The Barn of Kindness

KOMPAS/Spektakel

Sosok Dimas Jayasrana

With his sense of solidarity, Dimas Jayasrana initiated a food barn on Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro in Gondangdia, Central Jakarta. There, he stores foodstuffs to be distributed to residents who are facing food shortages because of the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic.

In the early morning of Aug. 13 (13/8/2020), Dimas bought food necessities in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, to be distributed to residents. The foodstuffs that are distributed each week consist of staple foods, vegetables and side dishes.

Dimas also boiled cassava and sweet potatoes and prepared coffee and tea for the residents. Since 5:30 a.m., the beneficiaries of the food barn, consisting of app-based motorcycle taxi drivers, housewives, cleaners, security guards and others, have started lining up. In fact, the distribution of foodstuffs is only carried out between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Furthermore, like the life cycle in the new normal era, Dimas began to check the remaining foodstuffs and compile a shopping list for the next food distribution.

The idea of establishing the food barn came because Dimas had once felt depressed in facing the pandemic, which had disturbed his life dynamics both socially and economically. The visual artist who was usually busy creating cultural content suddenly lost clients and his activities became controlled by large-scale social restrictions. The environment where he lived was suddenly quiet.

"I can\'t let myself sink into this gloomy feeling and don\'t know what to do," he said.

ARSIP SPEKTAKEL

Warga antre untuk mendapatkan bahan pangan gratis dari program Lumbung Pangan di Residents line up to get free food from the Food Granary program in Gondangdia, Central Jakarta. This activity was initiated by Dimas Jayasrana.

He also read the news about the distribution of social assistance for people affected by COVID-19, which was often not on target. The items included in the social assistance packages are also limited to only rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, sugar, tea and coffee.

"What if the people want to cook? Where do the garlic and shallots come from? Where do the vegetables and side dishes come from?"

The man who once worked at RuangRupa as the head of research and documentation then initiated the food barn. This movement brought together people who had spare foodstuffs, even though it was only a piece of tofu and tempeh, with those who needed food assistance. They are all called residents of the food barn.

Food defense

In the past, food barns were easily found in villages across Indonesia. The goal was to store spare foodstuffs for use, especially when unexpected events such as famine or disasters occurred. Unfortunately, this local wisdom is being forgotten.

Dimas, who spent his childhood in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, in the mid-1980s still remembers how people in the neighborhood donated rice every day. Residents placed a cup of rice in front of their house and neighborhood unit (RT) officials or mosque administrators would collect them. The collected rice was given to people in need.

Now the jumputan (rice collection) tradition is hard to find in Jakarta and is replaced by cash donations.

"Although it looks easier and more concise, the interaction between people is missing. In fact, if we share food, there is a personal touch that makes us feel as whole human beings," he said. Initially, he collected food items from his instant noodle shop to be distributed to residents.

Initially, he collected food items from his instant noodle shop to be distributed to residents.

Initially, he collected food items from his instant noodle shop to be distributed to residents.

He wants to return the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) through the food barn. At the food barn, people do not only share but also strengthen mental strength and social ties. He realized the idea on April 24. Initially, he collected food items from his instant noodle shop to be distributed to residents.

Furthermore, family, friends and residents will also provide assistance in the form of food and side dishes.

"This is not a donation activity, but sharing. Anyone can participate," he said.

Over time, the number of people who need food aid continues to increase. Meanwhile, the food barn\'s ability to provide food is limited.

"This is a challenge. If these activities suddenly stop, I am not ready to disappoint people,” he said.

Spreading kindness

Dimas was born and raised in Jakarta. After graduating from high school, he moved to Purwokerto, Central Java, and spent three semesters at the English Department of Jenderal Soedirman University. He interacted with many people who opened his eyes to the world of film, art and culture. One day, a friend of his, Alex Fahmi, helped Dimas borrow a camera he used to make short films. The film took him to the International Short Film Festival in Hamburg, Germany.

He has also worked full-time in the world of film. He produced a number of films in various genres, ranging from documentaries to short films.

“Alex and friends provide basic knowledge for taking steps. Without them, I\'m lost. This inspires me to share so that goodness can spread," he said.

Since 2000, Dimas has been involved in various arts and culture projects, show management and the development of film community networks. From 2007 to 2018, he actively helped CLC Purbalingga manage the Purbalingga Film Festival.

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

Distribution of foodstuffs for residents in the Food Barn.

Apart from focusing on arts, Dimas also dedicated himself to sharing knowledge with the general public. He founded a farmer group in the Banyumas area and helped street children in Purwokerto in 1999-2002. Until now, he is also active in providing audiovisual workshops and training to young people. Dimas didn\'t just take a step. He went a long way.

Dimas Jayasrana

Born: Jakarta

Activities:

- Founder of Youth Power Purwokerto, 2001-2005

- Director and Co-founder of Banyumas Film Network, 2007-present

- Founder and CEO Spektakel.id, 2015-present

- Founder of Komunitasfilm.id, 2016-present

- Program Director for Purbalingga Film Festival, 2010-2018