Signs of Hope, A Year after Palu Quake

Viktor Elephard Sandewa, one of the local resident who went through the verification process to become the resident of Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi Housing located in Pombewe, Sigi, Central Sulawesi.

A year has passed after the earthquake, tsunami, and liquefaction hit Palu, Sigi, and Donggala in Central Sulawesi. On Saturday, 28 September 2019 people gathered and prayed within their own belief and religions, at the huntara (temporary accommodation) and a couple of other places that was affected by the tsunami, to remember the tragedy that happened a year ago. The Muslim did the dhikr, the Christians, Hindu, and Buddhist prayed using the way they believe. 

Amidst this emotional moment, a glimmer of hope was seen among Sigi people. During the weekend on 28-29 September 2019, volunteers from Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Indonesia did the verification process for future residents of Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi Housing in Pombewe, Sigi Biromaru sub-district, Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi.

“For the first step, Tzu will build 500 units, followed by 500 more units. Then the Public Works and Public Housing Agency (PUPR) will build 500 units,” said Joe Riadi, the Head of Tzu Chi Emergency Response team, who is also the coordinator for this verification.

Joe Riadi, Head of Tzu Chi Emergency Response team gave information to people about Tzu Chi’s vision and mission.  Also presence were, Sigi regent, Muhammad Irwan Lappata, S. Sos, M. Si.

According to Joe Riadi, the verification was done as an effort to make sure the accommodation aid will be given to the right recipient. “We definitely want our help, and the aid given by our donators and volunteers to be given to the people who actually need them, and have the rights to receive them,” said Joe Riadi firmly.

Across the two days over that weekend, there were 766 residents verified. Those 766 residents come from 6 villages in Sigi Sibomaru sub-district: Mpanau, Sidera, Oloboju, Jono Oge, Pombewe, and Lolu village.

Grateful, Pray, and Try
One of the residents who was verified is Viktor Elephard Sandewa. The 37-year-old man is an elementary school teacher at SD Negeri 15 Palu. When the earthquake hit last year, Viktor who was about to go to the Palu Nomoni Festival managed to survive. Fortunately, his wife and children also survived, even though they were separated for one day before finally discovering each other. Their house in Lolu village was destroyed, and moved about 500 meter away due to the liquefaction. After years of living in there, Viktor just discovered then that his house, which was still mortgaged to the bank, was built on restricted area that is prone to disaster, so it couldn’t be rebuilt.

Tzu Chi volunteers cross-checking people’s data and interviewing the locals.

“For now, we are given lenience from the bank so we don’t have to pay the mortgage, but later on we’d still have to continue paying them,” said Viktor with a sad smile. His feeling was ‘hurt’ since he had to continue pay a mortgage for a ‘house’ that can no longer be lived in, of which land can only be used for agriculture purposes. Regardless, Viktor is very grateful for the fact that his wife and children survived.

Like any other people in Palu on that day, it never crossed his mind that the small earthquakes that happened in the earlier morning, was a sign of a big disaster. Therefore, on that day, Viktor still jumped on his motorbike to go to the Palu Nomoni Festival, at Talise Beach, Palu. He was only half-way when he fell over his motorbike. At first, he thought one of his bike’s tires broke or flat. He only realized it was an earthquake when he saw the road cracked, and the water from the sewer spilled into the road.

“My head straight went to my wife and children. I phoned them right away, no one was picking up. It made me panicked, I went straight back home,” he recalled. Without further thinking, he drove his motorbike back to his house, but it wasn’t an easy ride. The road had become wavy, cracked, landslides, and broken bridges were stopping him to go.

“I still tried to go through some other roads that could be used,” said Viktor.

Viktor, with his friends in huntara (temporary accommodation) built by BUMN (state-owned enterprise) in Lolu village.

As soon as he entered the alley that lead to his house, the situation was gripping. He was first not allowed to get through, but for his family, he did anyway. He even helped a mother and a child who was trapped in the mud. Together with another man, they both brought the woman and that child to go over the mound and through the broken road.

“Even though I hadn’t been able to find my family, I would still help people while I could,” said Viktor.

After he finished taking the woman and her child to a safe place, Viktor and the other man who helped were caught with exhaustion. Both decided to take a rest until the morning. Especially at night, everywhere was dark and quiet. Amid the anxious night, a group of people informed him that there were a group of GR Pekarta housing who managed to escape and survived the liquefaction, and gathered together safely in an agricultural field.

“When I heard that, I felt like all of my energy went back. Right that night I followed the direction to get to that safe place to find my family,” Viktor added, “Every time I saw a group of people, I called out my kid’s name, ‘Fino… fino’.” Viktor lost count at the number of times he shouted for his kid’s names, no one responded.

After an hour of walking, Viktor finally reunited with his wife and kid. His tears burst. His worry throughout the night was paid off. He felt relieved, despite the fact his house was no longer standing.

Viktor and one of his neighbors who used to live in GR Pekarta housing, pointing at the land where his house used to stand. The house moved about 500-meter away from its initial location due to liquefaction.

“When I finally met them, I cried. I no longer care about the house, as long as my family are alright. We slept in a yard facing the sky, we baked whatever we could eat, the aftershocks kept coming,” explained Viktor, “the Muslim dhikr, the Christians prayed, we didn’t sleep all night. The following day, me and my neighbor went back to our house to seek whatever we could save. Some of my important documents are laminated, so it was safe from soil and water.”

More Than Just a Help
For over half a year, Viktor and his family stayed at the temporary tent, before moved to huntara in Mpanau village. Now, a year after the earthquake, Viktor and 765 other people (total of 766 people) participated in the verification process to become Cinta Kasih Tzu Chi Housing resident, in Pombewe, Sigi, Central Sulawesi.

“I’ve heard about Tzu Chi foundation before. We thought oh, there must be a charity organization and since all of us use WhatsApp to communicate, I see from the pictures that were distributed, I am so thankful for the help. My worry was, having Sigi left behind and not be rebuilt, so I am grateful to be included in the database (to receive help), and for coming to see us,” said Viktor.

Volunteers asked the local people to sing and show the hand gestures of ‘Satu Keluarga’ song.

Through the earthquake that happened, Viktor found a wisdom from this disaster. First, that life is temporary, it is wise for us to not only think of material objects, but also kindness to others.

“Like our sisters and brothers in Tzu Chi foundation, we don’t know each other, (but) we met here. I feel moved. That (Tzu Chi) could give so much help. Love is the main thing, we don’t see or judge anyone by their races or religions, and inside my heart, I will transfer this feeling to others,” said Viktor.

As a teacher, Viktor will also try to implement these beautiful values to his students. “If we talk about protecting the environment, keeping things clean, we should start from the easiest. It’s not just about the housing, but the value of love behind the generosity that should be instilled in our hearts.”

Viktor also saw how the data collection and data filtering was done fairly and properly, regardless of one’s race, belief, and affiliation. “I hope Tzu Chi will become bigger and better since you are developing humanistic values, which will never die when instilled forever in people’s hearts.”

Translated by Chrestella Budyanto (Tzu Chi School)