Terenia Puspita, from East Java, has been studying English literature and translation through a distance learning programme at the Open University of Indonesia for the past two years… all while working full-time as a domestic helper in Hong Kong.
The ambitious young woman explained her motivation in an interview with i-Cable, saying she admires “smart girls” and expressed her desire to “be independent”.
Instead of following the example of her mother, who got married at 19, Puspita says she wants to “break tradition”. “I’m a domestic helper, it doesn’t mean I don’t have a dream.”
The 25-year-old told AM730 that she believed knowledge can “change your fate”.
“Getting married isn’t my goal in life… I don’t want to rush into it, instead of waiting for someone special. Women should use knowledge to build their own careers and live their own lives… I want to live on my own terms.”
To achieve her goal, Puspita studies after she finishes her domestic work every night, at around 10pm. “After a shower, I read and do my homework. I don’t sleep until 2 or 3am… sometimes while my books and laptop are still open,” she told i-Cable.
Ultimately, she hopes to attend Harvard or Oxford on a scholarship. “I know that dream’s too big for me, but who knows? Keep dreaming, and keep doing what you have to do.”
Along with Puspita, Nyami Kaswadi, owner of mobile library Pandu Pustaka, author Arista Devi, and library owner Aiyu Nara were all featured in an exhibition entitled “A Room of Their Own” last month, which explored the thriving literary culture amongst Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong.
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