My name is Novy Lodder. I come from a small village in Indonesia, where life, though marked by poverty, was filled with simple joys. As a child, I spent my days playing in the rivers and fields, creating countless happy memories. With little money, I helped my mother and grandmother with daily chores. When my mother met my stepfather and had my two brothers, our financial situation became even tighter.
As I grew older, I felt a deep sense of duty to help my family, especially my brothers. I decided to leave for Hong Kong to earn money so we could build our own house and send my brothers to school. I found work as a domestic helper, unaware that the next two years would be a living nightmare. Upon arrival, my employers confiscated my passport, fed me very little food, and isolated me from the outside world.
Everything changed one day when my employer attempted to cut off my ear. Blood was everywhere, and the family panicked. They moved me to live with my grandmother, where I began learning Cantonese and gained a bit more freedom. I was eventually allowed to go to the market to buy food. There, I managed to get a mobile phone and contacted my mother, letting her know where I was. I also met other domestic helpers who informed me that my situation was not right.
I bided my time, and when my contract was up for renewal, I seized the opportunity to return to Indonesia. With newfound freedom, I moved to another employer who wanted me to cook for their family. I started learning to cook a variety of dishes, drawing inspiration from my mother, grandmother, and the preferences of the people I worked for. Over the years, my skills improved, and my passion for cooking grew.
Today, I have been in Hong Kong for 25 years, running Novy's Kitchen, where I cook traditional Indonesian food for my clients. Looking back, I am amazed at how far I have come. One piece of advice I give to anyone is not to think "Why me?" but to learn from their situation and plan how to move forward. I live life with a smile and a positive outlook. Despite facing tough times and the loss of both my parents, I always look forward.
I have learned many things: to be strong even when things are hard, to hope even when it seems impossible, and that food can bring happiness to people. My life is better now, but I never forget where I came from. I want to help others who have been through hard times.
There is more to my story, and I will share it with you soon. In the meantime, I invite you to watch the documentary I was featured in, "Voices Unheard: Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong."
Stay strong, stay hopeful, and always keep moving forward.
Novy
Check out this talk for Entrepreneurs of Lantau in March 2024
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