By Mohamad Faisol Amrullah | Project Leader
Dear Global Giving Donors,
Aksi Cepat Tanggap have been continues to support Sunda Strait victims since the emergency programs implemented. Aksi Cepat Tanggap have been working on fisherman boat to help the victims.
Every afternoon, at approximately 4 p.m., Maman of Bulakan Village, Serang Regency, Banten, used to go to the sea. Along with other fishermen, he went to the sea each afternoon to catch squids to be used as baits to catch the fish. The fishermen then spend the night catching the fish until 10 a.m.
“At night, we usually catch some squids and fish too, but we mainly catch fish after midnight until morning. We spend each night at the sea. By 10 a.m., we usually have arrived in our homes. We then take a rest for the rest of the day. Our catch is usually bought by the middlemen and local villagers. That’s the daily routine of the fishermen here,” said Rohman.
However, it all changed when the tsunami happened in late December 2018. The massive wave that hit Sunda Strait destroyed the fishermen’s boats. Rohman could no longer go to the sea to support his family. It is too expensive for him to get a new boat.
“I had a bad feeling the night when the tsunami happened, so I decided to stay. I would not have predicted that a tsunami would happen. Other fishermen were far from the coast. They were not hit by the tsunami, as the wave hit the coastal area and everything near the beach, including our boats. Some boats went missing, some were damaged. My boat was among the damaged,” said Rohman.
For him, his boat and fishing tools are essential for his livelihood. Without them, he can’t go to the see and would have nothing to do for living.
Rohman’s life becomes more difficult after his boat was damaged. According to him, even when still regularly went to the sea to fish, he only earns a small and sometimes unpredictable earning. Sometimes he catches a lot of fish, other times he goes home empty-handed. Unable to go to the sea, Rohman is now an oddjobber, doing all he can to support his family.
“Now I only fish on the beach. Sometimes I farm others’ land. I am used to farming because I do it when I am unable to sail due to unfriendly weather. Now I have to farm because I have no boat,” said Rohman.
What Rohman and other fishermen wanted is a boat which they can use to make a living. Their wish was finally fulfilled when Aksi Cepat Tanggap and its partners handed over the boat aid for the tsunami-hit fishermen in Banten. Six fiberglass boats were handed over to the fishermen on Wednesday (3/5). In unison with the handover ceremony, the Boat Waqf program was also launched by Global Wakaf.
“Alhamdulillah, I am very grateful for the aid. It is extremely helpful because the boat is all we need to go back fishing. Hopefully, this aid can revive the economy of the fishermen in Bulakan Village,” said Rohman.
Maman Rohman is just one of the beneficiaries of this aid program. Insha Allah, ACT and Global Wakaf will continue the efforts to revive the economy of the tsunami-hit fishermen.
Thank you very much for your continues support.
Warm regards,
Mohamad Amrullah
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