The last time we heard from Rovina Surat, this single mother of two was building a house from the money she had earned through selling clean energy technologies from Kopernik.
So, how is she doing now?
I recently got to meet Rovina in person when I visited her village in Beutaran, Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara. I’d heard so many incredible things about her, and to finally see her? I honestly got a bit starstruck. This lovely woman has the most infectious smile and warm personality - you can’t help but feel her energy.
I’m very happy to let you know that she has finally finished her house!
The house is small and simple. Half of it is made of layers of bricks and cement, and the rest is made from simple bamboo weave. “Good for breathing and ventilation”, said Rovina, while pointing at the traditional weave. With no connection to the electricity grid in her house, Rovina and her two daughters rely on a solar home system and solar lights from Kopernik for light.
My biggest surprise was to see the location of her humble home. It is a bit secluded from most houses in her village. Located way up on a rocky hill, the walk up could be quite exhausting. Nevertheless, when I arrived at Rovina’s house, it was all well worth the effort. The sunset view is nothing but magnificent: gorgeous crimson hues overlooking the Flores sea, and a silhouette of Ile Boleng mountain. It is a house with a million dollar view. If luxury resorts existed on Lembata Island, they would pay a lot of money for a view like this. Seeing Rovina standing in front of her house at sunset made me smile - and still makes me smile each time I remember it.
“NEXT TIME YOU COME BACK, WHY BOTHER STAYING AT A HOTEL? JUST STAY IN MY HOUSE!”, ROVINA INSISTED. AND YES, WITH THAT VIEW AND HER WARM HOSPITALITY, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I WILL DO.
Visiting her house, and seeing the little details, I feel like I know her better. I saw some lovely photos of her daughters during a school event on the wall, trophies from school competitions, and a photo of Rovina from when she visited Jakarta a few years ago. She is a loving mother who wants nothing but the best for her daughters.
SHE IS SUCH AN INSPIRATION, NOT JUST FOR HER DAUGHTERS, BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY IN HER VILLAGE. ONE OF THEM SAID, “I’M SO PROUD TO SEE ROVINA NOW. SHE HAS TRANSFORMED FROM A WEEPING WIDOW WITHOUT A HOUSE TO AN INSPIRING WOMAN IN OUR VILLAGE. THANKS TO HER AND THE SOLAR LIGHTS SHE SELLS, THE WHOLE VILLAGE DOESN’T HAVE TO LIVE IN COMPLETE DARKNESS ANYMORE”.
So, what’s next for her now?
“I WANT TO OPEN MY OWN SMALL KIOSK SELLING EVERYDAY GOODS. I’M OPENING MY OWN BANK ACCOUNT, SO I CAN SAVE MORE AND MAKE THIS DREAM COME TRUE,” SAID ROVINA.
For Rovina, our ‘wonder woman’, her next dream is firmly in focus.
Visiting her house, and seeing the little details, I feel like I know her better.
Sunset view from Mama Rovina's house.
She is a loving mother who wants nothing but the best for her daughters.
Seeing Rovina standing in front of her house at sunset made me smile - and still makes me smile each time I remember it.
Rovina and her two daughters rely on a solar home system and solar lights from Kopernik for light.
