It’s all about behaviour change

The Red Cross Red Crescent is working hard to provide clean water and sanitation advice on a tsunami-affected island.

Mother-of-three Iberia Lase says that life is much better now in Afia, sub-district Lahewa, Nias Island. She has built her family latrine and improved her knowledge and behaviour on family sanitation and hygiene, thanks to support from the Red Cross Red Crescent.

“We keep the latrine clean every day, so we can use it comfortably,” she says, smiling.

In the past, as other people did in the village, Iberia and her family made a natural latrine by digging a hole in the back yard or just sitting at the riverbank. Keeping the house and neighbourhood area clean was also not part of their daily practice.

Cars’ parade around Lahewa tow. The parade displays examples and miniatures of water and sanitation facilities including semi-permanent latrine and water tank. Red Cross takes benefit from the International Year of Sanitation 2008 celebration to promote community healthier life in Nias Island, Indonesia.

Diseases

As a result, it was not surprising that the village was susceptible to diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria and dengue fever. “We were living in a very unhealthy life,” Iberia admits.

Changing people’s old behaviour in Lahewa was truly a challenge. Moreover, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with support from Canadian Red Cross, works alone to provide water and sanitation assistance in this area. The water and sanitation team must arrange intensive promotion and campaign activities to convince the villagers to improve their daily sanitation practices gradually. Almost 7,000 people have been reached by these programmes to date.

Children are in queue registering their selves to participate in hygiene competition in Lahewa, Nias Island.

Hygiene

“We engage the local community to keep them familiar with practical sanitation and hygiene topics,” says Biserka Pop Stefanija, the IFRC’s water and sanitation delegate in Lahewa.

In Lahewa, the community has been involved from the outset, with villagers voluntarily contributing materials during the construction phase. The Red Cross Red Crescent also provides them with training on operation and maintenance skills, so the community can maintain their new facilities.

Two kids participate in teeth brushing competition in Lahewa, Nias Island. Besides having fun, children also learn about how to keep their body and environment clean and healthy

“In the past, people in Lahewa knew nothing about family sanitation, but now they start to recognise its urgency,” says Yamo Arota Hulu, the secretary of Lahewa Head of Sub-District.

The IFRC has been working on water and sanitation in Lahewa, Nias since 2005. According to United Nations data, approximately 2.6 billion people in the world have no access to clean water and proper sanitation.

People in Lahewa, Nias enjoy the film screening that delivering family health and hygienic messages.

Yanti

She is Sumaryanti. Call her Yanti. I met her two weeks ago at Erasmus Huis, Kuningan Jakarta in the launching of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) book: Stories of Hope: Back Alive. This book contains 29 stories of disable people who received psychosocial support from PMI.

Yanti came from Yogyakarta with Kartini, a PMI’s psychosocial support programme (PSP) volunteer. “We just arrived last night, I’m actually still tired,” she admitted. But Yanti couldn’t hide her enthusiasm about the event. PMI invited Yanti to share her experience as a survivor from the disaster and how she accepted the condition she couldn’t avoid.

Yanti, accompanied by Kartini, is sharing her experiences

Before the Yogyakarta earthquake, Yanti worked as a salesgirl at Malioboro mall, Yogyakarta city. But the disaster has changed everything. Her spinal injury left her wheelchair-bound. As Yanti told in the book, in the beginning she used to cry a lot about her misfortune. “It took one year for me to recover my spirit,” Yanti remembered. Tear drops falling from her eyes.

PMI through its psychosocial support programme –supported by the Netherland Red Cross- provided assistance to help start disabled people’s live over and to self sustaining. Yanti was one of them. After attending meetings with other disabled people, she rediscovered her enthusiasm for life.

Signing the cover of Stories of Hope book

During group activities, PMI volunteers in provided her with suggestion on producing various small saleable items, such as key chains. Yanti was lucky because she studied dressmaking in high school, so she decided to start producing sewn souvenirs. She also runs a small business selling credit vouchers for mobile phones at her home.

“I hope other disabled people like me in Yogya could also receive the same support from PMI,” Yanti said.

