Tzu Chi Relief in Tanjung Batu Kecil Village: Selfless Love in Action
Journalist : Beverly Clara (Tzu Chi Tanjung Balai Karimun), Photographer : Beverly C., Moh. Mursyit (Tzu Chi Tanjung Balai Karimun)
Tanjung Balai Karimun Tzu Chi volunteers visited Grandma Siti Kaum’s a newly renovated house by Tzu Chi in Tanjung Batu Kecil Village, Buru District, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands Province.
Grandma Siti Kaum (92) is an elderly person who was born in 1929 and lives in Tanjung Batu Kecil Village, located in Buru District, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands Province. She is one of the beneficiary of Tzu Chi’s house renovation assistance since the condition of her house was quite poor and unfit for habitation.
Previously, on October 2, 2021, Tanjung Balai Karimun Tzu Chi volunteers who were in Tanjung Batu Kecil Village were informed by Indra Wijaya and Muhammad Habibie (volunteers in Tanjung Batu Kecil Village) that there was a house in poor condition. Equipped with the information, the volunteers went to the house and it turned out to be inhabited by an elderly with a weak body condition who was lying on a bed.
The house inhabited by Grandma Siti Kaum was one of the houses built by the local government for the residents of Tanjung Batu Kecil Village. Apart from the old age of the house, it was also often exposed to sea water which overflowed to the surface, making the condition of the house even more damaged. Most of the bricks on the walls of Grandma Siti Kaum's house had been eroded by sea water, there were even some holes in the walls of her house which were only covered with clothes.
The condition of Grandma Siti Kaum's house when surveyed by Tanjung Balai Karimun Tzu Chi volunteers before it was renovated.
Seeing the rickety condition of the house, none of the volunteers dared to enter Grandma Siti Kaum's house. After discussions, finally Grandma Siti Kaum agreed and willing to move to her sister's house fearing that the house she was living in would suddenly collapse. The Tanjung Balai Karimun Tzu Chi volunteers also agreed to renovate her house.
It was challenging to renovate a house in a remote village, hence it was necessary to involve a lot of participation from the local community. Fortunately, the people of Tanjung Batu Kecil Village supported the volunteer's intention who wanted to renovate Grandma Siti Kaum's house. Residents worked together to deliver building materials from outside the island, such as sand, cement, and bricks to her house.
Grandma Siti Kaum's house renovation process (left). Tzu Chi volunteers and residents of Tanjung Batu Kecil Village were working together to clean Grandma Siti Kaum's house after it was renovated (right).
Muhammad Fadli (42), a casual labor worker assigned to renovate Grandma Siti Kaum's house, used his utmost efforts to do his job. Together with his friends, he carried out the process of repairing the walls very carefully so as not to aggravate the condition of the house. The walls of the house were gradually installed with bricks and plastered evenly. The slippery and uneven ground around the house was also leveled up using cement.
Apart from the building, the renovation of Grandma Siti Kaum's house also added a kitchen room, closet, and septic tank to make it convenient for Grandma Siti Kaum and her niece when they returned back to the house. After the house was renovated, the volunteers and the residents of Tanjung Batu Kecil Village worked together to clean Grandma Siti Kaum's house.
Then on October 31, 2021, four volunteers from Tanjung Balai Karimun Tzu Chi returned to visit Tanjung Batu Kecil Village to stay in touch as well as visit Grandma Siti Kaum's house which has been completely renovated. Arriving at her house, the volunteers were greeted with a big smile from Grandma Siti Kaum's niece who looked after her.
Grandma Siti Kaum who was lying on the bed and her niece who was smiling broadly as they talked with Tzu Chi volunteers about the place that has now transformed into a comfortable home.
The volunteers also asked for permission to observe around the house and its surroundings while casually talking with Grandma Siti Kaum's niece who was currently caring for and rubbing her grandmother with ointment oil in the bedroom. The surroundings of the house that were previously poorly maintained have now become clean and pleasing, the whole house has now turned into a comfortable living home. Most importantly, the walls of the house that were previously on the verge of collapsing have now become sturdy, solid and strong walls.
Tzu Chi volunteers also conversed with Muhammad Fadli about the additional cost of adding a kitchen, closet, and septic tank which was not included in the budget. Muhammad Fadli and his wife were impressed on the dedication of volunteers which lead him to contribute by giving zero additional cost on building the extra space. "We are fellow human beings, we must share, help each other's shortcomings, and must be passionate about helping others," said Jamilah, Muhammad Fadli's wife.
Indra, Muhammad Fadli, Jamilah, and Habibie (left to right) take a group photo with Grandma Siti Kaum's niece (center) in front of the renovated house.
Indra and Habibie, two volunteers in Tanjung Batu Kecil Village who were the coordinators of the renovation of Grandma Siti Kaum's house, also felt tremendous happiness to see grandmother who can now sleep comfortably without concern. They also said that they would miss the moments of laughter during the renovations and cleaning of Grandma Siti Kaum's house with local residents.
"We are close, we know each other, we know the ins and outs of the house, we were cleaning it, suddenly it’s done," Habibie said.
Now, the longing of togetherness and the feeling of joy in witnessing the happiness of others has become their greatest fulfillment for Indra and Habibie to continue to contribute. Not long after the renovation of Grandma Siti Kaum's house, Indra and Habibie conducted a survey to the surrounding islands. The two volunteers continued their journey of finding residents’ house which conditions were uninhabitable and needed to be renovated.
Translated by : Vincent Salimputra (Tzu Chi volunteers)
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