"We can not choose which family we are born into".

The smiling girl began to tell her story.  "I come from a poor family. My mother worked tirelessly to support my three brothers because my father was sick and could not earn a living. She goes after everything from offering fish to vegetables to home-cooked meals in the village. Before the pandemic, things were better because there were many visitors and tourists, so a lot of the food my mother sold was bought.  I not only offered food, but also helped by offering a rental mat (for lying on the beach). At that time it was easier to raise money to meet the family's needs."

Ulfi is the eldest of 3 siblings and is currently a 6th semester student at the Islamic University (STAI) Darunnajah  Menes Pandeglang. Apart from her studies, Ulfi is also a volunteer teacher at Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTS) Al-Khairiyah Pasauran, Serang Regency. Ulfi has to work alongside her studies to pay her tuition fees. Ulfi not only has to contribute to the family's livelihood, but is also determined to set a good example or her younger siblings. According to Ulfi, growing up in a poor family is not easy, as people often underestimated her because she comes from a weaker economic background.

Every time Ulfi expresses her thoughts and ideas, she feels that she is not well received by the residents and officials in her village. "Whose child are you?" becomes a harsh question for Ulfi, who seems condescending and underestimated. Not only does this undermine her self- confidence, Ulfi has also become a silent child. Being passive is a powerful self- defence system and does not provoke controversy.

But these are old stories for Ulfi. There is no longer a trace of a quiet and passive girl in Ulfi. She has transformed into an energetic young woman who sees the world as a place where she can challenge herself, and this begins in the place closest to her, the village of Umbul Tanjung. Ulfi goes through an extraordinary process of self-knowledge, becomes aware of her potential and has confidence in her abilities.

Her self-transformation began when she participated in the PATTIRO Banten and YAPPIKA-ActionAid programmes, which encouraged Ulfi to become more involved in youth and women's activities  in Umbul Tanjung village in Serang district. Initially, Ulfi participated in the programme together with the mothers. As he was the only teenager actively participating in the programme, Ulfi suggested that a youth forum be formed. Ulfi believes that teenagers also need an understanding of disaster risk reduction, especially the protection of women and children. By understanding the issue early, Ulfi believes that cases of domestic violence can be reduced in the future.

Ulfi continues to sharpen her critical thinking to benefit society. Ulfi has wide- ranging powers of observation. First, Ulfi heard and saw something unusual in the flow of the river that forms the boundary between Pasauran village and Umbul Tanjung village. The river is used by the

villagers for bathing and washing. The river water, which is normally clear, had a black liquid at that time and had an impact on the health of the village community.

After an investigation, it was found that a company operating in the area had a waste leak. With the help of the Banten PATTIRO team (the third phase of ANCP), Ulfi then lobbied the company's management about the problem. Ulfi's efforts are supported by the villagers. Thanks to good cooperation, they have managed to force the water company to repair its sewage system so that it does not pollute the river, and to compensate the people who were harmed.

Ulfi not only initiated the establishment of the Umbul Tanjung Village Youth Forum, but also helped in fundraising, as sufficient financial support was needed to conduct activities and various trainings. At a meeting with young people at the forum, the idea of restoring a prayer house came up. The programme was later called Musholla Edukasi (Mini Mosque for Education).

"In Ulfi's village there is an abandoned prayer room, and there are no meetings. It would be better to reactivate it instead of using it in vain. So that there is a place of worship for the residents, but also a

centre for the activities of the Youth Forum. Because at the moment we do not have a permanent place to work." The idea for this educational mosque came about because Ulfi saw the need for a place for activities for the youth in her village. Besides activating the prayer space for its original function, there will also be a place for children and youth education later on.

"Sometimes creativity emerges when we gather. When an idea comes out, others add to it, making the idea stronger and easier

to implement," said Ulfi, who is currently seeking permission from the mosque's owner. The next step will be for them to think about how to raise funds to implement the educational mosque programme. Ulfi believes that many problems of the villages and the youth can be overcome if this idea is implemented. Because when a teenager has no activities, he tends to be influenced by bad things that harm himself, his family and even society, Ulfi said.

Ulfi and her village youth forum already have a detailed plan for the educational mosque. There will be a reading garden there, because everyone needs to learn the importance of reading. There will also be an Al-Qur'an educational park for children.

The open space next to the prayer room can also be used as a learning space and planted with plants.

Once a shy young girl, Ulfi has become the pride of the community, working against injustice and for gender equality, inspiring young women that it does not matter what kind of family we are born into. We are the reason for the change of destiny, not other people, so keep fighting and fighting, then later a way out will be found for those who want to try. The search for life, the hard work of finding tuition fees and changing the family's fate are not over yet, but Ulfi has much more confidence in life now.