Me vs Liver: 0-1 (final score)

Last week was really a nightmare for me. Since 1990, I have never been hospitalized for any health problems. But last Monday, I was finally defeated by the disease and was hospitalized for three days at Karya Bakti Hospital, Bogor.

Initial diagnosis: hepatitis. Really frightened me. The result later showed it was not. But as doctor said: "You have problem with your liver. Not too serious, but you must be careful from now," doctor warned.

So, now I'm back to work. But this will always haunt me. I understand now how valuable the healthy is (when you're sick).

Total in three days:
intravenous infusion fluid = 9 bottles; anti vomit fluid = 6 sacks

The sweet of joyfulness

When I was kid, it’s easy to find street vendors who sell sugarcane juice in Medan, North Sumatra. They are very unique sellers who bring a manual or diesel-powered sugarcane extractor. This usually consists of two steel cylinders placed side by side. Each cylinder rolls to opposite ways and when you pushing a bar of sugarcane between the rollers, the bar will be crushed, resulting an unique and attractive-looked juice. It could be repeated several times until you’re sure that the bar is totally dry and no more resulting extract. You don’t need to add any sweeten as the juice already has a perfect sweet taste.

A street vendor sells sugarcane juice in a corner of city of Jambi

Guess what, I found this sugarcane juice vendor during walking around city of Jambi. Surprise! All memories suddenly opened in front my eyes. It’s been long time not tasting the special juice like I did in the past.

So, I left my mom –who’s busy with shopping with my sister and my wife looking for local batik clothes- to visit the vendor’s little kiosk. Dozens of sugar cane bars orderly arranged in transparent glass box. The juice price is quite cheap, only IDR 2,000 (USD 22 cent) per cup.

Sugarcane bars ready for extracted

Now it’s the show time. The vendor turned on her extractor machine and started to crush the sugar cane bars one by one. Different with what I saw 30 years ago, this juice colour is greenish instead brownish. “It’s because the different kind of sugarcane,” said Ridho, friend of my brother who joint with us in the travelling. Only three bars of sugar cane needed to get a full glass of juice before I tasted it later and….

BUZZ....

A glass of greenish sugarcane juice

It was a moment of truth, an unbelievable experience. A feeling that had been forgotten for long time finally came again. The juice is really fresh with a light sweet taste and good smell.

My brothers and Ridho might saw a flash of joyfulness in my eyes caused by such exciting experience. I successfully provoked them to also ordered the same drink as I did :)

And the sugar ane juice party just began in that sunny afternoon; at a small kiosk in city of Jambi.

The sugarcane, that tasted good
The cinnamon, that Hollywood
Come on, come on…
(Michael Stipe, R.E.M: Imitation of Life)

To Jambi with Love

What is the meaning of tradition for me? I don’t know how to explain that. But let me tell this story. I spent my four days leave two weeks ago by visiting Jambi in Sumatra. Well, it was a perfect combination between family duty and vacation, actually. My brother Iin phoned me three months ago, happily announced that he is going to marry his girlfriend. Good for him.

And following our tradition, the wedding ceremony would take place in Jambi where the bride’s family lives. From Medan, North Sumatra my mom came along with my eldest sister, while Iwan, my youngest brother, joined us from Jakarta as well. We met each other in Cengkareng airport before then had a same flight to Jambi.

Just arriving at Sultan Thaha airport

Jambi is a small provincial city. It is more like city in many districts in Java Island. I have been visited the province for couple times. One of them, I remember, in 1997 when I covered the daily life of Anak Dalam tribe, an indigenous people who lives in Bukit Dua Belas natural reserve area.

‘Cultural apostasy’

Before arriving in Jambi, I had my own anxiety. The bride family had decided to undertake the wedding ceremony using Bataknese traditional procession. As an eldest one from three of my mom’s son, it seemed that I should represent my family during that process. I had been done the assignment previously when officially asked the bride’s family to discuss this wedding plan.

