerly anticipated by Muslims worldwide, including thousands of Insan Harita on Obi Island. Despite being distant from the city and unable to celebrate with family, they remain determined to seek blessings and grace during this sacred month.

Dwi Retno Apriani Putri, a Dental Assistant at Harita Nickel Clinic, discovered the Ramadan spirit while balancing her duties at the Obi site. This year marks her second Ramadan on Obi Island since joining Harita Nickel in 2022. While she's accustomed to being away from family, this time feels different as she juggles her responsibilities as a wife and mother.

"This isn't the first time I've been away from my family for work, but it's my first time experiencing it since getting married and becoming a parent," she mentioned.

Even though she's familiar with working away from home, Dwi admits she often misses her husband and child. To ease her longing, she frequently connects with her small family through video calls.

During Ramadan, she often invites her husband and child to share virtual suhoor and iftar meals. She feels it helps ease her longing for the familial warmth of Ramadan. 

Muhammad Safriyanto, a Community Development Staff at Harita Nickel, joined the company just six months ago. Safri, as his coworkers call him, expressed his joy in experiencing Ramadan vibe in eastern Indonesia for the first time, particularly at the Obi site.

 “This is a new experience for me. I've been working away from home before, but it’s only this year that I’m enjoying Ramadan in Eastern Indonesia. The atmosphere is different. Maybe because everyone here is also far from their families. So, we all try to fill each other’s voids with activities that involve togetherness,” Safri said. Furthermore, he believes that the solidarity among the Insan Harita has somehow cured their longing for the warmth of Ramadan at home.

Ramadan on Obi Island brings challenges for Dwi, Safri, and other Insan Harita members. Despite being away from family, they push through with determination and enthusiasm until the end of this sacred month.