Arisan is a social gathering in which members contribute a set amount of money at each meeting. The total collected is then given to one member, usually selected randomly or by agreement, and this rotates until everyone has received the pot once.
Every month, my community holds an arisan. It is a great way for us to meet and socialize with our neighbors. We have a total of 15 members in the group. Each person contributes 50,000 IDR, which is about 3 to 4 US dollars, depending on the exchange rate.
The process is simple and fun. We write all the members' names on small pieces of paper and place them in a can. Then, we draw one name at random. The person whose name is drawn receives the collected money for that month. It's not a large amount, but it helps and keeps the group active.
More than just money, arisan is about spending time together. After the draw, we usually stay to chat, drink coffee, and smoke. It’s a time to relax and catch up with each other.
Sometimes, we even play cards until midnight. It’s a monthly tradition we all look forward to.
The arisan tradition in our community has been running for four years. It’s more than just a way to save money—it’s something we all enjoy because it brings us closer together. We look forward to each monthly gathering.
During these moments, we don’t just talk or play cards. Sometimes, we also discuss serious issues, like the environment or how to fix clogged sanitation systems in our neighborhood. These discussions often lead to real action.
On the next holiday, we usually work together to solve the problems we talked about. That’s life in our community—simple but full of care. We know each other well, support one another, and take pride in keeping our neighborhood clean and connected.
Our arisan is more than saving money. It strengthens friendship, builds community spirit, and inspires us to work together for a better environment.