Unluckily, I’m not a Bataknese. From people who come from southern Tapanuli like us, we prefer call ourselves as Mandailing people. Mandailing culture – as far as I know – has much difference with Batak’s (from northern, Simalungun, or Tanah Karo). But even in my own Mandailing culture, I am not a good example to follow. I can’t speak Mandailing language (I understand when they talking but can’t communicate using the language); I don’t have any knowledge about the traditional procedure. I – and all my siblings-- don’t formally use our family name as Bataknese or Mandailing used to. “You are ’an apostate’ from your culture,” some of my friends teased me. Well, I can’t blame them on their accusation.

Saved by the uncle

Hurrah! Good news just coming. My mom said that they bring my uncle from Medan to accompany us in Jambi. He knows everything about traditional process. He’s an expert in both Batak and Mandailing language. And he was also happy to go with us. I felt suddenly half of burden on my shoulders had lifted.

Formal Islamic wedding process

Still, it’s really tiring four days. Just couple hours after arriving, we must met a group of Mandailing community leaders who will accompany us in the wedding process. Then met with the bride family and prepared everything needed before the D-day. I must thank to my uncle. He’s the saviour. He knows how to handle the situation.

Everything went well. The wedding day successfully held in the Saturday morning. And then, the heaviest part came: the traditional ceremony process.

Bullhead and dancing

More than 700 invitees seriously watched the process. The ceremony started with several steps of conversation between the representative of bride family and ours. Then there was symbolic gift from both sides as a mark that now two families united. From our side, we gave them a big bullhead. What a gift! I didn’t know about this before. None told me. All members from our side and theirs touched the plate where the bullhead placed on, followed by pray and hope to strengthen the new family binding. They give us back a gift: a full big plate of carp fish. In Batak tradition, carp fish (Cyprinus carpio) is kind of food which served to express our respect to someone.

Bullhead as symbol of respect and unity

Carp fish as gift from the bride's family for us

Next step was dancing and giving ulos (hand made ornamental cloth) to the new couple. Ulos is also a symbol of respect from someone to another. Each family came with their own ulos. I counted that my brother received not less than 300 ulos. They gave the cloth preceded by speech and pray, then dancing (manortor). As the blessed family, we guarded the couple and should accompany them to dance too. Surprisingly, they called my name to receive the honour. Together with my wife, we got a very beautiful ulos, and my wife really like it. She wore the ulos for the rest of wedding day. Besides me, they also gave ulos to my mom, my sister and her husband, and my uncle.

The new couple receives ulos from all families

Me and my wife also receive ulos

Detail of an ulos. Beautiful isn't it?

Totally we spent all day long to undertake the procession and ceremony. Really tired. But I’m happy, after all everything is well done. I must thank to my new sister in law’s family who has given me opportunity to feel and to do as the Bataknese through the ceremony.

May 1998

Middle of April, ten years ago at Salemba. My friend Latief Siregar (now he is a TV news producer for TPI-Jakarta) and I, along with several journalists sat down on the university’s fence, watching hundreds of yellow jacketed- students protested to the government. “Down, down, Soeharto...” their choir echoed in that dry-weather day. In front of them, only separated by gate, hundreds polices were ready to wait for the students. Anything could be happened.

“Do you think their movement will be successful?” Latief asked me. I never thought he asked me like that. How come? Although protests and demos took place every day since January, there was no sign at all that Soeharto’s power weakened.

“Uh, no way,” I said. Latief smiled and nodded, agreed with my answer. Other journalists who listened to our conversation also expressed the same agreement.

May 1998 (AP)

A month later we knew we were totally wrong. The situation suddenly became worse, reached its first culmination when four Trisakti University students shot in their campus by mysterious snipers, 12 May 1998. In the next day, during the funeral procession of Trisakti students, some journalists –including me- were trapped in the clash between unidentified mass and police or army in front of the university.

Army handling a looting in the May 1998 riot (pic: Tempo Interactive)

Two days later, Jakarta knocked over by riots; the worst riot ever had in Indonesia history. Lootings occurred everywhere. Many reports came to our news room, informed that hundred people died in burnt malls and department stores. I remember, when watching Jakarta from flyover at Slipi, black smokes seen in many spots of Jakarta area.

