Possession of a wheel chair is a dream come true

Journalist : Khusnul Khotimah, Photographer : Khusnul Khotimah

The recipients are gathered and led by the Tzu Chi Community from east He Qi. One of them is Amalia (orange top), who is attentively listening to the information conveyed by Eko, a staff from the charity mission.

Who doesn’t like surprises, especially is something that has ever been dreamed off for a long time? Amalia, 34 years of age who was in need of a special wheel chair for her youngest daughter named Siti Fatimah, 4 years and 7 months old. She has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy which affects the developing brain. Due to the limited economic conditions, purchasing a wheel chair is far beyond expectation.

Five months ago, Amalia was advised by her friend to propose for a special wheel chair from the Tzu Chi organization. One of the members, Tarsisius Eko accepted her request and organized a survey through video call as it happened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I was asked to prepare the documents which was handed to Mr. Eko and he advised to wait. It was almost 5 months since the proposal and he still asked me to have some patience”, said Amalia

Johan Kohar dan his team of east He Qi Timur handed the wheel chair to Amalia.

The wheelchair was specially designed to meet the requirements of Siti Fatimah’s condition which took a long time to be completed. At that time, upon seeing Siti Fatimah’s condition, the team from the charity mission also offered giving milk as a donation so that it would increase the nutritional needs of the child. Amalia was grateful on this kind gesture.

They advised Amalia to consult with a nutritionist and the documents were handed to the team of the charity mission and was approved. Since October 2021, every month Siti Fatimah acquired two tins of milk from them. Amalia shows gratitude and her daughter looks healthier due to the appropriate nutrition which was needed during her condition. She had gained 15 kilograms throughout this time.

The recipient and the Tzu Chi Community

Amalia couldn’t resist her emotions

Meanwhile, the Tzu Chi community from East He Qi asked the recipients to assemble on Sunday, 5 December 2021. The recipients or usually addressed as Gan En Hu in different locations of North Jakarta and East Jakarta gather at Depo Pegangsaan to take their share. Amalia also came to take the two tins of milk which were prepared for her daughter.

Johan Kohar, who is the head of the Tzu Chi East Hi Qi Charity mission, gave a welcoming address note to the recipients so that they can live in a better manner. One of the staffs of the charity mission named Eko also conveyed some information which also includes offer of scholarship for their children.

Johan Kohar and Tarsisius Eko invited Amalia to come forward and receive the wheel chair. She was astonished and didn’t expect that her dreams would come true. Her eyes were filled with tears out of happiness.

Amalia’s parents are also filled with joy and her neighbors also feel happy for her. Siti Faitima’s dad works in a water supply company which provided clean water for the community. At times, Amalia would also take responsibility of getting orders for doing laundry for others through online application.

“I didn’t know that the wheelchair would be handed to me today, because Mr. Eko didn’t utter anything abo. I feel happy and grateful that my child can have a wheelchair. I really need it as my daughter can use it during hospital visits as she has grown and gained some weight”, she said with teary eyes when she arrived at her residence at Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta.

She couldn’t wait to wake her daughter, Siti Fatimah who was fast asleep.

“Child, wake up. Your wheel chair is here”, she said.

She could feel her parents’ happiness. She opened her eyes with a smile. Darsono, her father held the wheelchair so that she could sit properly. Siti Fatimah looked very calm and both her parents looked at her filled with emotions. It was indeed a dream come true.

Amalia is grateful and looking at her child filled with emotions. She is grateful that there is an improvement in her daughter’s health condition day by day.

“I am thankful to the Tzu Chi Buddhist organization and all the volunteers for all their help. I am not able to repay them but God will compensate this with all his kindness. Thank you so much for giving us the wheelchair”, Amalia said.

Johan Kohar, who is the head of the Tzu Chi Charity mission of East He Qi gives an advice to Siti Fatimah’s parents to always show enthusiasm in caring for their child. Hopefully this specially designed wheelchair can be beneficial for you, especially during hospital visits.

“If we use a regular wheelchair, there will be chances that the child will slide down. We hope that children who needs this special kind of wheelchair will be healthy again. But the most important thing is that the mother also feels that there are people who cares, especially the volunteers from the Tzu Chi organization who shows empathy towards her child” he said.

Translator: Mely Kartono (Tzu Chi School)