The Story of Hikmat, a Blind Person who Successfully Creates an Independent Business Field

BANDUNG CITY (April 28th, 2024) – "I believe when one door of sustenance closes, Allah opens other doors of sustenance," said Hikmat Firdaus, Shiatsu instructor at "Wyata Guna" Center in Bandung when asked about the process he went through to move on in life.

In the beginning, Hikmat didn't expect that the side effects after meningitis surgery made his vision impaired. Hikmat lost total vision in the left eye and 5-10 percent of vision in the right eye. The happiness of his youth was taken away. The education he was currently undertaking at a well-known campus in the city of Bandung was forced to stop.

Hikmat refused to be called visually disabled since he was optimistic about recovering after undergoing various alternative treatments. Time went by, he began to accept the situation and look for ways to live independently. According to his friend’s information, Hikmat took part in shiatsu massage training for blind sensory disabilities at "Wyata Guna" Center in Bandung. Apart from shiatsu, for three years, he received training in nursing home management, management of therapists and patients, as well as internship opportunities. Unexpectedly, Hikmat's entry into "Wyata Guna" Center in Bandung succeeded in changing his life.

In 2006, Hikmat started his career as an entrepreneur and “Paradise” Shiatsu Massage therapist in Cimahi City. During its 18 years of existence, "Paradise" Shiatsu Massage business has not only improved Hikmat and his family’s economy, but also brought benefits to nine other therapists, who are also sensory-blind Hikmat's recruits.

This former Chemical Engineering student said that every month, his business receives around 600 to 700 patients at a rate of IDR 50,000 per patient with a turnover of around IDR 20-22 million per month. "If each therapist treats 60 patients per month at a rate of IDR 50,000, then each therapist gets IDR 3-4 million per month.  "That's clean and doesn't include tips," said Hikmat.

Even though his shiatsu massage business is growing, Hikmat is not stingy on knowledge. He opens up opportunities for people with visual sensory disabilities who want to learn shiatsu through "Wyata Guna" Center in Bandung, or personally. He hopes that in the midst of difficult job competition, many sensory-blind friends will have jobs so they will be economically independent.

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs