Usen's Happiness and the Tzu Chi Volunteers' Happiness

As far as the eyes can see, the field crop in Kedungwaringin District, Bekasi, spreads wide and green. Usen has been tending the crops since 1980. This 1.5 Hectare fields are owned by two of his neighbors.

Some of the expanse of paddy cultivated by Usen (56), a citizen in Kedungwaringin, Bekasi, has turned yellow. In less than two weeks, the paddy will be ready to be harvested. But this time, Usen won’t go down to the field; he swore to rest in order to fully recover from the Cataract operation that he just got through in Tzu Chi’s 119^th Health Charity in Sentra Medika Hospital in Cikarang, back in 12^th August 2017.

“Let my wife and my children go down there later,” Usen said.

Being able to partake in the Cataract operation is one of the things he wished the most, who had suffered Cataract in more than two years. As a crop cultivator, he only receives three to four million rupiah each harvest. He used such profit to supply his family for five months, and pay the school fee for his youngest son who is now sitting in Vocational High School (SMK). Because this is not enough, Usen borrowed money from the middleman.

“We often borrowed money, sometimes the moment we harvested, they are all sold out. Five months each, that’s our income. We rely on it.” Said Usen.

In one year, Usen harvests twice. One harvest yields three tons. The results are divided by two, cut by urine fertilizers that were bought by the crop’s owner.

Usen prepares to take rest in order to recover his left eye that was recently operated. His wife, Titi, and her children will take over his role for the time being.

“I went to the Community Health Centre. They told me I have to undertake surgery, yeah, but where’s the fund. At that time, there were no Kartu Indonesia Sehat. Whenever there’s someone persuading me, oh come on… I do want to be cured. To be healthy is the most important thing.” He continued.

The invitation for the Cataract Surgery by Tzu Chi’s social service came from his neighbor Purwanto’s invitation, who brought him there for screening and operation. According to Usen, the Cataract was caused by his habit of not using glasses and/or mask when spraying pesticides, even though a Counselor of Algicultural Fields (PPL) often warned him. He learned it the hard way, and now Usen obeys the warning.

“When spraying the pesticide, sometimes wind blows it back to my nose and mouth, and it chokes and hurts. So now, I will be more careful, wear mask and glasses.” He said. Not only choking, but since the Cataract’s appearance on his left eye, he also felt great pain in his eyes, and also headaches.

Follow the Doctor’s Instructions

Usen has five children. Three have married, one has passed Senior High, and his youngest is sitting on the 2^nd year of SMK.

One week prior to the operation, Usen paid close attention to the doctor’s advices. “We have to preserve our diet. I only eat tempe and tahu. I must avoid eating sour fish and sweets. And then, the blood pressure must be controlled. During the examination, it was 150, but it can be lowered,” said Usen when we met him at his house.

On the day of the operation, this always smiling man came early in the morning to the hospital. He came with his wife Titi, and his neighbor Purwanto. Titi never stopped praying for the operation’s success.

 “I pray the operation goes well. You don’t need to go to the farm for now, take a good rest, and leave the work to our sons.” Said Titi.

Usen himself didn’t feel scared when he’s about to enter the operation room. “I am calm, because I really wanted for this to be cured. Not going to skip a beat. I am so happy when I can finally be operated, it’s immeasurable. Words cannot express enough of my gratitude. I really want to be cured.” Said Usen.

Usen suffered Cataract for more than two years.

Usen expressing his gratitude to the team of doctors and volunteers who fulfilled his wish to be operated and cured off Cataract.

Usen’s operation goes well. After the operation, Usen went home and back to the hospital on the next day. But, he ails as he has nausea and dizziness. Dr. Edrial from the Sentra Medika Hospital in Cikarang then explained Usen’s eye condition.

 “Mr. Usen indeed has an acute Cataract, causing the operation to go all-out in high difficulty. The operation took a lot of time. While doing the operation, the patient would feel dizzy and vomit. We gave him a medicine in order to reduce the complications. Hopefully it can be dealt with, while we wait for one week before examining him again. Hopefully his vision becomes clearer. “ Dr. Edrial explained.

After going through the operation, the patients’ conditions, including Usen’s, will be kept evaluated afterwards. The patients can come to the Sentra Medika Hospital in Cikarang, or Amanda Hospital in Cikarang.

Two days after the social service event, there were 201 eye patients. The target of the social service is of course to the less-fortunate people in Cikarang and nearby. The coordinator of this event, Like Hermansyah, saw the social service that was held on 11^th and 12^th August went well as hoped, and is her utmost happiness.

 “Yes, it can be said that it goes just as I hoped. Why? Because the social service not only helped people in need, but also blossomed a ton of universal love within people. Many donators in Cikarang also followed suit, by donating food, funds, and labor work. There were more than 100 local volunteers from Cikarang involved, more so with the senior volunteers from Jakarta, I feel this is truly in harmony,” said the Volunteers Committee.

Translator : Ricky Satria

Editor : Antonius