Passing through thick mud, climbing damaged, uphill roads and walking for hours. All of the endeavors were conducted by local volunteers at the location of the flash floods and landslides in Bogor regency, West Java.
By
AGUIDO ADRI/STEFANUS ATO/J GALUH BIMANTARA
·5 minutes read
Some of the volunteers were also the victims of the disaster. For the sake of humanity, Sunarno ,37, for example, did not want to remain silent and do nothing. In fact, Sunarno was one of the victims of the landslide that swept through Nyomplong hamlet in Kiarapandak village, Sukajaya district, Bogor, on Jan. 1.
The hamlet, located on the hillside slopes, can no longer be occupied. All residents, including Sunarno and his family, sought refuge in a safer place in Pasir Walang II hamlet, Harkatjaya village, Sukajaya district.
"This is a humanitarian problem. I’m indeed a victim but I also have to go down to help fellow victims," said the father of two children, who is familiarly called Kang Nano.
On Sunday (26/1/2020) around 8 a.m., Sunarno and Ginanjar ,36, took as many as 12 volunteers from Ciberani hamlet in Pasir Madang village, Sukajaya district.
This is a humanitarian problem. I’m indeed a victim but I also have to go down to help fellow victims.
Arriving at the Pasir Walang II relief center at around 9 a.m., the group got out of the car and had to walk as they carried a bag containing basic needs weighing 60-70 kilograms.
After about three hours of walking through the hills prone to landslides, with mud everywhere, the group finally arrived at Ciberani hamlet, which is surrounded by hillsides. Upon arrival at the village post, the humanitarian aid was handed over to the landslide victims.
Enah ,40, whose house was destroyed, cried when she received the relief from the volunteers. A number of mothers hugged Enah and encouraged her to be strong in facing the ordeal. A broad smile and relief emanated from the volunteers.
The smile did not last long because they had to immediately return through the same path. "This is what we do almost every day since five days after the disaster, such as escorting volunteers to bring supplies. Many were not prepared to take the trips like this. There were also those who were angry and protested because the path was so dirty, muddy and rocky. In fact, it was a normal condition during a disaster, said Ginanjar.
The disaster should remind us that God Almighty created the universe, forests, trees and rivers.
No less exciting challenges were also experienced by Ajiz Sulaeman ,37, and 10 of his friends from the Karang Taruna Sukajaya youth organization, when they delivered basic needs and school supplies to Cileuksa and Sukajaya villages. It took more than four hours by motorcycle to reach the areas. There was fog, rain, uphill roads and thick mud, which caused slippage.
"The disaster should remind us that God Almighty created the universe, forests, trees and rivers. Hopefully, we could learn that nature must be protected, “said Ajiz.
When the motorcycles could not pass the damaged road, they had to walk on foot carrying sacks containing basic needs while waiting for the other group to get out of the mud puddle. "In addition to food, our priority is to bring school needs. The educational activities must continue, "said the madrasa school teacher.
Emergency school
Ajiz was right with his opinion. At the disaster relief center in Seupang village, part of Pajagan village in Sajira district, Lebak regency, Banten, emergency schools were crowded with children affected by the disaster. Classes were carried out under tents. Wooden boards were used as the floor for the students of the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah / MI Mathla\'ul Anwar Islamic elementary school.
The location of the disaster in Lebak is near the Ciberang River. The disaster affected areas in Lebak and Bogor are located on the same hill but on different slopes but under different district authorities.
The madrasah is the only school in Seupang. The madrasah building and 40 houses were destroyed by flooding. Nevertheless, as many as 49 students of the madrasah remained enthusiastic.
"Siti Nur Sajadah is here?" asked Muhammad Saepul Rahman when he called the names of the students one by one to ensure that they were all present. Suddenly, there was laughter. The teacher had skipped the name of one of their colleagues, Siti Nur Sajidah. She pretended to sulk.
After successfully encouraging the children, Rahman began his lesson for the day. Rahman is actually not a teacher. He is still a student. The 18-year-old young man is a senior at Madrasah Aliyah Islamic high school in Mathla\'ul Anwar Baros, Lebak. Rahman and five other students of the Islamic high school were asked to help teach and raise the spirit of their younger siblings in Seupan.
"Every time there is a disaster, many schools are affected. So, we initiated opening an emergency school with our limited capacity," said the resident of Kampos Baros, hamlet in West Kaduagung village, Cibadak district. Flash floods and landslides that occurred in six districts in Lebak not only damaged houses and public facilities, such as bridges, but also made a number of schools damaged or swept away by flooding.
The empathy to help the needy was taught at the school where Rahman studied. The Mathla\'ul Anwar Islamic high school in Baros has a compulsory program for students, namely “amaliyah tadris” or teaching practice. He and his colleagues had been sent to teacher at a number of elementary schools in two villages. The program is similar to the community service (KKN) program conducted by students at universities.
"As a volunteer, Rahman only teaches at the madrasah twice a month. Moreover, the head of the Mathla\'ul Anwar Baros school also took part in helping victims at Seupang. "Our school principal is so kind," said Rahman with a smile.
Therefore, there is no reason for Rahman and his friends not to finish school. Rahman plans to go to college, even though he has not yet determined his intended major. The most important thing is that his education allows him to help others.