The Woman Behind the Silver Paint: Carrying Hope Amidst Suffering

Medan Sunggal, Medan City—(21/05/25) Among the thousands of faces passing by on the city streets, one figure made Jestham stop in his tracks. A young woman, her entire body covered in silver paint, stood by the roadside, gently swaying a tiny baby in her arms. That woman was Lia. At just 21 years old, she was already carrying the responsibility of being a mother to two children. Though her face showed exhaustion, Lia’s spirit never wavered. She was willing to work hard to support her husband, who also worked as a "silver human," ensuring their children would not endure the hardships she had experienced.

Lia shared that she had been accustomed to life on the streets since childhood. Abandoned by her parents without a trace, she was raised solely by her grandmother, who had since passed away. Without a complete family, Lia had to become independent early in life. By the age of 16, she was already pregnant with her first child. Now, at 21, she was caring for her second child, Alvaro, while struggling to make a living under the scorching sun. "I’ve lived on the streets since I was little—I’m used to it," she said with a resigned smile.

Despite living in scarcity, Lia refused to let her children go through the same struggles. She made sure their basic needs, such as milk and food, were met. "If we get enough earnings, once there’s enough for food and milk, we go home. No need to stay too long at the traffic light—it’s hard on the child," she explained. Lia chose to work just enough to provide for her children, as there was no one else to care for them but herself.

When asked about her parents, Lia fell silent. Her eyes welled up as she expressed her longing. "If possible, I wish they’d come back. I want to see them. I’ve never met them since I was little," she whispered. Though heartbroken, Lia refused to let her past weigh her down. She was determined to give her children the unconditional love she had never received.

Witnessing Lia’s struggles, Jestham was moved to offer assistance as an act of compassion. Tears streamed down Lia’s face as she accepted the unexpected help. "Thank you so much. May your blessings flow abundantly," she said gratefully. Jestham prayed that Lia and her family would always be protected, granted good health, and have ease in their livelihood.

Lia’s hope for her children was simple—she wanted them to have a better life than hers. "I want them to have a positive future, not like mine. The most important thing is their happiness," she said. Jestham also reminded her to always remember prayer, as it is God who provides sustenance and strength.

Despite her simplicity and limitations, this resilient mother carried an unyielding determination to break the cycle of hardship she had endured. Jestham ended their meeting with a heartfelt prayer: "May you and your family always be granted ease. Believe that behind every struggle, there is unexpected goodness waiting."