EAST FLORES, EAST NUSA TENGGARA — The sun began to rise in the cool air of Boru Village, Wulanggitang District, East Flores Regency. Visible from a field behind the village was the calm Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, despite being covered in foggy clouds.
Several men were seen laying out banana leaves in neat rows on a blue tarp. The sound of metal scraping could be heard as one of them sharpened a knife blade.
More people arrive later, bringing two cows. Around 6:00 AM WITA on the first day of Tasyrik, Saturday (June 7, 2025), the Eid al-Adha takbir for the year 1446 Hijri echoes through the village.
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Prayers were recited. With solemnity and joy, the sacrificial animals were slaughtered. Shortly thereafter, banana leaves are spread out, with pieces of sacrificial meat laid upon them.
On that morning, survivors of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi were joyfully receiving meat from the Animal Sacrifice Distribution Program (THK), a donation from Dompet Dhuafa. Among those expressing gratitude were the family of Sri and Mama Isya.
Sri is a survivor of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, who at that time fled to Larantuka. When we met her at her home during the distribution of THK, the impact of the eruption was clearly visible. The roof was open, and the zinc sheets had come loose. The house was filled with wet volcanic ash left over from the rain.
“The living room and bedroom are destroyed, and there’s no roof either. So when it rains, water comes in. The important thing is that the bedroom and kitchen are covered with tarps. My three-year-old child also has to endure this situation,” Sri explained, her eyes welling up with tears.
Her husband stopped working several months after the eruption. Since then, her small family has survived on food and logistical assistance from disaster relief efforts.
“Now, getting food is difficult, so this sacrificial meat is very meaningful to us. Thank you so much,” she said, happily.
The same was true for Mama Isya when she received the distribution of sacrificial meat. She is an elderly survivor of the eruption who lives alone in her home, which was also affected by the eruption. Although she did not yet know what she would cook with it, she was happy because THK had come to visit her that morning.
One of the donors, Rahmi Syofia, volunteered again to participate directly in the THK distribution alongside Dompet Dhuafa. She is known as Mimi Campervan Girl, a traveler and social activist who seeks and spreads meaning through local wisdom.
This year marks the second time Mimi has been involved in THK activities with Dompet Dhuafa.
After visiting Kei Island in Maluku last year, she is now exploring the Eid al-Adha celebrations in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Before the distribution, she initiated a call for collective Eid al-Adha donations among her followers on social media. This inspired the public to spread the benefits of Eid al-Adha in the 3T regions (remote, outer, and deepest) of Indonesia.
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“I witnessed the THK process firsthand with Dompet Dhuafa in Maluku last year, and it was eye-opening and educational. The areas I visited were new to me, and I saw the happiness and benefits for the recipients I met, as well as learned about the principles of sacrificial offerings,” explained Mimi.
Alhamdulillah, Mimi Campervan’s spirit of kindness inspired 28 sacrificial donors to join in sharing happiness through Dompet Dhuafa’s THK program. A total of five cows and nine goats were distributed to three villages in East Flores Regency.
“I’ve learned a lot from the people I’ve met through this journey. Being grateful for life and becoming a ‘healing’ for myself. At the same time, I enjoy the process of maintaining the connection with the sacrificial donors and Dompet Dhuafa,” she added.
In East Nusa Tenggara, the Tebar Hewan Kurban (THK) program distributed 128 cows and 50 goats. These sacrificial animals, equivalent to 1,646 doka, were distributed across 15 districts, including: Kupang City, Kupang Regency, Belu, North Central Timor (TTU), South Central Timor (TTS), Sikka, Bajawa, Ende, Rote, East Flores, Nagekeo, Manggarai, East Manggarai, and West Manggarai.
For the people of East Flores Regency, particularly those living in Wu6langgitang District, life continues under heightened vigilance due to the ongoing alert status of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki at Level III. When information or signs of an eruption emerge, survivors evacuate once again, despite the lingering trauma from past experiences.
The impact is still being felt. School activities have been disrupted, livelihoods have been lost, and homes remain unsafe. Income remains unstable, and food assistance is still needed at times.
They are grateful that THK is here. In the midst of uncertainty, your sacrifice means so much. Your sacrifice is truly meaningful. Thank you to all donors. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text & Photos: Dhika Prabowo
Editor: Dedi Fadlil