In 2025, Eid al-Adha 1446 AH felt very different for the people of West Sumatra. While grief over the disaster still hung heavy over Tanah Datar and Agam Regencies, Dompet Dhuafa stepped in to distribute sacrificial animals to the affected areas. This initiative was not merely about providing nutrition, but also about sending a message that they were not alone.
The Tebar Hewan Kurban (THK) program in the flash flood-affected areas of West Sumatra (Sumbar) seemed like a ray of hope amidst the sorrow. In such a difficult moment, the presence of sacrificial meat served as a heartwarming reminder that kindness will always be there for those in need.
Since the Galodo (cold lava flood) struck the Mount Marapi area on Saturday (May 11, 2024), the lingering trauma is still clearly visible. That is why Dompet Dhuafa is working to ensure that the sacrificial meat reaches the survivors, to bring a glimmer of joy on the holiday.
A similar story comes from Boru Village in East Flores. On a vast expanse with Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki shrouded in mist as a backdrop, the atmosphere of last year’s Eid al-Adha was deeply moving.
That morning, around 6:00 a.m. WITA on the first day of Tasyrik, Saturday (June 7, 2025), the echoes of the takbir intertwined with the sound of knives being sharpened. Amidst their hardships, the eruption survivors—such as Sri and Mama Isya—were overjoyed to receive aid from Dompet Dhuafa donors.
For Sri, that year’s Eid al-Adha sacrifice was a small miracle. Her house was destroyed by the eruption. The corrugated iron roof had come off, and her living room was covered in wet volcanic ash.
“When it rains, water pours right in. My three-year-old child has had to endure this situation. Now, it’s hard to get food, so this sacrificial meat means the world to us,” Sri said, her eyes welling up with tears.
The same goes for Mama Isya, an elderly woman living alone in an affected home. For her, the care shown by the Dompet Dhuafa team—who delivered meat right to her doorstep—is a gesture of compassion she is deeply grateful for.
This act of kindness is also inseparable from the role of Rahmi Syofia, better known as Mimi Campervan Girl. This traveler and social activist once again took an active part in the THK distribution. After exploring Kei Island in Maluku the previous year, this time Mimi explored the remote areas of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Through a call to action on social media, Mimi successfully inspired 28 donors to share. A total of 5 cows and 9 goats were distributed to three villages in East Flores thanks to her initiative.
“I witnessed the process firsthand, and it was truly eye-opening. It showed me the joy of the beneficiaries and the principles of the sacrifice ritual that I learned directly in the field,” explained Mimi.
In total, the THK program in NTT successfully distributed 128 cows and 50 goats (equivalent to 1,646 Doka) to 15 regencies, ranging from Kupang and Belu to West Manggarai.
To this day, the people of Wulanggitang Subdistrict are still living in a state of alert due to Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki’s ongoing alert status. However, the act of sacrifice gives them extra strength to endure.
Amid this uncertainty, your sacrifice truly means the world to them. Have we prepared ourselves to make a sacrifice this year, 2026? Come on, prepare your best vehicle and spread joy even further through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/kurban. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika, Anndini
Editor: Dedi Fadlil