Jokowi Visits Tzu Chi Housing in Palu

The housing built by Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Indonesia in Palu stole Indonesian President, Ir. H. Joko Widodo’s attention. During his visit to Palu, President Widodo spared his time to see the Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi Tadulako Housing, in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.

Accompanied by the first lady and ministers, the Head of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo, Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola, and Palu’s Mayor Hidayat, President Widodo was welcomed by Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation’s Head Ms Liu Su Mei and Deputy Head Mr Sugianto Kusuma and Mr Franky O Widjaja, together with Tzu Chi Indonesia volunteers at the Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi Tadulako housing.

Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Indonesia Deputy Head, Mr Sugianto Kusuma and Mr Franky O. Widjaja welcomed President of Indonesia, Ir. H. Joko Widodo during his visit to Cinta Kasih Tadulako housing, Palu, Central Sulawesi.

DAAI TV Indonesia CEO, Mr Hong Tjhin explained Tzu Chi Indonesia’s activities in assisting the recovery of Palu after hit by the quake, tsunami, and liquefaction last September 2018.

During his visit, the president was also given a brief over Tzu Chi Indonesia’s activities in assisting the recovery of Palu after hit by the earthquake, liquefaction, and tsunami in September 2018. In this occasion, President Widodo also did a survey visit to one of the houses that was built by Tzu Chi for the disaster’s victims.

After given the brief and visited one of the houses for around 30 minutes, President Widodo also expressed his appreciation for what Tzu Chi Indonesia has done by building the houses within a relatively quick period. “Tzu Chi Foundation was very quick in delivering their help, I think this kind of model needs to be developed further, so that we could establish a cooperation between government and the private sector. On behalf of the Indonesian government, I would like to thank you for your help, that it’s on its way to be completed,” said President Widodo.

Appreciation and the A Good Building Progress
Tzu Chi Foundation Indonesia Deputy Head, Mr Sugianto Kusuma was delighted and thankful for President Widodo’s visit to Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi Tadulako housing, Palu. “The president’s responses said he was very happy and satisfied, that the houses we built are very humane. I also think when the house is finished, it would help mending the pain of the people who have lost their houses during the earthquake. Hopefully they will like it here, they’ll be developed (their lives), they will be able to find jobs, and start a new life,” said Mr Kusuma.

President Joko Widodo directly survey one of the houses built by Tzu Chi Indonesia for the quake’s victims in Palu and its nearby areas.

President Joko Widodo and the first lady took a picture together with Tzu Chi Indonesia volunteers.

When accompanying President Widodo to visit one of the houses, Mr Kusuma also informed the deadline to finish this housing in 2020. “I think our planning has been very clear, before Eid Al Fitri 2020, all houses shall be finished for the people to move in and start their new life with new hopes. Tzu Chi foundation will also be able to assist the community later on,” he added.

Tzu Chi Foundation Indonesia Deputy Head Franky O Widjaja who also accompanied President Widodo when visiting the house was also able to listen briefly to the message and appreciation expressed by President Widodo. “President Widodo said he was quite shock as to how quick we were able to build these houses, since he didn’t see it happening anywhere else,” said Mr Widjaja.

With the company of Tzu Chi Indonesia volunteers, President Joko Widodo delivered his appreciation towards the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Indonesia for its effort in building the new housing to the press who joined him on his visit to the Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi Tadulako housing.

Mr Widjaja who supervised the project of Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi housing in Palu himself also felt that these houses for the quake victims are built nicely and very decent to live in. “I feel this is just like what Master Cheng Yen, Tzu Chi founder said, that when we give someone something, it must be something that we ourselves don’t mind to live in. This has become a standard in Tzu Chi when we give something to people, in order to build their confidence and bring new hopes in the future,” said Mr Widjaja.

Translated by: Chrestella Budyanto (Tzu Chi School)