Joyous Day for Sentani Residents

Journalist : Marcopolo AT (Tzu Chi Biak), Photographer : Marcopolo AT (Tzu Chi Biak)

During the inauguration of the Tzu Chi Sentani housing area, Mathius Awoitauw S.E, M.Si, the regent head of Jayapura signed the minutes of meeting. This event was witnessed by Tzu Chi volunteers from the Hu Ai Papua and West Papua as well as other attendees who were representatives from BNPB and other invited quests.

Thursday, September 9, 2021, was the most beautiful day for Mama Since Monim. She is 37 years old and was one of the victims during the massive floods, which occurred on March 16, 2019. Due to the disaster, her house was swept away by the floods that overflowed from the Kemiri River. This was witnessed by the BNPB team from the province and head of the district of Jayapura. Mama Since Monim is one of the recipients of permanent housing at Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Sentani.

“Thank you to BNPB RI, head of the district of Jayapura, Indofood, Eka Tjipta Foundation, and Tzu Chi Buddhist organization, Indonesia who have shown consideration by providing an opportunity for me to own a house as a shelter without any charges,” said Mama Since Monim joyfully.

Mama Since Monim, 37 years old is standing in front of her house located at the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Sentani housing area. Her dreams have come into reality as she gets a permanent residence from Tzu Chi.

The regent head of Jayapura expresses his gratitude to Susanto Pirono, the head of the Tzu Chi Hu Ai Papua and West Papua community for helping the victims of the massive flood by establishing permanent housing.

Lister Suebu, the head of the housing area was also one of the victims of the massive flood who expresses his gratitude. He said, “On behalf of the residents, I am really thankful for the opportunity to own a home without any charges. God have blessed by listening to our prayers and supported us to overcome our struggles.

The inauguration ceremony of the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Sentani Housing area was marked by ribbon-cutting, signing the inscription, signing the official report, handing over the housing to the regent head of Jayapura and symbolically handing over directly to the community. "I express my great appreciation to the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, Indonesia. Today is the inauguration ceremony and everything was well planned. The houses were allotted to those who were victims during the disaster.” said Regent Mathius Awoitauw S.E, M.Sc., the regent head of Jayapura.

In addition to inauguration ceremony of the Tzu Chi Sentani housing area, the volunteers also distributed 320 food packages to the residents and 200 packages for children.

The target of the project was to build 300 residential units at the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Sentani Housing area initialized on September 29, 2019 and was inaugurated for its use on September 9, 2021. This was mainly contributed to the victims of the massive flood disaster in Sentani. "Thank you for the immediate action that is always taken by the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation in any occurrence of emergency due to natural disaster,” said H. Ali Bernadus S.Km, M.A, Director of Physical Recovery and Improvement of BNPB who was also present at the activity.

During the inauguration, Susanto Pirono, Chairman of Tzu Chi Hu Ai Papua and West Papua are also grateful for being able to help the victims of the massive floods in Sentani, Jayapura. "The construction of the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing area in Sentani is a form of Tzu Chi's solidarity and concern after the massive floods, which happened on March 16, 2019," he explained.

Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing area in Sentani (above view) was built by the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation, Indonesia which was mainly contributed for the victims of the massive floods in Sentani, Jayapura.

At the same time, the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation also distributed 320 packages of basic necessities consisting of rice, cooking oil, coffee, sugar and milk to residents of Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing area as well as 200 packages of gifts for children.

Translator: Mely Kartono (Tzu Chi School)