Ray's story (January 2021)
Student in Sumba, Indonesia
Since returning to Homba Karipit, Kodi, in Southwest Sumba, my entertainment choices have changed from when I was in Jogja. Because I have joined the Catholic Youth, and many friends have come home from college, I have friends to do afternoon exercise with. My friends in Homba Karipit and I usually play volleyball on the parish field of Santa Maria Homba Karipit. Usually, information is given via the Catholic Youth WhatsApp group every two weeks. But if on certain other days someone wants to play volleyball together, we can invite each other.
In addition, during this pandemic, I also go fishing. Usually, I fish on Radar Beach at Kodi Balaghar, which is about 30–45 minutes from my house I also go fishing at Mandorak beach, which is closer – less than 30 minutes I usually go fishing with my brothers We fish by moonlight If the moon is dark we go fishing, if the moon is bright we don't go fishing. We fish from around 2pm to 9pm. When we return home, we usually bring our catch, often of various types of fish, and eat together at home.
Resilience
"Grieving in the Pandemic"
M's story (January 2021)
Researcher in Jakarta, Indonesia
When I started to feel happy and that my life was beginning, my husband –whom I loved – passed away. Surrounded by a family who love him, he died from his illness, not because of the COVID-19. Yes, I am grieving. Now, I know the feeling of losing someone you love, whether due to illness or age. But, whatever the reason is, the sadness and the pain remain the same. I have learned to appreciate life more, realising that everything is only temporary. Happiness and sadness will end. I believe this pandemic will pass.
Holding this new belief, again I can see that the road ahead is not always foggy There will come a time when the sun will shine again and the future will be bright again I believe everything will be beautiful at the right time And if right now everything seems so difficult, there will come a time when we look back and smile because we've gracefully passed the situation
Resilience
Resilience
George's story (December 2020)
Freelance photographer in Jakarta, Indonesia
I was thinking hard about how to get another income and decided to look at my old photos that I had used for my portfolio on my social media, so that potential clients could see them and use my photography services. Finally, I had an idea to focus on food and products photography. Along with those food and product photos portfolios, I provide two options for my clients: either I come to them for their product photo, or they can send their products to me without having to meet in person. The second option certainly minimised the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus, but on the other hand, I had to invest in some photo items at home. Usually, if the photo is taken at the client's place, the photographic items is provided in their restaurant/shop so as photographer I don't have to worry. But you have to sacrifice more if you want to survive this pandemic.
Finally, it paid off, I have a client who has continued using my photo services for their products. So far, I have had 4 photo sessions with this client. First, a photo session for regular products, second for Christmas hampers, third for Chinese New Year hampers, and lastly for Valentine hampers. In addition to being an alternative source of income that is quite sufficient, I have also been able to explore product photography, especially of food and be
Resilience
Solichatun's story (October 2020)
Community Cadre in Jakarta, Indonesia
My name is Solichatun or you can call me Mbak Atun I am 50 years old, a housewife with two sons I am also involved in my community as a community cadre.
In a pandemic situation, although the face-to-face activities are no longer allowed by the Governor, all cadres are kept busy. I manage several social activities such as distributing a basic needs hamper donated by some companies in Jakarta to self-isolating people in my assisted area. We implement the recommended health protocols.
Alhamdulilah, until today, I have delivered 25 packages, thanks to the donors. May blessings always be with them and hopefully these basic necessities will help those who are self-isolating.
Also, I am very grateful to those who have helped with the distribution, so that the distribution can run as expected Hopefully, I can still help to do these activities, as many people still want to donate their generosity to other people
Resilience
Solichatun's
As cadres, we must be able to see opportunities from the issues around us We must open our eyes and ears wider so that if there is a problem we can provide a solution
I have one story. Coincidentally in 2013, one of the hamlets in my assisted area received assistance from the government to build a vegetable seed house as part of a food security program. When I visited that seed house recently, I wish I could be like them. So I initiated the Women Farmers Group and received a positive response from the government.
