Sandyawan Sumardi
Encyclopedia
Ignatius Sandyawan Sumardi is a Jesuit priest, closely linked to humanitarian activities in Indonesia
after the Indonesian 1998 Revolution.
, as the youngest son of the family that depended on his father's modest salary. Following his father, Kuncoro, as Sandyawan was called during his childhood, was raised in different places, from Ujung Pandang (Provincial capital of South Sulawesi, now called Makassar
) to Banjarnegara (where he finished the elementary school), to Bantul and Magelang
(where he entered the seminary school of his own choice), and then, finally, he entered the seminary school in Yogyakarta
. Since a very early age and especially during his period of study, Sandyawan developed an aspiration and life-mission to help the poor and others who were less fortunate. Sandyawan was ordained as priest in 1988.
He disguised himself as a sugar factory laborer in Kendal
, Central Java
. For one whole month, Sandyawan worked as a laborer. The next month, he disguised himself as a farmer laborer in a village in Wonosari. He also took the role of laborer around Jakarta. The longest time he has been in disguise is when he was a milk factory laborer in Cijantung. While in disguise, he was able to discuss and exchange conversations with the actual laborers about their problems.
While in Yogyakarta, he was active in educating and empowering the rickshaw drivers. He counseled homeless families in Indonesia. He also helped Father Mangunwijaya
in the latter's work with the displaced people of Kedung Ombo.
Upon being ordained, Sandyawan joined Institut Sosial Jakarta, an NGO which was founded in 1985 by several Catholic priests and monks focusing on counselling laborers. Soon after, Sandyawan was appointed as Operational Director of the NGO.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
after the Indonesian 1998 Revolution.
Early life
Son of Andreas Sumardi (a retired police lieutenant) and Suzana, he was born in Janeponto, South SulawesiSouth Sulawesi
South Sulawesi is a province of Indonesia, located on the western southern peninsula of Sulawesi Island. The province is bordered by Central Sulawesi province to the north, South East Sulawesi province to the east and West Sulawesi province to the west...
, as the youngest son of the family that depended on his father's modest salary. Following his father, Kuncoro, as Sandyawan was called during his childhood, was raised in different places, from Ujung Pandang (Provincial capital of South Sulawesi, now called Makassar
Makassar
Makassar, is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was named Ujung Pandang, after a precolonial fort in the city, and the two names are often used interchangeably...
) to Banjarnegara (where he finished the elementary school), to Bantul and Magelang
Magelang
Magelang is one of the largest cities of the 1,130 km² Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. It is also the largest town in the Kedu Plain between Mount Merbabu and Mount Sumbing in Central Java, Indonesia...
(where he entered the seminary school of his own choice), and then, finally, he entered the seminary school in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta (city)
Yogyakarta is a city in the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. It is renowned as a centre of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows. Yogyakarta was the Indonesian capital during the Indonesian National Revolution from 1945 to...
. Since a very early age and especially during his period of study, Sandyawan developed an aspiration and life-mission to help the poor and others who were less fortunate. Sandyawan was ordained as priest in 1988.
1980s
Sandyawan started as an activist when he was in the seminary in Yogyakarta, in mid 1980s. He studied the life of the poor's by putting on disguise and blend into the people, so that they don't know that he's a priest.He disguised himself as a sugar factory laborer in Kendal
Kendal
Kendal, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England...
, Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
. For one whole month, Sandyawan worked as a laborer. The next month, he disguised himself as a farmer laborer in a village in Wonosari. He also took the role of laborer around Jakarta. The longest time he has been in disguise is when he was a milk factory laborer in Cijantung. While in disguise, he was able to discuss and exchange conversations with the actual laborers about their problems.
While in Yogyakarta, he was active in educating and empowering the rickshaw drivers. He counseled homeless families in Indonesia. He also helped Father Mangunwijaya
Mangunwijaya
Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya , was an Indonesian architect, writer, and Catholic religious leader. He was often called Romo Mangun .-Biography:...
in the latter's work with the displaced people of Kedung Ombo.
Upon being ordained, Sandyawan joined Institut Sosial Jakarta, an NGO which was founded in 1985 by several Catholic priests and monks focusing on counselling laborers. Soon after, Sandyawan was appointed as Operational Director of the NGO.
1990s
In Indonesia his figure has become the focus of attention since the incident of 27 July 1996. While doing this he and his team continuously were hindered, mainly by those holding political/military power. Sandyawan's Independent Fact Finding Team, which intends to support those who become victims of brutal violence, mutilation and rape during the May 1998 riot, constantly have to face daily terrors and risk their lives.See also
- Indonesian 1998 Revolution