NORTH SULAWESI — In the midst of difficult conditions, an inspiring story came from Nirmawati Rabuka (43), a woman who survived the eruption of Mount Ruang. Nirmawati comes from Tagulandang Island, Balehumara Village, Tagulandang Sub-District, Siau Tagulandang Biaro Regency (Sitaro), North Sulawesi Province.
With all her heart, Nirmawati dedicates herself to helping others by volunteering at Dompet Dhuafa’s Disaster Management Center (DMC) Public Kitchen located in the Al-Hidayah Tagulandang Mosque area, Balehumara Village. Every day, she is a housewife who sells clothes in the market. Nirmawati has been in the trading profession for approximately 20 years. She admitted that she has experienced the ups and downs of selling.
Her trading journey began when she opened a grocery store, then she switched to selling clothes after migrating to Papua for five years.
“When I got married, (I counted on helping my husband) selling at the market. The initial capital from selling groceries for so many years and migrating to Papua, looking for capital to return, then selling clothes,” said Nirmawati trying to remember on Thursday (9/5/2024).
Unfortunately, an unexpected event happened to him. He is currently temporarily unable to continue his work because his residence on Tagulandang Island has been affected by the eruption of Mount Ruang since Tuesday (4/14/2024). As a result, most activities are paralyzed, with only a few continuing their daily activities.
“To be honest, after the eruption, we have no income. So, we just sit and wait for help to come. There is sadness, but we should be grateful for what we have, maybe this is a test,” he said.
This then makes Tagulandang Island quiet and desolate. Indeed, in the morning and afternoon, some survivors return home to clean and farm, but that is only a handful of people. When night falls, survivors return to the evacuation post, which is located far from the mainland and in the range of the eruption of Mount Ruang.
“There is indeed fear, considering the appearance of the fire and the rain of rocks. Inshallah, it will only erupt once (last). Allah will protect me, Allah will help me. That is my only strength,” she prayed.
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Currently, Nirmawati is staying at her relative’s house in Balehumara Village. According to her, it is difficult to go and stay at the evacuation post. Her cousin and elderly parents are still with her. So it makes him feel a little uncomfortable when he has to join the evacuation camp.
“The first time the eruption happened, we evacuated to a highland village, precisely in a neighbor’s salak garden. We cooked and lived there, because we couldn’t go back home, to sleep, etc. because it was leaking, we couldn’t move at all. That’s why people only come in the morning and evening to their houses to see the mountain and recharge their cellphones, and then go back to the evacuation site,” explained Nirmawati, recounting the conditions during the early days of the eruption.
According to her, a significant difference before and after the eruption of Mount Ruang is the atmosphere on the island. If every morning is crowded and can greet each other with other people, this time only a handful of people are seen.
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Currently, Nirmawati volunteers at Dompet Dhuafa’s DMC Public Kitchen located in Baluhemara Village. At first, this Public Kitchen was only filled with husbands / men. But now, with the addition of Mrs. Nirmawati and others, the Public Kitchen has become more alive.
“Initially, I was sorry to see my husband and other men cooking, so I joined the kitchen. Alhamdulillah, it gives me happiness to be able to help here, as well as monitor the condition of the mountain. Like before, when I had not joined the Public Kitchen, there were volunteers who came to deliver food for me and my family, this time it was my turn to help,” said Nirmawati aloud.
Nirmawati hopes that this condition will pass quickly, so that the community can resume their activities and the village will once again become a lively and bustling area.
“Hopefully our activities can return again, those who evacuate in Manado or Bitung or return home where, can return so that we here can gather and bustle Tagulandang again,” he concluded. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Arifian Fajar Putera, Riza Muthohar
Photo: Arifian Fajar Putera
Editors: Dhika Prabowo, Ronna