Palu Earthquake: The Spirit Can Not Be Buried Together With Earthquakes

Sofian's smile was etched behind the glass of the rental car he was driving. He had accompanied a volunteer around Palu for a week to distribute aid, no wonder he was very familiar and often joked with some of them.

Behind the wheel, Sofian explained in detail the highways in Palu City. "If you want to go to Balaroa, just go straight from here. It is near impres  Market. That was my house there. Then for Petobo, it's also close, not far from the airport. Everything is in the city center," he told Johnny Chandrina who sat next to him. "If it's to Sigi, it's about an hour. Donggala, about two hours," he continued explaining enthusiastically.

That day, the volunteers wanted to see firsthand the conditions of the residents’ housing that were affected by the phenomenon of liquefaction. Based on what the residents of Palu said, the land had already melted away as if it had just come out from a blender. Including Sofian's house, one of the drivers who helped Tzu Chi volunteers drive around distributing aid in Palu. His house collapsed with nothing left behind.

"Well ... there, near the swallow's house," he said, pointing at the only building he remembered and still remained. "My house used to be next to the swallow's house. But there's nothing left," he said with a smiling face.

Sofian's house used to be next to the swallow house (left - top) which now had collapsed without trace due to liquefaction.

Sofian walked with volunteers after showing his former house that had collapsed due to liquefaction.

On the last week of the evacuation process, the area of Perumnas Balaroa, looked a little neater. Most of the ruins and debris of the buildings had been transported. There were only remnants of land excavation on the right and left, which previously was the evacuation location for the victims of the earthquake and liquefaction.

"I have let go, I’m already thankful that my family has survived," he said, looking at the area of Perumnas Balaroa.

Several times already, starting from September 28, 2018, after the earthquake had shaken Palu, Sofian came  and visited Balaroa. His wife, Nurhidayah, refused to come. Just from the photo, she said. As the head of the household, Sofian was indeed stronger. This was acknowledged by the volunteers who were always being driven by him for a week. "He was one of the victims, but he was great. He did not give up on the situation," said Johnny Chandrina.

"Well, it’s no use crying over spilled milk. Palu could get up again, so we also have to work hard," he said casually.

Not only as a driver, Sofian (left-back) also immediately helped Tzu Chi volunteers in distributing aid by wearing the volunteer vest in each region assisted by Tzu Chi.

Sofian did not dismiss his sadness because he could not do anything to save his family’s important documents. "But don't let our spirit sink along with the disaster," he said with certainty.

Currently, Sofian lived in a car rental shop where he worked. While his wife and two children chose to return home to Pesona Village, Kasimbar sub-district, Parimo district, Central Sulawesi. There, Sofian's family would be more relaxed. His first child could also recover from a broken bone. Even so, they still hoped they could get over the trauma and fear as soon as possible.

"Until now, the one who’s still afraid is my first child, Femin Anugerah," Sofian said. The fear of that 16-year-old teenager was not without a cause. Femin was one of the people in the location of the tsunami. Femin explained that immediately all visitors on the ground floor of the shopping center that he visited, including himself, panicked and rushed all together to reach the exit. "My child survived because he climbed, jumped the fence, and ran to a higher ground. But, his hand is broken. The bones pop out for about 5 centimeters," explained this father of two children.

Sofian did not hesitate to help the volunteers to transport logistics and relief items to residents' evacuation posts.

Sofian was looking for Femin all night. He went here and there, didn't sleep, and was very worried. Previously, his first child had indeed asked permission to go to the location which was later affected by the tsunami. "The one who found him was my friend, he immediately took my son to the mountain, where we spent the night," Sofian continued. "Luckily I was at the rental place at that time; my wife and my second child were at a friend's house. So, we all survived," he added.

Not wanting his family to suffer from prolonged trauma, Sofian sent them to his hometown one week after the disaster occurred, while he continued to stay and work in Palu. "It's impossible for us to sink in with the disaster, mud. Remembering that the collapsed house is no longer livable, it only makes you nervous, stressed," he said optimistically.

More days passed by, Sofian felt his enthusiasm and optimism increased. Later, he said that he got the energy because he saw Tzu Chi volunteers came to help the people in Palu.

Being able to help other residents who were also affected by the disaster had given certain happiness to Sofian.

Sofian was grateful to be a driver who drove the volunteers to several community evacuation posts. From there he learned to be grateful and helped to strengthen the other residents.

When he came to the volunteer Command Post at Karuna Dipa Temple, he didn’t just wait to drive the volunteers. He chose to help the logistics team, loading relief items with other volunteers. After that, he would continue to become their guide again. Going down to the location of the aid distribution, Sofian was also enthusiastically taking part in arranging equipment and lifting things.

Sofian felt fortunate to be the driver for Tzu Chi volunteer, so he could indirectly participate in every volunteer activity in Palu. From various volunteer activities there, he also saw many events which happened to other residents. Some had lost their limbs and some had lost their family members. He also shared his experiences of losing his home to them. The goal was to strengthen each other.

"Together with Tzu Chi, I feel very grateful for being given a job. The current situation is still very difficult to work. So, I don't expect more, the important thing is I can work. We also have to be thankful for being able to survive as a family. We must be strong," Sofian said in gratitude.

Now, he and his family only needed to continue using the opportunity given by God to live in a better way. "I have learned valuable lessons from Tzu Chi volunteers, love, kindness, enthusiasm, gratitude. All of them. Hopefully, I can use it well," he said firmly.

Translated by Stefanny Doddy

Edited by Wida Maryani