The memory of the tsunami disaster still lingers in Jeni's memory. At that time she was only 13 years old girl, still in 6th grade of elementary school. One can imagine the hustle and bustle of people running to save themselves, screaming and crying at the same time. Jeni was scared and ran to highland to save herself. The night that was originally serene and bright with moonlight turned to dark. In a state of hunger, the pair of clothes attached in her body is the only thing she brought. Jeni could only wait for the morning to come; hoping that tomorrow all this will be over and live returned to be normal.

After a few days at the IDPs (Internally Displaced People/people who have to flee within their own country) camp, a public kitchen was established aiming to make sure that everyone gets food and provided with clothes. With the only clothing attached to their body, the refugee had to endure clothes that were repeatedly went wet and dried on the body. Jeni went back to her house hoping to get a proper rest, but it turned out that the simple house where Jeni and the whole family shelter from the heat of the day and the cold of the night, was gone with only the concrete foundation remained. The house and its contents disappeared without a trace, swept away by the Tsunami.

Four years after the tsunami Jeni tried to start her new life, despite experiencing these difficulties while still in the phase of becoming a new adult phase. From her experience and observations so far, Jeni decide several scenarios that can be pursued.

First scenario is to get marriage. The majority of the girls in her village marry young. It is common. There are those who after completing elementary school, their parents have arranged their daughter’s marriage with a bachelor in the village. Often, their husbands are from neighboring villages. Jeni's mother and sisters had taken the same life path, becoming a mother at a young age and afterward, the struggle for life is endless and always follows the same cycle. This is not the path that she wants.

The second scenario is trying her luck in the big city. Being junior high school graduates, there are not many choices that can be taken. So Jeni has tried to be a domestic workers or a babysitters. The lack of experience and the hard-life of the big city actually made Jeni return to Paniis, Taman Jaya Village. At this time Jeni had the same faith as other women in her village whom are married, having children and having daily struggles to be able to get the food and fulfil their basic-needs.

Until one day, Jeni became acquainted with the program carried out by PATTIRO Banten and YAPPIKA-ActionAid. At first time, Jeni wasn't too interested, because she felt she couldn't do anything and was confined

by low self-esteem. After hearing her neighbour’s explanation, Jeni took a brave step. She participated in all workshops, discussion classes and various activities. It didn't take a long, it seemed as if the dark veil that separated Jeni from her future had disappeared. Everything looks bright and open other life scenarios options.

Involvement in research on child marriage, conducted with other teenagers and understanding the importance of self- worth, trust and self-love made Jeni aspire for more. Jeni understands the risks that might occur with child marriages. Not only do both of not understanding of their rights and obligations, early marriage is also vulnerable to domestic violence (Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga/KDRT). Currently, Jeni is actively embracing young women in Tamanjaya Village to care more about themselves, inviting them to explore their potential and develop themselves.

Long-buried ideals burst out unfettered. Jeni has to be someone.

“Being a teacher is a hidden dream that I used to think was nunattainable. Now Jeni wants to go to school again, wants to continue to high school," she said. And the choice of the third life scenario is mapped in front of the eyes complete with the steps.

Jeni's closest plan is to continue her education, which was stopped at junior high school. Now, Jeni is actively looking for information about scholarships or other free schools because currently Jeni can only rely on herself. "I don’t want to be a burden to my old mother, especially after my father passed away last Ramadhan," she said.

While engaging with her teenage friends through youth forums, and learning skills with women’s group who are members of the Rompok Awewe activity, Jeni becomes one of the agents of change who will create new awareness that women/girls can also be empowered, have strength and become reliable partners for men in creating a harmonious life together.

Jeni understands that education that was interrupted must be continued. Nothing can stop her. “I once participated in a discussion with the head of the village, at that time I said about the difficulties faced by teenagers in Tamanjaya to get high school level because the roads are damaged, so the head of the village wants to help. I also want to go to school again and there is a lot of support for me to get free schools, but I am still thinking about books and the transportation-cost to going to school,” said Jeni, the 17-year-old teenager girls who never gives up.