MADIUN, EAST JAVA — That morning, Tuesday (24/09/2024), the sunlight fell on the forehead slowly, a sign that the time had touched nine o’clock. In a field in front of the Ali Imron Islamic Boarding School Foundation Hall Sembilan Sembilan, RT 14 RW 05 Ketawang Village, Dolopo District, people began to arrive. Some of them were middle-aged with wrinkles that began to adorn their faces. Others wore kebaya and traditional cloths.
A total of 114 orphans and poor people gathered there to receive 174 food aid packages from Kitabisa, Dompet Dhuafa’s digital partner. Marmiatun was one of them, a 54-year-old middle-aged woman. With slow but hopeful steps, Marmiatun hurried to the hall which was the center of the distribution of basic food assistance.
Upon his arrival, he saw a pile of groceries consisting of cooking oil, rice, and several other basic necessities. Behind the frown lines on her face, there was deep gratitude. Marmiatun, a housewife, depends on her husband’s work as a farm laborer for her livelihood.
The fate of farm laborers depends on work; when there is, sustenance flows, but when there is none, pockets are empty. When there is work, her husband only earns Rp50,000 a day.
“If there is work, I work, if not, that’s enough. I don’t go anywhere if there’s no work, which means I’m unemployed,” explained Marmiatun.
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From the money her husband gives her, Marmiatun can buy up to five kilograms of rice. However, if there is no work, she can only buy one or two kilograms, enough to last a day.
The dry season makes work scarce, in contrast to the rainy season which brings more opportunities. But now, he is unemployed more often than not. In simplicity, the money that comes is always prioritized for survival, filling the dining table with simple vegetables and rice.
Not only does she depend on her husband’s income. She also struggles to find odd jobs to support her family. If there is work, she immediately gets involved, otherwise she resigns herself to waiting at home. Occasionally, she helps out at grocery stores, weighing and packing rice flour. Although simple, every effort she makes is a small effort to ensure that the kitchen continues to burn and her family does not lack.
“Sometimes I also look for neighbors, offering myself usually to neighbors who have stalls that need my labor, ready to be called,” she added.
In the past, when Marmiatun’s children were still in school, she often received assistance that eased her burden. Rice and other necessities came from the village and school, helping her family survive in difficult times.
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For Marmiatun, the basic food distributed by Dompet Dhuafa is not just food, but hope that can sustain her for the next month. In the midst of frequent economic difficulties, this assistance is like a breath of fresh air that he is looking forward to.
“Alhamdulillah, I’m grateful that I already got 5 kilos of rice, so I can use it for 5 days. If it’s oil, it will last for two weeks, that’s about the estimate. Alhamdulillah, it can last for a few days, like one month, so I have some savings,” said Marmiatun, smiling while looking at the pile of groceries.
As she lifted the bag of groceries, it felt as if she was lifting the burden of life a little lighter. She feels happy not only because she can temporarily fulfill her needs, but because she feels that she is not alone in facing life’s challenges. There is a glimmer of hope that goodness is still felt, even though life is full of simplicity, he can continue to survive and fill his days with gratitude.
“Thank you very much for getting help from Dompet Dhuafa, hopefully if you get it again, you will be grateful, if not, you will find it yourself,” said Marmiatun, innocently.
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When Marmiatun walked home, she didn’t just bring groceries. She brought home peace and the belief that at the end of every difficulty, there are always caring hands. The sun burns her aging skin, but it does not dampen her spirit to remain grateful and strive.
Marmiatun, with all her limitations, managed to send her two children to high school. Now, her children are working and starting to help ease their mother’s burden. For Marmiatun, seeing her children independent is the greatest achievement, a hope that is now realized after years of tireless struggle. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Dhika