Omah Akromah, Love and Loyalty for All
Omah Akromah, 63, shows the importance of loyalty. She remains the “mother” for survivors of the Sunda Strait tsunami when many other displaced person camps in Pandeglang, Banten, closed their doors. Not wanting the survivors to live in vain after the disaster, she shared a number of tips with them.
After completing various household matters, Omah headed to the Al-Ikhlas meeting hall in Labuan, Pandeglang, located about 50 meters away from her house. There, hundreds of Sunda Strait tsunami survivors waited for her. They awaited the distribution of basic necessities from donors.
“Distribution of basic goods is the biggest challenge. Survivors fought each other to get it. I used to call them one by one so the distribution went smoothly, no one took the package twice,” she said. This method was also used to get the latest update on the number of displaced people. Omah had been trusted as a coordinator on Dec. 26, 2018, four days after the tsunami hit the Sunda Strait.
To help get collect data, she got also involved in arranging boxes containing rice, instant noodles, toothpaste and mineral water. In addition to facilitating distribution, the method was used to measure the amount of aid that was available. The inventory is crucial to determine the amount of assistance distributed to survivors.
With all those activities, don’t be surprised to realize she is the earliest to arrive and the last volunteer to go home. Omah wants to ensure the needs of survivors are served, from food to health. She is ready to help
anytime. “Once, in the middle of the night, I helped take a sick person to a health center. I did it with fun. Don\'t complain of being tired. Our hearts must be clean. Just be sincere,” she said smiling.
Recovery
The Majelis Taklim Al-Ikhlas meeting hall has become a temporary “home” for the disaster survivors who still stay in Pandeglang. This area is the worst affected district.
The number of refugees in the district peaked at 33,000 people who lived in more than 50 locations. As time passed, the number of camps dropped. The camp at Majelis Taklim Al-Ikhlas is the only remaining camp. As of Monday (Jan. 28, 2019), the number of camp residents amounted to 235 people. Not only from Labuan, they also come from other subdistricts in Pandeglang, such as Jiput and Saketi.
Many of the survivors did not previously live in refugee camps. After the disaster, with their savings, the residents rented a house or room. However, because they could not find work, they ran out of money and switched to staying in camps.
There were also survivors who had fled to relatives’ homes. However, because they were reluctant to stay too long, they chose to move to camps to ease the burden on the family.
“If in other places it [number of people] decreases, here the number continues to increase. At the beginning of January, there were 168 people in the Majelis Taklim Al-Ikhlas building,” Omah said.
Omah’s sincerity was acknowledged by many as being a magnet for refugees to stay at the Majelis Taklim Al-Ikhlas. The conditions of the ideal infrastructure, which Omah fought for, such as shared toilets are another factor. Omah ensured that the camp was the second home. Everything must be prepared perfectly.
Village supervisory noncommissioned officer (Babinsa) chief Sgt. Tahir said Omah was very dedicated. If new survivors arrive at the refugee camp, Omah always welcomes them. There was never different treatment between old and new residents.
“Omah is always ready to provide mats, food, blankets and medicines,” said Tahir.
Not just being a transit point and logistics distribution post, the camp managed by Omah also deals with the mental health of survivors of disasters. A set of rules to maintain discipline are prepared. Omah does not want the survivors to relax. With her mind and heart that are still fresh, she is optimistic she will become an inspiration for refugees to organize life after the disaster.
Omah enacted and supervised the schedules for the mothers to maintain cleanliness. “All must recover from the disaster, at least they have optimism living with the people around them. I thank them all for doing it,” she said.
Meanwhile, the adult men conducted security patrols on schedule. Alternately, six men monitor the security around the camp every day from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. “They are served with coffee and snacks. Thank God, so far no items have been lost,” she said.
Uniquely, Omah’s firmness did not make survivors leave the place. Some survivors were about to be relocated, but they refused. “They just want to be here even though the other camps are bigger. It’s fine here. Orderly,” she said.
Back to school
Omah’s has many experiences in sharing love. Previously, she had conducted various social activities. She said since she was young she had been active in a variety of activities such as student councils or scouts.
Omah also used to take sick local residents to the Puskesmas. She was grateful that none of them had a severe illness. “They suffered breathing problems. Thank God, after being treated, they recovered,” she said.
One of the biggest achievements was when she brought many drop-out children back to study through Kejar Paket A, B and C programs. Almost all of them are children of poor fishermen in Labuan. Omah did not know the exact number of children she had helped. When she retired from her profession as a teacher in 2015, she estimated that there were around 50 children who she had returned to school.
“We encourage dropouts to take part in Kejar Paket A, B and C. They happen to be children of fishermen that have no boats. Poor. The children leave school to help their parents make a living at sea,” she said.
Omah said she would continue to serve the camp. Family blessings are with her. She was given the freedom to accompany survivors even though she always left home in the morning and often returned before the turn of the day.
Omah has no objection to reach out to others. As long as she is given life by the Almighty, as long as her frail body is strong enough, Omah wants to continue to do many good things for anyone.
Omah Akromah
Born: Pandeglang, Banten, May 29, 1955 Husband: Mimin Muhaemin , 63
Children:
- Irfan Sariful Alam, 43,
- Faisal Akrobi, 41,
- Reno Triharto, 39,
- Fahru Ardiansyah, 36,
- Ari Ruhbi Sultana, 31,
- Muhammad Akmal Maulana, 17,
Education:
- SD Negeri 1 Pandeglang, Banten (1962-1968)
- SMP Negeri 1 Labuan, Kabupaten Pandeglang, Banten (1968-1971)
- School for teachers Sekolah Pendidikan Guru (SPG) Negeri Pandeglang, Banten (1971-1974)
- Open University majoring elementary school teaching Bogor, Jawa Barat (1992-1994)