SURABAYA, EAST JAVA — Every journey always brings its own challenges, especially in the midst of limitations that restrict steps. Although sometimes it feels hard, every obstacle holds wisdom waiting to be discovered.
Struggling in the midst of limitations is how to never give up, even though the storms come without pause. It is how small steps continue to be taken, even though the road is full of thorns. Such is the struggle of Sodiq (72) and Musrifah (63) who live in a small house on the edge of the Surabaya-Gempol toll road.
In the midst of limitations, they never lose hope. Sodiq, as one of the beneficiaries of the Fidyah Program from Dompet Dhuafa, lives his daily life by managing a simple laundry business manually in his house. A small business that is the source of their livelihood.
While Musrifah, who has suffered from permanent visual impairment for the past 13 years, faithfully accompanies her husband’s days. Her condition makes Sodiq reluctant to leave her for too long, illustrating the love and loyalty between them.
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“When I go out, my mother always waits for me in front of the house,” explained Sodiq.
“I’m afraid that I’ll be alone inside,” Musrifah continued.
Sodiq and Musrifah have one child who is married and lives in another city. Despite the distance, their son and two grandchildren, one of whom is already in high school, often visit them, especially during weekends or school vacations. The presence of this small family always brings happiness to the elderly couple.
Mr. Sodiq’s business does not always have customers, so their daily income is often insufficient to meet their needs. When there is no income, they rely on food aid from neighbors or Warung Gratis Surabaya, which helps them in times of trouble.
On Thursday (11/21/2024), Dompet Dhuafa distributed fidyah from Shopee Indonesia customers in the Karah area, Jambangan District, Surabaya. A total of 360 fidyah packages were distributed to beneficiaries, which contained ready-to-eat food and rice, with the main point of distribution at Warung Gratis Surabaya. Some packages were also directly delivered to recipients’ homes around the Warung.
Warung Gratis Surabaya was the meeting point between Sodiq and Musrifah and Dompet Dhuafa. Warung Gratis Surabaya is a program of Dompet Dhuafa East Java that began as a program to provide free lunch every Friday (known as Jumat Berkah), and eventually this good initiative became a sustainable activity with the concept of “Warung” which provides free food.
“Alhamdulillah, Mas, getting help like this has really helped,” said Musrifah emotionally.
They hope that Dompet Dhuafa and donors can continue to expand the reach of assistance, so that more poor and those in need can benefit.
“Hopefully it will be smoother in spreading kindness and more benefits can be helped to people like us,” hoped Sodiq.
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The fidyah distribution program from Shopee was carried out with great blessings at Warung Gratis Surabaya, most of the beneficiaries were underprivileged families, such as street vendors, online motorcycle taxis, street sweepers, parking attendants, and pedicab drivers. In the future, Dompet Dhuafa hopes to continue providing assistance through other programs at Warung Gratis Surabaya.
In addition to Sodiq and Musrifah, this assistance was also felt by Wiji (56 years), for Wiji and many other beneficiaries, this fidyah package is not just assistance, but also a hope and a reminder that they are not alone in their life struggles.
“Alhamdulillah, this fidyah package really helps my family. I am very grateful and thankful to Shopee and all those who care about us,” she said with teary eyes.
Read also: The Group of People Who Can Pay Fidyah to Replace Ramadan Fasting
Agus Triabudi Waloyo as Coordinator of the Dompet Dhuafa East Java Distribution Program revealed that this fidyah distribution program is clear evidence that good collaboration can have a big impact on society.
“Alhamdulillah, Shopee and Dompet Dhuafa continue to be committed to running social care-based programs that directly touch the needs of the community. With the support of volunteers who work enthusiastically, the distribution of packages is carried out directly to ensure that the assistance reaches the right hands. Hopefully, initiatives like this will not only bring blessings to those in need but also inspire us all to continue sharing and helping others. Together, we can make this world a better place for all,” said Agus. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Anndini Dwi Putri, Jamaludin
Editor: Dhika