Our editorial management decided to close our news rooms and temporarily moved it into President Hotel (now becomes Nikko Hotel). We work from the hotel for three days. All of us stayed at hotel. I couldn’t go home to Bogor because the road was unsafe.

Thousands students occupied the DPR building

Meanwhile, national political situation escalated so fast. Thousands students ‘invaded’ the house of representative building. They stayed there and urged the politician to decide a significant political step regarding people’s demand: Soeharto must step down.

And on 21 May, after 32 years led this country, Soeharto announced he stepped down from the presidential seat. None predicted it before. Indonesia entering what people call as the reform era, replaced the 30 year of new era (Orde Baru) .

It's been ten years now from 1998 moment. Many things happened, many thing have changed. Some of them better, some become worse. For me, this is time for my country, for all of us, to rethink our aim and ways to reach the welfare. The welfare by empowering people, not exploiting them.

I think this is the time. (ah)

PS: government just announced the increase of fuel price last Friday (pic: indonesiasatu.com)

Are you happy now?

In Memoriam: Edi Sis

Last weekend came with a very sad news. My friend Bahtiar Fitanto from Malang phoned me and informed: “Edi Sis has passed away…, traffic accident in Pasuruan.”

I was shocked. Speechless.

New friend, old friend

I know Edi Sis well during my two years service at USAID-LGSP (Local Governance Support Program). We are in different office. I work at Jakarta national office while Edi is under East Java regional office management as district coordinator for Probolinggo. I met him in several trainings for district coordinators –included communication and public relations training-- where I also involved as a facilitator. It didn’t take long time to make us a good friend. We feel like two old friends.

Edi (centre) and I interviewed Gus Dudung, 2007

He has high interest in improving his writing skill. When East Java office asked us for further training, February 2007, I met him again. Along with all regional office staff, Edi learned how to writing and taking photograph better. And he had proved that it’s useful. That was Edi, who with Bahtiar sent us our first lessons learned story about participatory planning.

We had good time together especially when we visited Probolinggo for about three days to see the progress of LGSP programs. Edi accompanied us to met with several people included the chairman of local house of representatives, head of planning development agency, NGO leaders and small-medium enterprises (SME). During the visit, I realised how he really mastering his work. Edi has close relationship with all local persons, a good lobbyist as well. He easily arranged personal meeting for us with the chairman and head of planning agency. The unforgettable moment was when he brought us to Pesantren Zainul Hasan, Genggong-Pajarakan where the leader, M. Baidhuri Faisal a.k.a Gus Dudung welcomed us warmly. We interviewed Gus Dudung about participatory planning approach that has been implemented in his school.

We also spent several hours to visit Mt. Bromo (2,392 metres above the sea level). In the early morning, we ride horse in the middle of sand oceans then enthusiastically climbed Bromo while in the right side the Mt Batok (2,440 metres height) watched us. I short word, we really enjoyed the time.

With team at Mt. Bromo. A great memory with Edi (left)

Another thing made us closer was that Edi can speak Sundanese language as his wife is from West Java. Sometimes we talked in this local language; something made some of team members teased us. And I met him for the last time in good governance meeting in Batu, Malang, August 2007.

Life is too short for him, a good guy. But his wife along with two kids and all families must be proud of Edi. He leaves golden footprints behind. We’ll always remember him.

Good bye, Mas…

Cyclone Nargis Struck Myanmar

The category four Nargis cyclone struck west-southwest of Yangon City, Myanmar on Friday 2 May 2008. Wind exceeded 190 kph and the storm ripped through the delta city (estimation population 6 million) for more than ten hours until Saturday noon on 3 May. Reports from the International Federation’s delegation in Myanmar suggest extensive devastation across the affected region. In some affected villages along the Irrawaddy river delta, 95 per cent of houses have been destroyed. Whilst in Yangon, access to running water and electricity has been severely limited. Homes were flattened, more sturdy structures damages, tress uprooted and power lines downed.

The scale of destruction and loss is massive; casualty figures are still rising with reported number (per 6 May 2008): 22,000 dead, 41,000 missing and millions affected.

The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), with International Federation support, has been active in in-country coordination mechanism. On 5 May, the Red Cross took part in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) where the activation of the cluster system was discussed.

