ACEH TAMIANG —-— Darkness enveloped the Rantau area of Aceh Tamiang as the Dompet Dhuafa team traveled along roads still covered in mud left behind by flash floods that had passed three weeks earlier. In the midst of their mission to distribute 1,000 meals, the headlights of a motor vehicle pierced the silence. Above it, a woman appeared panicked, her face betraying both fear and urgent hope.
She was Timah Ros (38), a resident of Pajak Pagi Hamlet, Rantau Pauh Village, who had lost many of her possessions due to the flash floods and landslides in Sumatra. However, that night, food aid was not the first thing she was looking for.
“Please help me, sir, today is the deadline, the last day,” said the fisherman’s daughter softly and frantically.
Ros is a temporary biology teacher at SMA 1 Rantau who has served for 10 years. That day, Monday (12/15/2025), was the deadline for part-time P3K registration, an opportunity she had been waiting for to improve her life.
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However, disaster seemed to test his dreams. His house was submerged in water that almost reached the ceiling, his laptop was completely damaged by the water, and most crucially, there was a total power outage that caused all communication networks in the evacuation area to shut down.
It was only in the afternoon, when his cell phone briefly turned on, that he realized his comrades were looking for him and informing him that time was running out. Without hesitation, he sped off on his motorcycle with his son, braving the darkness, even though he had no idea where to find a signal.
Seeing Ros trembling with fear at the thought of driving 1.5 hours to Langsa City alone in the midst of the tense darkness and devastated terrain, the Dompet Dhuafa Disaster Management Center (DMC) team moved quickly.
Afriza Adha, one of the DMC personnel, decided to separate from the food distribution team. He chose to escort and accompany Ros through the darkness to the Dompet Dhuafa Post in Langsa City, which was equipped with emergency WiFi facilities.
“At that moment, I saw that Ros was truly at a point between anxiety and hope. We knew that food distribution was important, but saving the future of a teacher who had served for 10 years was also a humanitarian mission. I felt I had to accompany her because the road conditions were very dark and dangerous if she had to go alone in a state of panic,” said Afriza Adha, recalling the moment when he saw the glimmer of despair in Ros’s eyes.
Upon arriving at the Dompet Dhuafa Post in Langsa City, the atmosphere was tense. With her fingers still trembling slightly, Ros tried to input her registration data. Using the free internet facility provided by Dompet Dhuafa for flood survivors, the administrative process was guided directly by Afriza.
The time was 10:30 p.m. when the laptop screen displayed the notification “Registration Successful.” Immediately, an emotional atmosphere broke out. Ros’s tense face melted into tears of happiness and relief. Warm hugs from the Dompet Dhuafa women’s team welcomed her success. Amidst the grief of losing her possessions due to the flood, that night she managed to save her future as a teacher.
The free WiFi service provided at the Dompet Dhuafa Post has proven to be crucial. This is because the post is not only useful for communicating with family, but more than that, it has become a lifeline for those whose work depends on digital connectivity.
For Ros, meeting the Dompet Dhuafa team that night was not just a coincidence. It was the answer to the prayers of a teacher who did not give up on the situation.
“Thank you, sir. If I hadn’t met the Dompet Dhuafa team on the road earlier, I wouldn’t know what to do,” said Ros with teary eyes, before returning to the evacuation center with a much lighter heart.
Friends, you too can play a role in strengthening the humanitarian response for flood survivors in Sumatra. Your donations will help provide food, medicine, health services, and long-term recovery. Channel your best assistance through SOLIDARITAS BANTU SUMATERA BANGKIT. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil