Staining Hope In 14 Pregnancy: Farida's Story, Cheriatna, And Cheria's Family

These are the families of Cheriatna and Farida Ningsih with their 14 children. (IST)

JAKARTA - In the boisterous commemoration of World Children's Day 2025, public attention is again looking at large families with an unusual number of children. Not only Gen Halilintar with 11 children, or the Kamaruddin 'Najerah couple in Southeast Sulawesi who set a MURI record with 16 children. In Jakarta, there is another family that is no less unique: Cheria Family, with 14 children growing up in a atmosphere of laughter, discipline, and big dreams.

They are the couple Cheriatna (51) and Farida Ningsih (50) two figures who combine hard work, belief, and the principles of educating children like future leaders. We're just trying to follow the mandate," said Cheriatna. Children are long-term investments, not burdens."

The Beginning Of A Marriage Full Of Struggle

Not many know, the first decade of their marriage in the early 2000s was the toughest time. Every day there is only rice and salt on the dining table. Cheriatna works whatever is halal: selling flowers, delivering newspapers, to pedaling odong-odong around the complex.

Business for business is tried. Selling groceries, business promotion services via blog, to property marketing and foreign tour packages from home. I just work in sarongs. The important thing is that I can walk," recalls Cheriatna with a laugh.

But the turning point came in 2010 when the collaboration with the travel agent where he worked suddenly stopped. For many people it was a crushing blow. But for Cheriatna and Farida, that was an impetus. They decided to open their own business. "In fact, after that many want to use our services," he said.

From this determination and determination, Cheria Holiday was born in 2012, which will later be known as the pioneer of halal tourism in Indonesia.

Cheria Philosophy: Halal Tourism As Da'wah

Cheria's name is not just a brand. It's prayer, hope, and family identity. For Cheriatna, every trip is a da'wah space. We want Muslims to be able to go anywhere, without worrying about halal, prayer time, or worship facilities," he explained.

Cheria Holiday's journey is growing rapidly, from Asia to Europe, from planning halal tours to tourism education according to sharia. "Everything must bring happiness," he said.

Home Without Television, Formal Schoolless Children

The couple's decision may be controversial for some Indonesian families. All children do not go to formal school. No one enters regular school, from elementary to high school. Their home is also without television.

Farida, a woman with three undergraduate degrees and a master's degree scholarship, actually feels her academic experience is irrelevant to the real world. I spend a lot of time on something that is not used in business," he said.

He is determined to educate his children non-formally: study groups, PAUD for toddlers, and the formation of interest from an early age. "If possible, at the age of 12, parents already know where to lead children," he said.

His vision is simple: children must be ready to be entrepreneurs, not just being job seekers.

Fourteen Undisclosed Pregnancy, Laughter And Wounds

Behind the large number of children, there is a bitter story they rarely share.

In the first year of marriage, Farida became pregnant without realizing it. He was too busy studying three majors at once and working on thesis writing services. His body was exhausted to tafus. When examined, his gestational age was six months.

"The doctor said the fetus was weak. I was told to bed rest," he recalled.

Their first child was born, but did not cry. Abdul Rohman, as they pinned, died less than an hour after birth. "Every time I remember, my heart was shaking," said Farida while holding back tears.

The trial has not stopped. Farida had two miscarriages at the gestational age of 2 and 3 months.

But after the storm, a beautiful baby Chefa came who returned color in their small house. After that, children for children were present: Rabitha, Refah, Zaka, Radja, Ridho, Muthiah, Ibrahim, Fatimah, Maryam, to the youngest Asma who was born in 2023.

"Asma's presence is like a silver wedding gift," said Farida with a laugh. "Even though I think it's stopped production."

In total, Farida is 14 times pregnant, with 11 children who are now growing together.

Seven Children, Seven Pillars Of Cheria Holiday Business

The success of Cheria Holiday today is not only the work of two people, but the whole family. Seven children now play a strategic role in business:

They work not because they are told to, but because they are raised in the culture of hard work and the value of da'wah.

"The point is, we want to inspire. Success must be supported by integrity, hard work, and the values of life," said Cheriatna, author of the Traveler Family book: Around the World the Results of Sarongan Work.

Warming End

The story of the Cheria Family is not just a story about many children. This is a story about determination forged by difficulties, patience tested for loss, and dreams of growing up from a simple home without television.

In the midst of a fast-paced world, this family still believes that happiness is built on interaction, hard work, and mutual strengthening. From laughter, from tears, and from the journey they go through together every day.