I got info that the one of Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) staff has departured for Bangkok yesterday (8 May) as part of Federation’s RDRT (regional disaster response team) member to enter Myanmar as soon as possible. Along with him are three members from Singapore Red Cross and Philippines RC. In Jakarta, PMI national headquarter has prepared 10 members in their list to be deployed anytime needed.

International Federation has released CHF 200,000 (USD 190,000 or EUR 123,000) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in undertaking immediate assessments of affected areas and distribution of relief items (i.e. cooking utensil, hygiene items, emergency shelters).

On 6 May, International Federation released preliminary emergency appeal to seek CHF 6,290,909 (USD 5,9 million or EUR 3,86 million) in cash, kind, or services in response to request for support MRCS to assist more than 30,000 families for 6 months.

The value of 8,000 rupiah

It was about 7 o’clock in the Monday evening last week. I was in public bus queuing its turn to depart for Bogor from Cawang, Jakarta. The bus was quite full with passengers -- most of them are like me, going home after a whole day work in Jakarta. I used to get express electric train from Cawang station but I was unlucky because the train left me behind. Truly my fault, I arrived a little bit late at the station.

So, I used bus to Bogor. While waiting, I tried to find something to read. A newspaper might entertain me and it’s easy to find street vendors selling newspaper, offering us --the passengers— newspapers and magazines. OK, I then bought Kompas Update. It’s a ‘pseudo-evening newspaper’ because it only has four pages of today’s news. The rest of it is yesterday’s. But with the price only 1,000 rupiah, it’s a good deal, anyway.

That was the moment when I saw a young boy. He is about 10-12 years old, I’m not sure. He brought a basket of mineral water bottles with him, came into the bus from front door. When he reached my seat, I asked him for a bottle of Aqua; 2,000 rupiah. His eyes turned brighter, and quickly gave me what I looked for.

I gave him 10,000 rupiah. I never thought that it’s a large denomination. But then I saw him struggling to find change money for me from his pockets. I felt he was a little bit nervous, knowing me, as his customer, waiting for the change.

“I’m really sorry you have to wait, Sir. But don’t worry, I have your change,” he smiled, shy. His face was flushed. “No, no hurry, take your time,” I replied. He found several worn out thousand rupiah notes and started counting. I clearly saw how he seemed really blessed with any purchase he got from passengers.

During that time, he told me what would the money for. “I must pay my final exam cost, Sir,” he said. He is now at the final year of primary school. With examination will take place next week, this young boy doesn’t want to burden his mother with money problem. He took chance selling the drinking waters from one to another bus.

I had a mix feeling in that moment. The young boy is struggling for his future, counting every cent to cover his need. Something touched my emotion was that this boy doing his job without any complaints. Suddenly I remembered an Andy Williams’s old song “Rain drops keep falling on my head”. “….Cause I’ll never gonna stop the rain by complainin’…”

“Take the change for you,” suddenly I said. He watched my eyes without blink. “Take the change. But you must promise to study hard at school. Agree?”

He quickly nodded. “I promise, I promise. Thank you very much, Sir” he said with a huge, huge smile. In the same time, driver’s assistant shouted to passengers, announced the bus was ready to go to Bogor. I saw the young boy jumped out from the bus, smiled to me, and jumped into another bus behind.

What an inspiring moment. I only gave that boy 8,000 rupiah but his eyes’ bright, smile and spirit told me how blessed he was with it. I hope he’ll be fine and pass his exam. I pray for him, from my deepest heart.

Learning to face the tidal wave

More than 2,500 people rush down the main street, running to save their lives as a five metre tidal wave looms large over their coastal community. Early warning sirens blare and dozens of women and children cry and yell in confusion. Many in the panicked crowd shoulder the valued household items they could grab before wave rushed through their homes. Forty five people died and hundreds more were injured.

The good news is that this nightmare scenario is just a part of emergency simulation scenario organized by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and local authorities in the last week of February. In all 2,500 people enthusiastically took part in the simulation, which was supported by German Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

For people in Muara Baru, a small suburb in Jakarta’s north, this was their first exposure to disaster preparedness. “I trembled by imagining this was a real disaster,” said Suwarsih, 40, who voluntarily participated in the event alongside 30 of her neighbours.

Rising sea levels are a very serious problem for people living in this part of Indonesia’s sprawling capital, particularly in the last six months. As a consequence, residents are increasingly vulnerable to tidal surges and waves. According to Suwarsih the high tide has been flooding her house more often in recent times. “My house was inundated up to this level,” she explained, pointing to her waist.

Though she hopes that her community never has to face a disaster on this scale, Suwarsih appreciated the simulation exercise. “If it happened, at least now I know from the simulation how to save my family’s life,” she said.

For PMI and other institutions the simulation was also a good way to measure their own capacity to deal with a disaster of this size. “We understand from the simulation that several aspects such as communication and coordination still need to improve, but that’s why we conduct this,” said Jeong Park, a disaster management delegate for the International Federation in Indonesia.

The simulation demonstrated the importance of different organizations working together to handle such a crisis. PMI quick response units (known locally as SATGANA) and community based action teams were immediately deployed to the mock disaster zone and emergency health clinics were quickly established to help those with serious injuries.

Local authorities, working closely with PMI, erected tents and a field kitchen for the survivors. PMI volunteers offered psychosocial support for children and set up systems to help people report and find lost family members.

“This emergency drill was useful for both the government and the community to test their readiness when the real disaster comes,” said Jakarta’s vice governor, Prijanto, who closely followed the simulation. Prijanto emphasized that coordination among institutions is key for everyone involved in disaster management. He also acknowledged the important role of the Red Cross.

“(They are) always in front to provide help in any disaster that occurs in Jakarta,” he said.

Update: Earthquake shocked Simeulue

Here is what I got from Disaster Management Information System (DMIS) and friends within International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Indonesia Delegation:

A strong earthquake shocked Aceh yesterday, 20 February 2008. The Meteorology and Geophysical Agency (BMG) said the quake had magnitude 6.6 SR (they revised later to 7.6) in location 2.58N, 95.99E at 03.08 PM Local Time in depth 37 kilometres. The first earthquake then followed by at least another two aftershocks in the same location with magnitude 5.5 and 5.3 SR. There is no tsunami warning but people are still worried, make some of them prefer to stay in the higher area.

According data from health department there were 3 elder people died and 25 people injured in Sinabang. Based on their local wisdom if they felt a strong shake automatically they will running to the higher land to see water sea level.

Also reported that electricity in the area was cut down and cellular phone signal was interrupted. Only fixed phone well functioned in this area. Many buildings damaged and collapsed but there are no fix number related with this until this morning.

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) had deployed 50 local volunteers in Sinabang to the location. PMI patrolled to some subdistricts to observe the conditions. They have been evacuating the injured people to the nearest health facilities. PMI keep 24 hours monitoring unit to update the situation. (ah)

A Tribute to Bersihar Lubis

I read from a newspaper couple days ago that Bersihar Lubis’ case in Depok court will be decided by judge next week, 20 February. For you who don’t know him yet, Bersihar is an ex-Tempo, Gatra,GAMMA and MEDIUM news magazine editor.

The story began last year when he wrote an op-ed at Koran Tempo daily, criticised Attorney General’s order to withdrawal history books for students regarding its ignorance in not explaining the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) role in 30 September coup d’etat 1965 (this is honestly a part of national history that still mysterious down to date).

So, here is the problem. Bersihar wrote his op-ed with title “the Story of a Dumb Interrogator” (Kisah Interogrator yang Dungu). He said a word “dumb” to explain attorney general’s reckless action on the book withdrawal. The “dumb” word itself is not originally come from him, actually. He just quoted it from Joesoef Ishak, the owner of Hasta Mitra publishing house, who published some Pramoedya Ananta Toer's books (and later the books were banned by Attorney General) when he interviewed by MEDIUM magazine once time.

As the result, Attorney General sued Bersihar, said that the op-ed has insulted the attorney general. They brought this case to the court and placed Bersihar as the accused.

From Gatra to Gamma

I worked with him for several years. He was one of my mentor in journalism and someone who teach me day by day during that period about how to be a good writer (and journalist).

I met him for the first time in 1995 when I joined Gatra national weekly news magazine. Bang (Elder Brother) Ber, that’s what people used to call him, just moved from Medan to Jakarta. Maybe because we come from the same city so it’s not hard to build a good relationship even though it was between senior and junior journalist.

“Young brother, a writer is like a story teller,” he preached me, during our deadline nights. “The difference is about the medium. As a writer you type your words while as a story teller you utter them. Another difference is that as a writer you must tell the truth, reality…”

He likes detail and rich facts from his reporters, so he can explore and use those all in his stories. I remember we wrote analysis on Soeharto’s fall in 1998 for cover story. We interviewed William Liddle, a professor and Indonesianist from Ohio State Universtiy, Columbus. Two days before New Year 1999, we moved together from Gatra to GAMMA magazine along with some other colleagues.

Work, Debate, Hang Out

But, you know, in our work, I didn’t always agree with him on some principles and issues. So sometimes we had hot debates when selecting some critical issues for articles or cover stories. It’s really hot debates. But after that, everything back to the normal again.

The good thing was that outside of work we have a place to hang out together: a small outdoor sport equipment shop in Kalibata managed by my friend Bambang Hamid Sujatmoko a.k.a. Abeng. This guy is a senior reporter and member of Wanadri Mountain Climber Club, Bandung (now he works for Metro TV). After all day work and deadline, those discussions became good catharsis for us. We spent much time there, accompanied by cups of tea and coffee, talking various topics from politic to sport, from family problems to office politicking.

After I resigned from the magazine, I visited him several times at his new office at Kemang. But after that, we never meet again, until then I heard his case. I sent him short message, gave my full support for his legal process. “Thanks, let’s plan to meet again with some friends,” he replied.

Nobody knows yet what the decision will be taken by judge. However, lot of supports came to him since the case revealed in media. I think all journalists and writers, including me, clearly stand up along him. Bringing a writer to the court because his/her opinion (and nothing wrong with the opinion) is believed will threat people to speak out their mind in this republic. (ah)

The Elements of Journalism

Here are the nine elements of journalism explained by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel (“The Element of Journalism, 2001). Just for a reminder for those who work in journalism field.

1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
2. Its first loyalty is to the citizens
3. Its essence is discipline of verification.
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting, and relevant.
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.

(ah)

Indonesia: from zero to heroes

In Nias Island, an Indonesian Red Cross initiative has mobilized and trained more than 800 new volunteers in just ten months.

When a community based first aid programme was launched on the Indonesian island of Nias in March 2007, there was little indication that it would go on to be a major Red Cross success story.

“At the beginning, there were no volunteers – so we had to start the programme completely from scratch,” said Indonesian Red Cross Society (PMI) health officer Mariani Gulo, who worked with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to develop the programme.

Today, more than 800 community-based volunteers are teaching first aid in 39 villages across the island, reaching people in need in even the remotest communities.

It’s a remarkable achievement for the PMI and the International Federation, given the remoteness of the island. Nias faced a number of challenges even before it was hit by the December 2004 tsunami and then devastated by the March 2005 earthquake that killed around 800 people and made tens of thousands homeless.

Thousands of families in remote villages were enduring daily health problems because they were unable to reach the island’s hospital or local medical centre. This situation led PMI and the International Federation to launch a community based first aid programme in several areas, to empower local people to respond to daily emergencies where health professionals are absent or overworked.

To deliver the programme and ensure that it was sustainable, PMI and the International Federation began to recruit volunteers in Nias, including some who had been inactive because there had not been any suitable activities for them to participate in. Initially, only five volunteers were available, although this soon increased to 35.

PMI and the International Federation then ensured that all the volunteers were trained to national standards and understood the nature of the voluntary work they would be doing.

Rising to the challenge

Once the volunteers were trained up, community leaders were invited to select new potential first-aiders from each of the 39 villages targeted by the new programme.

The location of many of these villages proved a fresh challenge. In many cases, it took volunteers nearly four hours to reach settlements that were inaccessible even by motorcycle.

To avoid wasting time and energy, PMI and the International Federation decided that all volunteers must stay for three days in a targeted area to deliver modules for village volunteers and to arrange activities in the community.

This decision has been greeted with warmth and appreciation by the villagers, who have expressed their gratitude to the volunteers who have travelled so far and given up so much of their time.

Follow their schedule, not ours

Community based first aid volunteers must complete a minimum of 52 hours of training. However, as most villagers are farmers and local traders with community obligations, this tight schedule wouldn’t work for them.

So a new approach was developed to suit the community. First, the training module was split into six parts and was delivered gradually. Each module consists of specific topics such as vector diseases like malaria and dengue fever; diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor hygiene conditions; nutrition and first aid. These, combined with disaster preparedness and disaster response topics, will encourage the formation of community based action teams and can then be used in emergency situations. The volunteers also received an induction on PMI and its work, and on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Fundamental Principles.

“We follow the villagers’ schedule as closely as we can, as long as we both agree,” said Dr Eka Airlangga, the International Federation’s health programme manager in Nias.

This flexibility allowed some first aid topics to be taught during community church services. Dr Airlangga added that the first aid trainers also used events important to the local culture, such as Maena (a community gathering with singing and dancing), to carry out training. Volunteers also organized a competition and provided a health message, which was then adapted into lyrics by village dance and singing groups.

To maintain the village volunteers’ capacity, they are regularly involved in first aid trainings held for selected audiences including primary school students, teachers, and senior citizens.

From zero to hundreds

Then programme has achieved a great deal in the ten months since its launch.

“The good news is that the training the volunteers have received is at the same level as the PMI standard – and in some cases even higher,” said Dr Jeyathesan Kulasingam, an International Federation health delegate with the Aceh tsunami operation.

The villagers are feeling the benefits most of all. When Nias was hit by a diarrhoea outbreak last summer, the villages supported by the community based first aid programme suffered less than others.

“In many cases, we can now save the money we used to spend travelling to the city hospital,” said Faolozisokhi Zega, a volunteer coordinator from Lolo’ana’a lolomoyo village in Gunung Sitoli Utara sub district. More important, he added, the villagers can now respond quickly and effectively if a family member or neighbour falls ill or has an accident. (ah, published at www.ifrc.org)

Yang telah Selesai

Tiga hari penuh berita bertaburan tentang perginya seorang tokoh besar. Entah dia sebagai pahlawan besar, atau sebagai penjahat besar, itu soal lain. Hidupnya bak dua mata pisau yang agaknya sama tajamnya. Jadi, kalau banyak orang bertengkar soal itu, tak mengherankan.

Yang jelas, tahu-tahu saja jadi ingat sebuah puisi yang dimusikalisasi oleh penyair sekaligus musisi, Abdul Gafar Abdullah alias Ebiet G. Ade. Kalau tak salah tahun 1982 dalam album "Langkah Berikutnya" (jadul banget bukan gue?). Sepertinya cocok. Kebetulan pula lagunya ada di Samsung MP3 player saya. Ya sudah, sambil berdiri terselip di antara penumpang KRL Eksekutif, puisi ini saya dengarkan. Mau ikut menikmati. Monggo....

Yang telah Selesai

Jangankan untuk berpikir

sedang mendengar pun enggan

Jeritan pilu lewat bagai angin

Jantungnya telah membeku

Lupa segala-galanya

tak merah tak juga jingga

Rintihan kelu tak ubah nyanyian

Ibanya telah membatu

Semakin hari semakin tak peduli

semua harapan tlah pupus

Matanya kosong

Sinarnya binasa

Bibirnya rapat

terkunci

Dia bukan milik kita lagi

terselubung dalam sepi

Masa lalunya begitu gelap

Benturan demi benturan

begitu berat menekan

Jangankan untuk menyapa

sedang menoleh pun enggan

Lampu jalanan pun perlahan padam

dia hanya pantas dikenang

Sekali waktu terbangun

Nafasnya tersendat-sendat

sumpah serapah yang ia gumamkan

"Dia hanya pantas dikenang..."