What People Want to Realise in this Housing

The signing of agreement of Tzu Chi Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing is the final step before Palu residents could occupy the house.  

"Before the liquefaction occurred, I was the chairman of the RW (community unit) responsible for cleanliness. Each house will be given bags to sort out their waste between wet and dry waste. Wet waste is disposed of in the landfill, dry waste such as water bottles will be recycled. So God willing, I will make this work in Huntap (permanent housing)," said Irawan Sukma, a resident of Donggala Kodi, Palu City who is a candidate for residents of Tzu Chi Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing.

"In Huntap, I want to help people who are sick. Whatever help I can do there, I’ll do it," said Doctor Andry Hamdani, a resident of Balaroa Village, who was also a victim of the faction.

The signing of the permanent housing agreement of the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing which was held at the Vatulemo Park in Palu City on 14-15 March 2020 was not only a story about prayers that were answered, but also about the enthusiasm of the people to rise up and play a large part in creating a social order that supports each other in kindness.

Creating a Clean Environment Housing

Irawan Sukma who works for Environmental Service Office in Central Sulawesi is determined to establish a clean environment at the Tzu Chi Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing. He hopes residents there will be willing to help each other.

"I try to make this Palu rise again. Even though we had a disaster, but thank God there was help from Tzu Chi. Moreover, this help comes without us spending any dimes, " Irawan said.

Irawan Sukma has been working at the Environmental Service Office in Central Sulawesi for three years. He previously worked at the Public Spatial Planning Office. Even though Irawan is a civil servant, the faction disaster that destroyed his entire house made Irawan have to start living from zero again. Even then, he’s grateful for both of his children who were alone at home could save themselves.

"Thank God, the faction in our place is not like the one in Perumnas Balaroa. There, the ground was split opened and closed in an instant, but in here it stayed opened so as soon as the house enters the ground, my child could get out of the faults," said Irawan.

Irawan was also thankful that God was still given a chance to live, ten minutes after he left the office that afternoon, his office fell into a swallowing of faction.

"My wife called me to go home earlier so I have time to do the sunset prayer before we leave to watch the Palunomoni Festival. During that time, I often worked until late at the office. If my wife didn’t call me from the office, maybe I wouldn't survive," he recalls.

Irawan and his family have been living in Kodi shelter for almost two years. A more comfortable permanent residence, built by Tzu Chi is now in sight.

"What clear is that I am very grateful for the help from Tzu Chi, and God willing, what I intend can be done well. This is also a form of my gratitude to Tzu Chi, because I cannot pay them back with anything," Irawan said in a low voice.

Wish to Provide Treatment for Residents

Doctor Andry Hamdani posed for photo after taking his house number.

Meanwhile, Doctor Andry Hamdani is a surgeon at Anutapura Regional General Hospital, Palu. The residents of Balaroa village are victims of the faction. His mother and niece even died in this calamity.

As for himself when the faction occurred, he was on duty at the hospital, while his son and wife happened to be shopping. Similar to Irawan Sukma, Doctor Andry also has to start his life from scratch since he lost his house and everything inside it.

Doctor Andry was very grateful that Tzu Chi was willing to reach out to Palu residents.

"Maybe it's not my capacity to represent, but I'm sure everyone here who receives help must be very grateful to Tzu Chi," he said.

For the assistance provided by Tzu Chi, Doctor Andry also tried to get involved in the Tzu Chi Health Mission activities.

"Yes, I was given information about Tzu Chi social service activities. If indeed I was asked later, I would definitely try to help, "he concluded.

Later, Doctoer Andry, a surgeon at Anutapura Palu Public Hospital wishes to help residents who are ill and give treatments.

Implementing Afforestation and Keep Encouraging the Residentsa
There is Ilham H. Asnawi who is a retiree in the Regional Revenue Service. In the disaster faction that sank seven of his house plots, he also lost his second child, Anita Amaliah (36), whose body hasn’t been found until now. Ilham and his family are currently living at the home of their relatives in Citra Banua Nagaya BTN Housing, Palu City.

Ilham's eyes were filled with tears after getting his house number at Tzu Chi Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing.

"I am very grateful for all the services, moreover the facilities prepared by the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation so that all who have been burdened by thoughts and obstacles so far, have all been resolved," he said.

Ilham also stated that he was ready to volunteer at Tzu Chi Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing.

"I am ready to help with any assignment, from anywhere not only from Tzu Chi, I am ready to help. The plan is that when I start to live there, I want to sponsor the afforestation, I happen to have friends in the forestry service who are willing to supply plants and trees to be planted in the Cinta Kasih Housing, "he continued.

Ilham H. Asnawi, a retiree in the Regional Revenue Service wishes to create a greener environment inside the complex of around 1000 families.

Drs Samir who is soon to be retire from teaching at MAN 1 Palu wants to continue his service by teaching the kids at the Tzu Chi Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing.

Meanwhile Drs Samir (59) is a physical health education teacher at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 MAN Palu. The resident of the Likue faction disaster in Balaroa, wants to be able to teach children there. He will also encourage other residents to jointly eliminate trauma.

"I want the residents to be happy and feel at home there. We wake up together, we remove trauma, and we get back up," said Pak Samir who is in retirement nine months later.

Lenny Darmawang is talking to prospective resident of the Tzu Chi Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing. She wants the residents to respect and love each other for a harmonious and peaceful living.

Lenny Darmawang, Tzu Chi volunteer has a message to prospective residents of Tadulako Cinta Kasih Housing. He also said this to some of the residents he served in the process of signing the housing agreement on 14-15 March 2020.

"I always say to them that we must live in harmony because they live in a very large complex. So there might be people who are not used to a thousand family heads, how big right? ‘So you also have to protect the environment. People have different beliefs and religions, we have to respect each other, love each other’, that can make us live in harmony and peace," said the Tzu Chi Makassar volunteer.