2022 National Chinese New Year Social Service Kickoff: Sharing Ten Kilograms of Rice Aid and Happiness

Journalist : Metta Wulandari, Photographer : Anand Yahya, Metta Wulandari

Sumiati and Aisyah each brought 5 kg of rice and rushed back to the rented house after receiving the Chinese New Year package, Saturday, February 5, 2022.

Saturday morning, February 5, 2022 Sumiati has been very busy. She woke up earlier that day than usual to prepare the merchandise that had to be cooked before noon. "Because there is an invitation from Aisyah's school today. There will be rice aid distributions," said the mother of three.

Even though everything was in a hurry, living in a small rented house, Sumiati was really looking forward to the 10 kg of rice that was distributed by her child's school. That's the reason why she deliberately made the time to come to accompany Aisyah, her youngest child.

Sumiati lives in a simple rented house in a narrow alley in the Rawa Bebek area, North Jakarta. In an area where sunlight is difficult to penetrate – because the buildings are too close together, she lives with her husband, two children, and one nephew.

Sumiati has been selling snacks for a long time and has become the head of the family replacing her husband, who suffered a stroke and had difficulty doing activities. But not alone, she was assisted by her first child and nephew to bring their snacks to be offered around Rawa Bebek. While the PPKM status in Jakarta is being relaxed, Sumiati with her children and nephews are being more active to move around so that their sustenance continues to flow.

"During the PSBB period, it immediately affected the income because everything was closed. Schools are closed, office people who regularly buy snacks are also working at home. I am very confused on how to meet daily needs,” said Sumiati. She used to produce eight hundred snacks a day, but she reduced it by half. Yet it wasn't all sold either. "It's very stressful. So there should be no more conditions like that," she continued.

Sumiati immediately cooked the rice she just got for lunch shortly after arriving at her house.

Sumiati is grateful upon receiving an invitation from the Raudlatul Islamiyah Islamic School, which is Aisah’s school. Since Friday afternoon she had planned not to buy rice to cook the next day. Sumiati chose to wait for the distribution of rice from the school even though it was received around 11 am. Sumiati feels thankful and says 10 kg of rice could last more than a week to meet the needs of her family.

"At home there is no rice stock available because I purchase it daily. I rationed a liter of basically enough a day to feed 5 people. That's why I didn't buy rice today on purpose. Deliberately waiting to get (rice from the distribution). It's okay to get it a bit later. I am very happy,” admitted Sumiati.

Shortly after receiving her rice aid, she and Aisyah rushed back home and cooked rice for lunch. "Alhamdulillah, today I gained 10 kg, so I can hold it for more than a week. Thank you to all of you who have provided this assistance," said Sumiati with a smile.

Struggling Through Hard Times

Krisnanda told about how he and his family tried to struggle in difficult times due to being affected by the pandemic.

Not only was Sumiati happy and grateful that day, there was also Krisnanda, the father of Nazwa who is also a student from the Raudlatul Islamiyah Islamic School. Krisnanda was very grateful when he heard the news of the rice aid that would be distributed at the child's school. For this reason, he deliberately came from Bekasi, West Java to accompany Nazwa to receive rice aid.

“I traveled (from Bekasi) about half past eight to accompany Nazwa. Because it was Saturday, the roads were rather smooth,” said Krisnanda.

Nazwa does live separately from her parents. She chose to live with her grandmother in Rawa Bebek, while her father and mother had rented a place to live in Bekasi, as well as to work since 2008. When the pandemic hit Indonesia, Nazwa's parents were also affected.

“I work in a factory and was laid off for 4 months. The salary (when laid off) at that time was still the basic salary, but the amount was far from what we would receive if we worked normally, there were allowances, overtime, and others. After 4 months, I got laid off, so it dropped even more,” said Krisnanda. "Not to mention the wife who works in charge of the clothing store is also affected by the closure of the store, we are in great difficulty," he added.

In this situation, Krisnanda is very grateful that the whole family supports each other. They all work together to help the economy of the affected brothers. "Grateful to my mother-in-law as well who is very understanding. If I usually give Nazwa a certain amount of monthly fee, but while it goes down, she doesn't complain and understands, “said Krisnanda.

Choosing to work as an online motorcycle taxi driver, Krisnanda hopes that he will be able to support his family and restore his family economic condition. "So, I was very grateful when I heard the news that there was rice assistance, so I was very excited to come to accompany my child," said Krisnanda. "Thank you to all those who helped, may all be given health and sustenance," he prayed.

