when hand in hand is necessary

This is an effort from us, a few Indonesian community whom live in Vancouver, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada to help Yogyakarta and surrounding Merapi volcano. As you know, this volcano was erupted on October 26, 2010 for the first time in this disaster. After that, so many eruption was following. The evacuation area surrounding Merapi is become 20 kms distance from the summit of Merapi. As the last information, the Merapi eruption this time is the biggest eruption in century, bigger than its eruption on 1872 ( please read the link)…

A few of us, Indonesian community in Vancouver and Victoria has an idea of gathering hand in hand try to help as we can; As a matter a fact that we want this because we are care and not affiliate with any political or organization; We are independent and freely just try to help.

Any comment and ideas?

Is this just another day?

When the morning is start

When the dream is still hanging and hod on to the hopes

When the foot is ready to climb the day

When the sun is 'smilling'

I am ready to say that I am ready for the day..

..

report and reflection

Dear friends
Time goes so fast and I feel that I have done nothing...But might be not though, since I have a lot of surprises moment and memory that came up lately.August 24, 2006 today and it is beautiful and hot day (always – just to remember that I am in a tropical country) here in Yogyakarta. I just came back from Lingkar secretariat. I did give a funds ($600xRp.7580 = Rp. 4548.000). Ninil, she is the coordinator for Lingkar Network told me thanks so much for all your help. They will use this fund for continuing their programs in Bantul area. They will continuously working mostly with women and children. Lingkar Network has 9 members of organizations; and they work in three villages in Bantul regency.
Other than that, the second round of our fundraising effort that I send to Bethesda hospital; Endang and Prapti said that they received it and they thanks to you all as well.
Some reflection
Couple of months already the earthquake was happened. The waves of Emergency relief and reconstruction effort are ‘hit’ the area. I just watch a news there is a protest from group of people who are the victims of the devastation; they were protested that the distribution of the ‘help’ are not fairly distributed all the area. They went to the governor’s office (who is the Sultan as well) and the Sultan accept them in a ‘pendopo’ – is a traditional Javanese meeting/ gathering place.
The vice president said before (in the first month after the earthquake) that government of Indonesia will give a funds to the victims 30, 20, 10 million per household to the people whose house are absolutely damaged, part damaged and small part of damaged. BUT this ‘political’ statement isn’t come true and in the last decision, each household will get 4 million in the first stage; and they said it will be three stages (within total 12 million per household).
Last night I went to one of (or I think the only one, real vegetarian warungs with mostly mixed menu between traditional Javanese and western style of food). I saw an old friend who was an activist – and in my opinion he has a good idealistic lifestyle- and he told me that since the ‘gempa’ (earthquake) the map of ngo, institution, and network are so confusing. Everybody try to find a ‘helping’ project. So many international organizations, national and local organization are ‘flying’ to the area of devastation with the name of ‘helping project’. The big question that we have is how sustainable the program that they have? I do not mean to be critical about this situation, but the reality said so many organizations and so much money that involved in this situation.
All these stories are make me thinking about what we did and even though small – or some people might said it is really little tiny- effort of helping, but we try our best through minimizing administrative cost. I think our effort of helping is come from a basic need of a human being to help each other without border of regulations, nations, and beaurocracy things.
What next?
I will be going to Flores on this coming Monday (August 28) and like I said I might still be able to help to distribute the funds, I might not too; it depends on the bank situation in Flores. I told friend of mine in Bali (Budi) who has a friend who might still have some funds and I try to connect them (Budi’s friend and Lingkar). In my last e-mail, I did attach the receipt from Lingkar and there is a contact name and their bank address as well. Thanks also to Lynda Paterson who might still continuously do a fundraising in her area of friends and networks. She has such a great idea of fundraising and she might connect to Lingkar directly or through me is fine too. Hopefully this effort will continues and I only hope that the seeds that we put in the soil of honesty will grow and gat a good fruits afterward. I will leave you with some of pictures from the village, these personal collection and lingkar network. You can take a look at: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/murdawa/album?.dir=c0e7scd

there is no real border

Dear Friends,
Almost three weeks I 've been in Yogyakarta. So many things happend in the short time and in my last blog, I said that so many changes in Yogyakarta since I came home last time. In this three weeks, I found more and more changing..... I know... things are canging, include our life, love and also do not to forget laugh, because this is represent our spirit of happines in this life (or some times laugh is represent our sarcasm too hey?)
Anyway, in this entry, I would like to say:
1. Thank you so much to Lynda Paterson who is sending $500 to my friend Robin and he tranfer it to my account
2. Thanks to Dave Olsen (the bicycle family) who did transfer $100 direnctly to my vancity account.
3. I will withdraw the money from my account here at BCA bank in Yogyakarta and give it to Lingkar in cash and I can take it out and give it to Lingkar(http://lingkar06.tripod.com/index_en.htm).

