CIANJUR, WEST JAVA – “Thank you sister, I hope you will always be healthy,” said Radit (9), when receiving the shoes with a smile.
That afternoon the king of the sun was staring at them without hesitation as if describing the cheers of the children who were now beginning to be heard in the refugee tent. Saturday (7/1/2022), at 10.00 WIB, Dompet Dhuafa and a team of Disaster Management Center (DMC) volunteers deployed 2 units of cars decorated with a large green ribbon.
Arriving at two Dompet Dhuafa fleets at the evacuation site, Pameungpeuk Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur, West Java, the children shifted their focus to the vehicle. It makes them wonder what the content is in it. However, as if answering curiosity, the car that had been parked was also decorated with posters with pictures of shoes that read Shoecial Movement.
Also read: A Piece of Travel Story Down the Collapsed Mosque by the Impact of the Cianjur Earthquake (Part One)
Shoecial Movement is a movement initiated by Dompet Dhuafa to distribute school kits, especially shoes, to children in remote parts of the country, especially children of Cianjur Earthquake survivors who are currently struggling to study amid the onslaught of fear and trauma.
Although it was scorching hot, they (children) often wiped the sweat on their foreheads, not dampening the children’s enthusiasm that day. A total of 125 pairs of shoes were distributed to them. Some smiled, some were chuffed, some opened boxes containing shoes, bags, books and stationery and began to compare with their next-door friends, and some enthusiastically expectantly waited for their part. Afterwards, everyone laughed out loud while overwhelmed by carrying a box of school kits.
The flowers in the garden look cheerfully under the warm scorching sun. That is the condition that can describe their happiness. One of them is Radit, a boy in the 3rd grade.
“I am glad, get books, bags, get shoes, get pencils, pens and erasers,” Radit babbled, illuminating the contents of the box he got.
Also read: A Piece of Travel Story Down the Collapsed Mosque by the Impact of the Cianjur Earthquake (Part Two)
Telling Dompet Dhuafa, Radit said he felt shocked and scared when the earthquake occurred, at that time, he was playing with other friends and was confused about where to save himself.
“When there was an Earthquake Radit again playing cooking, continued to be shocked to run upstairs, meet other people, dad again worked, mama at home, again played earthquake suddenly.”
Yes, the grief has not subsided, still imprinted in the eyes, as if that look describes a fear that never goes away.
“I’m afraid, but now I’m not, it’s nice to get shoes,” Radit continued.
After the incident on November 21, 2022, destroyed the hamlet, school, and where they live. Radit also recounted his activities after the earthquake, going to school without inadequate shoes, bags and uniforms. Teaching and learning activities have been carried out in refugee tents.
“My bag and shoes were closed (ruins), so I wore sandals to school. The shoes were going to be worn to school, but when the earthquake started, Radit went to school in a tent. Learn together with friends,” explained Radit.
#IniTentangKita, Dompet Dhuafa invites all of us to join hands and lighten the burden, return their smiles as before through: https://donasi.dompetdhuafa.org/sepatuuntukcianjur/