Close Kinship

Lilies Maesaroh, Chairperson of the MI-Raudlatul Islamiyah Foundation, said she was very happy when Tzu Chi volunteers gave the news that they would attend the gathering by distributing rice.

The distribution of rice aid at the Raudlatul Islamiyah Islamic School is a part of the 2022 National Lunar New Year Social Service Kickoff activity. That day, there were 250 aid packages containing 10 kg of rice, 10 masks, and one basket cake typical of Chinese New Year celebrations. The assistance was given to students of the Raudlatul Islamiyah Islamic School, school administrators, widows, and the elderly who live around the school.

Lilies Maesaroh, Chairperson of the MI-Raudlatul Islamiyah Foundation, said she was very happy when Tzu Chi volunteers gave the news that they would attend the gathering by distributing rice some time before the social service was held. He admitted that he really missed working with the volunteers.

Lilies said that the Raudlatul Islamiyah School building and the mosque which are located opposite are the buildings which were renovated by the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation in 2012. Since then, the relationship is very closely intertwined.

In the world of education, Lilies also said that she often received support from the Indonesian Tzu Chi School (Tzu Chi School - PIK). “The cupboard in the library room was a donation from Tzu Chi School students. It's still there and it's still very good until now," said Lilies. Even before the pandemic, Tzu Chi School students were always scheduled to come to Raudlatul Islamiyah School to help their juniors learn English and other subjects if they needed it.

"Oh, I really miss those days. If you remember, it has been almost three years that we have been constrained by this pandemic. So when Mr. Bambang (a Tzu Chi volunteer) contacted me, I was very happy and grateful to be able to re-knit friendships," said Lilies.

Lilies hopes that this assistance will not only help students and their families, but can also serve as an example for the recipients in the future. "The point is that even if you are in trouble, when you see something more difficult, you want to help. So even though we are now in the position of being given, we are receiving, but don't expect to continue to be given, that's not it. But we should also be able to help those who are more difficult," said Lilies.

2022 National Chinese New Year Social Service Kickoff

The Minister of SOEs of the Republic of Indonesia, Erick Thohir, had the opportunity to attend the 2022 National Lunar New Year Social Service Kickoff and give a speech.

In this moment of National Lunar New Year Social Service, Tzu Chi also cooperates with various organizations to participate in sharing with the community. They include: Entrepreneurs Caring for the Republic of Indonesia, Association of Indonesian Buddhists, Society of Social Clans, Chinese Indonesians, Indonesian Chinese Association, Indonesian Chinese Islamic Association, and Indonesian West Kalimantan Chinese Association.

“The Chinese New Year celebration is a meaningful celebration for the Chinese community. This celebration has become a culture full of warmth in the family, where the whole family gathers and shares warmth and sustenance,” said Hong Tjhin, Head of the Secretariat of the 2022 National Lunar New Year Committee who is also a Tzu Chi volunteer.

"In the midst of a pandemic like this, we celebrate the Chinese New Year in a simple way, with concern for the condition of the community both in terms of health, economy and socially. For this reason, in 2022, the Chinese New Year Commemoration carries the theme Love Erases Disasters," added Hong Tjhin.

Hong Tjhin accompanied the Minister of SOEs of the Republic of Indonesia, Erick Thohir, distributing rice to the students of the Raudlatul Islamiyah Islamic School.

During the Chinese New Year celebration, Tzu Chi together with the organization raised 500 tons of rice aid which in the process will be distributed to 50 thousand families affected by the pandemic in Greater Jakarta. The distribution of rice will be carried out in stages from the beginning of January 2022 and is expected to end in March 2022.

The Minister of SOEs of the Republic of Indonesia, Erick Thohir, who had the opportunity to attend the 2022 National Lunar Social Service Kickoff, revealed that this activity was one of the positive things to fill the Chinese New Year moment.

In this moment of National Lunar New Year Social Service, Tzu Chi also cooperates with various organizations to participate in sharing with the community.

“Moreover, Tzu Chi is not alone but invites various organizations and businessmen, as well as religious leaders to unite together to help the community's difficulties. This is certainly a relief for the recipients, which also lightens the nation’s difficulties. If we don't help each other, we don't work together, then more differences are highlighted," said Erick.

"Indonesia's name is very big, so we must unite with each other. It's time for us to knit together kindness and tolerance, don't fall apart. We already have an extraordinary foundation, namely Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. This is what we should understand. For that, let's continue to help each other work together to knit goodness," Erick ordered.

Translator: Olivia Tan (Tzu Chi Volunteers)