All above I can do it while I am in Yogyakarta city and it will be more difficult if I am not in Yogyakarta anymore, whic is 10 more days. I have plan to go to Flores around 28/29 of August, it depend on the avalibility of the flight from Yogya to Enda Flores.
I've talked to Lingkar person the other day that I might ask their bank account and I can put it in my blog, so there is possiblities that you can transfer directly to them as well. And also, I am not sure what bank I will have in Flores too, It might conviniece to continues this effort from flores as well.

As a closing, I would like to thank you Lynda, who has a great idea of doing fundraising for Lingkar and also thank you to Robin Susanto, who is willing helping me to do transer and etc.

There are more hopes in the area of earthquake rehabilitation just because of all your help and our hopes..too, especially for the children who has longer path of life compare to us who is exist in this world earlier than them.

tahnks and peace from many motorcicles city...yogyakarta

arrived in Yogya

August 5, 2006

Coming home to the land of many people and tons of motorcycles in the city of Yogyakarta, I feel like in the middle of mix feeling. A lot of changes in this city since I came here 3.5 years ago for a short visit.

CUSO orientation
Other cooperant (Gregory) and I were arrived in Yogyakarta on Tuesday August 1, 2006 with Garuda Indonesia from Jakarta. Thanks to mbak Nurrendah who help us a lot when we were arrived at Jakarta international airport. She help us to get the ticket from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, since we had ticket from Vancouver to Jakarta only. After a long-long flight her help just like and angel for us, and we do not know much and a lot of changes since I went home last time. There are so many Price, flight companies and facilities in Jakarta and Indonesia in general. And also for the future references, the luggage in domestic flight in Indonesia is only 20 kg per person; we should get charge the overweight, but Nurrendah help us to argue, that we were from international flight-and she is working for transportation department in Indonesia; so we did not have to pay for the overweight. Thanks mbak Nur.
Arrived in Yogyakarta, we had a rest a little then we went out for dinner with some people from CUSO office, kind of ‘informal’ orientation in the first night we were in Yogyakarta. The next day, we had an orientation wit our Country rep. and his assistant. In the last couple days we have an orientation in administrative and procedurals thing as a cuso cooperants. Did I mention that Gregory will go to Flores as well? Yes, he will go to east part of Flores Island and he will be doing work for an NGO there who works in the area of agricultural development and marketing. In Canada, he was worked in UBC farm
Friday we have plan to go to Bantul area to visit one cuso placement and there is one cooperant working with children there. Sunday, we have plan to go to Pundong sub district which is in Bantul area as well, we will visit some reconstruction project that has been funded by cuso and organized by a cuso volunteer, Hester. Cuso get some funds and working with local ngo to do a earthquake relief effort, and now in the stage of reconstruction project on the way. About the earthquake reconstruction thing, I will try to write in separate later on, because so many issues and problems that everybody should know.

Family and friends
I went home to visit my family and I will stay with them after the orientation is finish. It was a ‘mix’ feeling to see them again. I am so happy to see them and I think they do too. My sister lending me a motorbike and it is helpful for getting around in Yogyakarta. It is nice to meet my two nieces whom I never met before. One of them is 1,5 years old and the other is 9 months yeas old. Other nieces and nephews are growing up now. One of them will graduate from Nurse Academy by the end of this month and two of them will get to university this month. I love them; they are so wonderful nieces and nephews, and my sisters and brothers too. My mother is like usual, humble motherhood and she is happy to see me as well; and of course I am happy to see her too.
Last night (Friday night); I went out with Endang Budiarti and Prapti, friends from CCI and they are like my own sister. Greg was coming along as well. We went to ‘traditional’ javanesse food restaurant. It is great place and good food too. We had great conversation regarding the earthquake relief effort according to Bethesda Hospital (did I mention that Endang is a vice president of this hospital, and Prapti is an executive secretary?). Endang brought her laptop and we saw bunch of pictures from earthquake emergency respond in the hospital. It is ‘crazy’ situation in that time – at least what my opinion is – from the pictures that we have seen.
Other than that, we were talked about how ‘crazy’ the map of local, national and off course international ngo in Yogyakarta.

the last one

When the time finally comes, we still not believe that it comes; just like my life right now. Another 48 hours I won't be here in Vancouver anymore. Some people said what is the matter of place when we talk about family, friendship and helping people. There is no boundary anymore in connection around the world. So, I will miss you all my friends in Canada. You're the best.
In this time I want to say sorry for dellay sending the money to Indonesia for the last time. I wanted to wait for some friends who did donate in the past week. Finnally, we can gaathered $900 for the bethesda hospital staff, whose house had been destroyed by the earthquake. It is not too much for some people thought, but it is a lot and meaningfull for others. I just have an idea that if we can not save a 'the big' one, at least we try to save one even though how small it is.

