My name is Imam Busairi, started to work as a sulfur miner in 1989. At that time my parents were very poor, we life in a simple way. We don’t have home and should gather with my uncle. I have 4 siblings and my father had a very minimal income. I remember at that time, one day I eat rice and sweet potatoes only, because there is not enough rice to cook. I have younger brothers who at that time wanted to eat rice, but we had only cassava.

Living with such conditions of deprivation, then my uncle,  pak Taslim, asked me to join him working in the  sulfur mines.  That was the first time I saw people carrying sulfur and  how they weighted them and get money right away. Immediately I was excited to get the money directly every day like that, there’s nothing could happier than fulfill our food to life.

In 1989, the road condition  to transport the sulfur was nothing easier like now. We should  carry the sulfur with further distance of 21km along, from the crater toward the weighing station in Tamansari village. This is the beginning of my journey as a miner in the crater which I started at age 18. I still remember for the first time to carry sulfur by only 20kg, however it made my feet swell and couldn’t walk properly for 3 days. It’s not bad, I can support my family by buying rice.

Working on kawah ijen despite facing the hardship, I could enjoy the beauty of scenery over there. This gave me a lithe breath to relax for awhile.

Next, I will write my journey to you more, and please follow those post next time. Sampai jumpa!