Persistent Determination to Share amid Pandemic

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Nurmaya

For the last seven months, Nurmaya has never ceased providing free food for residents impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. On Fridays, the ornamental plant seller on Jalan Inspeksi Slipi, Kemanggisan, Palmerah, West Jakarta, converts the front part of her plant kiosk into a free food stall.

One day, an app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver dropped into the free-of-charge food stand owned by Nurmaya. After savoring the food, he approached Nurmaya and asked if it would be OK to take some food for his wife and children. On that day, the driver had only earned Rp12,000.

Without a second thought, Nurmaya readily agreed. When the ojek driver was hurrying home, Nurmaya could not help but to feel deeply moved.

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The experience sticks in Nurmaya’s mind and at the same time gives her reason not to ever stop offering alms. She believes that all difficulties being faced will be overcome through charity.

“I believe, when we die, we will depart with none of our wealth. By giving alms, I feel that all troubles will have their solutions. That’s why I will never stop doing it,” she said when visited on Wednesday (9/12/2020).

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Nurmaya’s economic condition in this pandemic is actually no better. Previously, she owned a salon measuring 3 x 5 square meters in Kemandoran. The pandemic forced Nurmaya to close her salon because her income steeply dropped.

Now she focuses on her ornamental plant business. Every morning she has to tend to her second child who is undergoing distance learning so she opens her plant kiosk later than usual. Her earnings have inevitably declined.

KOMPAS/FAJAR RAMADHAN

Nurmaya

Because of this, Nurmaya was three months late in paying her eldest child’s junior high school fees of Rp1.2 million. The fees could only be paid after one of her customers had bought Rp 1 million worth of plants.

“I was trembling when I received the money. I promptly thought of paying my child’s SPP (educational contributions). I deem it a miracle because it happened after my charity work,” she pointed out.

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On Fridays, around 100 portions of food are prepared for people passing Jalan Inspeksi Slipi from 10.30. Her stall is never deserted as Nurmaya doesn’t hesitate to go down the street to invite motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians to drop by.

They are free to consume rice and dishes served in the 1.5-meter show window. The dishes are among others orek tempe (sauteed tempeh pieces in spices), fried noodles, tahu balado (tofu in red chili sauce), tuna and chicken.

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In the beginning, Nurmaya distributed wrapped food to whomever on the street. Gradually, people were scrambling to get the food. Some of them even took more than one wrapped pack each.

So, Nurmaya has changed her alms concept by opening a free food stall. She uses whatever equipment is available. Some chairs. For instance, are borrowed from neighbors. Although there’s often a long queue, at least visitors still neatly maintain their distance.

KOMPAS/FAJAR RAMADHAN

Two women invite motorcyclists to eat for free at a Nurmaya stall on Jalan Inspeksi Slipi Kemanggisan, West Jakarta, Friday (4/12/2020).

This action has attracted the attention of many people, who have also joined the charity by contributing money or basic necessities to Nurmaya. With the donations Nurmaya can provide more varied dishes. She is assisted by three relatives in cooking and preparing the food.

“I never calculate (expenses), but the amount spent every time may be Rp500,000. If any aid is donated by residents, more dishes are doled out. The aid I get ranges in value from Rp10,000 to Rp200,000,” she said.

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Three months ago her stall had to be closed due to a spike in Covid-19 cases. It was reopened around last month. Despite the closure, Nurmaya was actively sharing wrapped food on Fridays on the side of the street.

Nurmaya’s activity is inspired by her father, who passed away five years ago due to heart disease. Through her father’s instruction, Nurmaya understands the meaning of sharing with other people.

She considers her father not just smart at lecturing but also at setting examples. She remembers the time when she went along with her father by motorcycle. On the way, he halted and took out some money from his pocket.

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He asked Nurmaya to give the money to people who were distributing free food as she is doing today. Such trivial things have always made her amazed at her father’s philanthropy.

KOMPAS/FAJAR RAMADHAN

Some people enjoy free food at Nurmaya\'s stall on Jalan Inspeksi Slipi Kemanggisan, West Jakarta, Friday (4/12/2020).

Nurmaya has chosen the plant kiosk as the location of the gratis food stall because it has always reminded her of the figure of her late father, who formerly managed the kiosk before being succeeded by Nurmaya.

In such a condition, why bother (sharing). It’s even hard to make both ends meet. With not much to spare, it’s just pretense

This kiosk is a semipermanent building made from wooden planks. It measures only around 3 x 4 square meters.

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Nurmaya’s noble deed isn’t free from derision, though. One of her relatives has once deplored the food sharing done by Nurmaya, suggesting that she should just mind her own predicaments instead of minding other people.

“In such a condition, why bother (sharing). It’s even hard to make both ends meet. With not much to spare, it’s just pretense,” said Nurmaya, imitating her relative.

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Nurmaya’s patience to face the ridicule was finally rewarding. About 3.5 months ago, her father’s house was selected as a recipient of the housing operation program of a construction service company. The house that was previously dilapidated can now be reoccupied.

The entire experience has strengthened Nurmaya’s determination to always share with others. She will never cease sharing with fellow citizens.

Nurmaya

Born: Jakarta, 18 February 1981

Husband: Antonius Ekwan Susanto

Children: three

Education:

- State Primary School 02 Kemanggisan, West Jakarta

- Junior High School of As Shahidiqiah Islamic Center, West Jakarta

- Senior High School of Darussalam Islamic Boarding School, Bogor