This last round of sending money were comes from bunch of friends: Shawna Baldwin ,Marlene Doyle, Lisa-Rudy, Deanna, Greg, Virginia-Eric, Ibu Wil, Ellen, and I.
I will see them when I get to Yogyakarta on August 1, NEXT week ...
Thank you to all of you who help me in this effort. Special thanks to ibu Wil who hleps me a lot in this matter and other thing as well, Lynda Paterson, Robin Susanto, my rommate and also thanks to all Indonesian friends in Yogyakarta, Prapti, Endang, Rina, etc. for all the information and make this thing works, Again thank you to all of you.

Last but not least,
For no, this blog I still keep it, but for the future, I might make an other one for my placement with CUSO, so I can update what is going on and I want to hear from you as well while I am away (?)
We did it, at least we tried even a small thing.

Peace,
sigit

two more weeks

Dear Friends:
Sorry for being late to update this blog. I just want to let you know that by the end of this month I will not in Vancouver anymore. I will be in Yogyakarta early august, for CUSO placement. I will help a little in Yogya then to Flores island where my workplacement is.

Regarding the donation for Yogyakarta earthquake releif, so far we have $495 still in my vancity bank account. Thanks to Shawna, Ibu Jean, Elen, and Marlene and not to forget mbak Lisa and Mas Rudy. This donation is the third round, since the end of May 2006. Just for resume, in total we raised $ 2000 and that money I did send to Yogyakarta already. Now, the third one I am thinking I will send it sometimes next week, since there will be a gathering at my place and some friends are commited to donate.

Thanks a lot to Sheepindonesia as well to send us the update about their work in Yogyakarta. I am looking forward to see them as soon as I get there.

Hope there will be no more major natural disaster in Java island.......

an other one

What is wrong with java island and Indian ocean? I think there is nothing wrong,just the way it is. An other earthquake that trigger a tsunami just hit south part of Java island. It is reported there are 361 people dead. Mostly in the area of Pangandaran beach and Cilacap area. Pangandaran beach is located about whole day by bus and boat west of Yogyakarta. Here is an article from JP that might bring us a different perspective of seeing this natural disaster.

Indonesia's second tsunami disaster shows need for warning system
PANGANDARAN, West Java (AP): Within minutes of the earthquake, regional tsunami centers warned it had the potential to send a deadly wave speeding toward Indonesia. But the country had no way of passing the information onto those in its path until it was too late.
Indonesia was the worst hit by the 2004 tsunami, and Monday's disaster shows how unprepared the sprawling island nation remains in dealing with the threat of tsunami triggered by the awesome seismic forces that lie beneath it.
Most people at this devastated beach resort did not feel the 7.7-magnitude earthquake and few noticed the ocean receding -- a typical phenomenon before a tsunami -- because the tide was already low and the effect was not especially pronounced, local residents and tourists said Tuesday.
"The police and local officials did not give us any warning whatsoever about the tsunami," said Supratu, a fisherman.
"Suddenly this big wall of water appeared and I started screaming and running."
The earthquake struck at 3:19 p.m., and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert 17 minutes later saying a tsunami was possible. The first of several waves hit Java's southern coast at around 4:15 p.m. -- nearly an hour after the temblor,witnesses said.
Indonesia initially registered the quake at under magnitude 6, and by the time government scientists realized its true power it was too late to warn government offices across the danger zone, said scientist Fauzi.
We tried to radio them "but there was no way we had the time," he said.
But even if they'd succeeded, without an automated system in place to pass the message on to villagers via loudspeakers on beaches or mobile phone text messages, the evacuation of significant numbers of people would have been unlikely.
The tsunami killed at least 339 people and destroyed hundreds of homes.
With international help, Indonesia has begun installing a tsunami warning system off Aceh province on Sumatra island, where more than 130,000 of the some 216,000 victims of the 2004 tsunami lived. It plans to roll out the system across the country of18,000 islands by 2009, officials said Tuesday.
"Setting one up is not as easy as simply lifting your hand," Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie told The Associated Press. "We are preparing one, but it is notfinished yet."
In Sumatra, two buoys have been placed in the ocean containing equipment able to detect whether a tsunami has been triggered and transmit the information to a land station. However, sirens onbeaches or in villages have yet to be set up there either.