Ulfa

My daily life goes as follows: during the day, I go to the campus [in Jakarta, ed.], in the afternoon I rest, in the evening I work on school assignments or study. On my days off, I sometimes go out or stay in my room to spend time on social media. Luckily, I still see my friends, and I'm doing fine.

Fortunately, I am healthy and happy that I could come home to Banda briefly last January. While I was there, I helped my parents, sold my mother's cookies, bathed in the sea, ate fresh fish, and did so many more things I had missed badly.

For me, the most major effect of the pandemic is the restriction on social contact. At first, I found it relaxing that I didn't have to leave the house. But gradually staying at home became boring and tiring. Corona has made me more patient, and I have come to appreciate my time with friends and family better.

My encounter with Isabelle is the most special experience of my life. Isabelle captured me in a unique way and as it was. It was an unforced, honest look at my life. I am very grateful for Isabelle's hard work and effort. I am also grateful for the people who took the time to look at our story, the young people of Banda. I Love Banda is a reminder for me to keep studying and fighting. When I read my words in the book again, I realized that I was still so naive back then. At that time, I was more stubborn than I am now, and my 'I' was very dominant. I told in the book what I would like to become when I grew up, and until today, I try to stay true to what I said back then.