The assistance totaled Rp 225 million, and the packages consisted of hygiene kits, pillows, blankets, and basic food items including rice and sugar, etc. It also contained baby’s clothing sewn by the Relief Society of Jakarta.
(Saturday, 30 October 2010)
Using the chapel on Jalan Diponegoro as its post to help the victims of Mt. Merapi, and under the direction of Sister Bertha Suranto, LDSC recruited and organized members of the Yogyakarta Branch and the youth of the Solo Branch to prepare assistance packages for the needy. The assistance totaled Rp 225 million, and the packages consisted of hygiene kits, pillows, blankets, and basic food items including rice and sugar, etc. It also contained baby’s clothing sewn by the Relief Society of Jakarta. The packages were prepared for about 3800 people who were evacuated to Ketonggeng Village, approximately 4 km north of Muntilan City on the northwest slope of Merapi, which was previously mapped as a disaster area that needed attention. Volunteers and colleagues of Sister Bertha from Jakarta also donated about Rp 25 million. The alumni of Gajah Mada University were also among the donors.
Mr. Rionta, a lecturer of Christianity at Magelang, reported on the situation, taking the opportunity to visit the area with a truck from the Magelang Military Academy. He was stunned by the assistance and the enthusiasm of the church volunteers and said repeatedly, “Are those the many things that the Church is giving us? Amazing! The Church has become a blessing for a lot of us.”
The group led by the new Country Director of LDSC Indonesia Elder and Sister Meredith, consisted of two big trucks and several cars, and approached the location from Jakarta through Solo. They were accompanied by District and Branch leaders as well as church volunteers who helped unload the goods.
“This is the fast offering of Church members throughout the world. They don’t know you but they love you all” said Elder Meredith to hundreds of the displaced people at the Ketonggeng Village post, following the handing in ceremony led by Sister Bertha.
“We are so grateful for the Church’s attention and care for our community’s suffering. You have strengthened and comforted us. We are near despair with the disaster, and we don’t know when it will end. May God bless your noble heart”, replied Mr. L Karim, Chief Clerk of Ketonggeng Village, who for almost three days served his people both night and day.
The gloomy situation gradually became very enthusiastic when Sister Bertha together with Sister Meredith and Sister Grover, distributed the goods for those with babies. A young mum, Tarni (20), who carried her third child aged 3 months, wiped her tears. She was touched upon receiving a thick blanket for her baby. Her response was, “Thank you, may the Merciful God repay all your kindness”. Sister Bertha asked some young mothers to join her in song to relieve the sadness experienced by the village’s mothers.
Friska (20) the youngest volunteer from Solo Tengah Branch said, “I am so happy taking part in this social act. The more I take part in helping our brothers and sisters who are suffering, the more happiness I feel.”
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