CIANJUR, WEST JAVA — A thin drizzle and thick fog covered the gathering dusk. The small footsteps of the siblings crossed the evacuation site in Taman Prawatasari Cianjur, Monday (11/28/2022). While carrying half-full sacks, Isep (7) and Hamdan (5) stepped on muddy puddles every now and then.
Their eyes were distracted, there was a children’s play area for survivors there. Yes, there is a children’s entertainment service, Taman Ceria, and a fleet of mini trucks, Darling (Mobile Kitchen) Dompet Dhuafa. Their hopes were sparked. However, there was an embarrassed look on his face.
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They persisted in playing in the puddles. Volunteers approached, offering snacks and warm drinks. “Come on, let’s play!” exclaimed the Volunteer, ”Mmm… I’m hungry,” Hamdan replied. Drinks were served. From a distance, Isep was still watching the other children who were busy playing. “I don’t want to play, sis, I’m embarrassed. I just want to eat,” said Isep, while receiving a warm drink from Dompet Dhuafa Darling Volunteers.
While enjoying the snack, he told me that the two of them had just finished collecting non-organic waste such as used plastic cups and bottles. “Father is also Mulung. Later this (non-organic waste) we sell to collectors. I get Rp5,000 a day, usually for my school supplies,” Isep said.
“I go to school at Mrs. Zaenab’s house, learning to read and write,” he added.
He admitted that their residence in Pamoyanan Village, Cianjur, was also affected by the earthquake. “The wall cracked, but it didn’t collapse. But Alhamdulillah, everyone is safe,” Isep admitted.
Feeling empathy, Asep, the Darling Service Coordinator for the response in Cianjur, said, “They still feel shy to play and take free drinks at Darling. How come many of us who are neatly dressed and wearing ties are sometimes even shameless”.
Help Strengthen Cianjur Earthquake Survivors: https://donasi.dompetdhuafa.org/indonesiasiapsiaga/
“Let the tiredness be in the midst of sadness, so the smiles will be spoiled when they grow up,” Asep concluded. (Dompet Dhuafa / Dhika Prabowo)