Solidarity, Pantura-style: Distributing Masks and Meals for the Elderly

Solidarity initiatives are mushrooming amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including on Central Java’s northern coastal highway (Pantura). In Tegal, the local administration launched the Elderly Care free meal program.

KOMPAS/KRISTI UTAMI

Online motorcycle taxi drivers attend the launch of the Eman Lansia meal program at Tegal City Hall, Central Java, on Thursday (4/4/2020). The drivers have been tasked with delivering meals to elderly residents.

Solidarity initiatives are mushrooming amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including on Central Java’s northern coastal highway (Pantura). From civil servants distributing masks to free meals for senior citizens, locals are doing everything they can to protect one another.

In Tegal, the local administration launched the Elderly Care free meal program on Thursday (9/4/2020). In the program, 600 senior citizens in the city are provided with meals comprising rice, vegetables, side dishes and fruits.

Other than ensuring nutritious meals for the elderly, we also involve UPPKS members and motorcycle taxi drivers in the program.

The meals are prepared by members of local districts’ community groups for income-generating activities (UPPKS) and distributed in metal food baskets by motorcycle taxi drivers. At least 60 UPPKS members and 10 motorcycle taxi drivers are involved in the program.

The senior citizens receive one meal delivery every week, delivered on Thursdays.

“Other than ensuring nutritious meals for the elderly, we also involve UPPKS members and motorcycle taxi drivers in the program. One program can benefit everyone,” Tegal social affairs agency head Dyah Kemala Shinta said at Tegal City Hall on Thursday.

Also read : Lessons from Quarantine at Kampung Hitu

KOMPAS/KRISTI UTAMI

A woman prepares meals for the Eman Lansia meal program to be distributed to the elderly in Tegal, Central Java, on Thursday (4/4/2020). The meals consist of rice, vegetables, side dishes and snacks.

The involvement of motorcycle taxi drivers can boost their income, which has plummeted since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Local motorcycle taxi driver Hendri, 29, said that his income had plunged by 50 percent during the outbreak.

In normal conditions, Hendri can receive at least 10 orders in a day. During the outbreak, he receives five orders a day at most.

“Alhamdulillah [Praise be to God] for this program. We can get additional income,” Hendri said.

Meanwhile, in Batang regency, all civil servants were asked to donate five face masks to the local COVID-19 mitigation task force. The masks were then distributed to local residents who are having difficulties finding them.

Also read : Depok Residents Fight Against Outbreak

Batang currently has around 7,000 civil servants. If each can donate five face masks, the COVID-19 mitigation task force can collect up to 35,000 masks.

“This is proof of local civil servants’ participation and awareness of COVID-19 prevention,” said Batang Regent Wihaji.

Also read : Physical and Mental Health During COVID-19

KOMPAS/KRISTI UTAMI

Tegal Mayor Dedy Yon Supriyono delivers a speech at the launch of the Eman Lansia meal program on Thursday (4/4/2020). The program aims to provide assistance in the form of meals for the elderly in the city of Tegal, Central Java.

He added that other than donations from civil servants, the local COVID-19 mitigation task force also received 15,000 masks from various donors. Wihaji, who chairs the task force, said civil servants and others who wished to donate face masks could buy them from local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Local MSMEs and tailors have complained about a declining number of orders during the COVID-19 outbreak. If civil servants can buy masks they produce, they can help boost their economy,” Wihaji said.

The Family Welfare Program (PKK) organizers of Banjaragung village in Warureja district, Tegal regency, also involved locals in making face masks.

Nineteen housewives and workers recently made redundant because of COVID-19 are involved in producing the masks, which are then distributed for free to locals.

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A student of SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Adiwerna state junior high school puts a mask on a trader at the Banjaran market, Adiwerna district, Tegal regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (2/2/2020). Students were involved in raising awareness about the prevention of COVID-19.

In one week, the initiative can produce up to 5,000 masks. Maskmakers receive Rp 1,500 (9.5 US cents) for each mask. The money to buy face mask materials and pay the maskmakers comes from the PKK’s coffers and village funds.

“The maskmakers work from their own homes. We deliver the materials to their homes,” said Banjaragung village’s PKK head Nur Khayati.

Meanwhile, in Pekalongan, civil servants’ allowances are cut by 10 percent starting this month. The money will then be donated to the city’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Other than civil servants, the mayor and deputy mayor also plan to donate their salaries for three months to the efforts.

Previously, Tegal Deputy Regent Sabilillah Ardie said he would donate his full salary for the next six months for the regency’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Ardie then asked all civil servants and locals with extra income to do the same.

In the end, amid the civilization-disrupting pandemic, humanitarian efforts and empathy chart the path toward survival. Hopefully, this solidarity can give all of us an extra shot of energy to survive until things return to normal.

DOK PKK DESA BANJARAGUNG

A resident makes cloth masks in Banjaragung village, Warureja district, Tegal regency, Central Java, on Thursday (4/4/2020). The mask-making enables residents to earn an income during the outbreak.