In the beginning, we collected funds from all members of IDR 10,000/month [US$ 0.70]. That money is for conducting training as well as the capital to buy seeds and fertilizer. People underestimated us, but when it grows well, we have received support from many parties. It has been running for a year now, and when our income decreased during the pandemic, at least we had enough vegetables for our family meals.
story (October 2020) Community Cadre in Jakarta, Indonesia
Elvia's story (January 2021) Religion Teacher in Sumba, Indonesia
When schools have been closed during the pandemic, I have had a lot of free time To avoid wasting this time, I joined the Catholic Youth group at the Santa Maria Assumpta Parish in Homba Karipit. In this organization, I met some friends who also like to sing and join the church choir. The people who saw our performance at every Sunday mass often asked us to perform in their events too, such as weddings. Sometimes, we also cover several songs on Youtube. It takes extra effort to record for Youtube with limited conditions, equipment and internet signal. But we are not discouraged, and with the support of friends, as well as the [church] Fathers, we have finally been able to make some videos during this pandemic. We are quite happy with this activity because we have activities during the pandemic and can stream our hobbies.
Resilience
Resilience
Iin's story (January 2021)
Physics Teacher in Sumba, Indonesia
My name is Iin, a physics teacher at one high school in Southwest Sumba. Since COVID-19 occurred various challenges have emerged in the teaching and learning process in the schools.
In September 2020, students were still studying at school, but the school's hours were reduced. Usually one subject, which had been delivered in two hours, had been squeezed into one hour only. Students and teachers also should comply with the health protocols and wear masks all the time.
When social restrictions were announced by the district government, the school closed Students needed to study from home Some schools started to do online learning But my school and most of the students are located in a remote area, where internet access is difficult and many students don't have cell phones. So, every week, teachers were preparing the subject summaries and assignments to be given to students.
In addition, teachers also provided home-to-home tutoring. Unfortunately, it was only available for students who are living in reachable areas, which means those who live nearby to us. We cannot provide tutoring to students who live in rural areas, because the number of robbery cases has increased during the pandemic in certain rural areas, so we are told not to do so.
"Santri and the Pandemic"
Adi Abdurrachman's story (November 2020)
Madrasah teacher in Bandung, Indonesia
Translation of the letter:
Dear Mum, How are you? How are others?
I am okay here By the way, can I ask for some money to buy a watch? It costs fifteen thousand Also, when you are visiting me, please don't forget to bring my English dictionary, juz Amma, spoon (not the plastic one) and sarong I don't want to wear Dad's sarong anymore Also, can you bring me some snacks, my jeans, tasbih, and later if you have extra money, can you buy me a small plastic cupboard to put my belongings
Ohya, when you are visiting me, you can't meet me. But you can video call me. My teacher will lend his handphone to me. My teacher said it's to avoid the COVID-19 transmission. I am missing you, but don't meet me first okay. I wish I can meet you, Dan, and all families soon. My teacher said, we will have a school break in October, so I wish I meet you all on that time.
Since COVID-19 hit Indonesia the government has imposed several restrictions across sectors of the community, including schools, restaurants, tourist destinations, places of worship, including the life of santri (Madrasah students) at my Madrasah.
Yes, the social restriction policies and health protocols were also implemented in the boarding school environment, such as periodic body temperature checks, the requirement of wearing masks in the school area, learning the hand-washing habit and of taking vitamins, doing exercise once-a-week, and the mobility restrictions in and out of the school area. In fact, since they were allowed to reenter the school in August 2020, the students' parents/guardians were not permitted to do face-to-face visits with them.
This condition certainly has impacted the students, both physically and psychologically. For those who usually meet and chat with their parents at least once a week, this time they have to be patient by only seeing their parents' faces from a distance. Communication with parents or family can only be done through video calls or through a piece of paper containing a 'love letter'. Initially, this condition forced the students to adapt, but as time passed, they started to 'enjoy' their lives in pesantren [boarding school] during this pandemic. Instead, it turns out that the pandemic has taught students to be more independent and adapt quickly. Allah always provides wisdom and lessons at every moment of our lives.
Resilience
