A MISSION OF HOPE AND HUMILITY

As some of you are aware, iKelah had gone on a relief mission with Global Peace Malaysia to quake-stricken Jogja last week. Hence the vigil mode in my previous entry. Yes, each time he goes on a relief mission I am rendered apprehensive with all the 'what if' questions. This time, my worries had doubled as Jogja was down with two calamities, the earth-quake and the on-going eruption of Merapi. And further tremors were also felt, albeit less in intensity, on and off.

This entry is about his mission, in my perspective. It's contents would be a mixture of facts derived from the few phone calls, sms and from the narration he gave me till the wee hours of the morning upon his return. (my eyes were shut but my ears were listening!)

On his arrival, the local liaison group, Dewan Dakwah Indonesia (DDI)'s leader, Pak Rafaii, a physician himself, had requested that ikelah ran a clinic at Merapi instead . You see, the quake had diverted the people's attention towards the quake victims and the Merapi evacuees were left in the lurch. Ikelah obliged and prepared himself to stay there. Another doctor on the mission, Dr Lee, an orthopedician, had ealier on, confided in ikelah, his fear of going too near the active and ferocious Merapi and quietly pleaded to work away from it. Thus, it was decided that the rest of the group would head for Jogja town, leaving ikelah to manage a clinic with the help of the local villagers. This village is actually 7 km from Merapi's peak and one can view the majestic volcano spewing out its lava, distinctly, from here.



On the first day of running clinic, news of renewed Merapi's fiery activities spread and ikelah was adviced by GPM's people to join the rest down the mountain. But after looking at the crowd of villagers thronging his clinic in need of medical treatment, he requested to continue being up there. But this was after being assured by several factors. Firstly, Pak Suharto's (the host) house was only 50 m away from the seismology observation post which was on 24 hr alert of Merapi's activity and would blare out sirence to warn the people. Secondly, they have a well calculated plan to evacuate the place in seconds. Thirdly, Pak Suharto, himself has a mini seismic gadget which was constantly reading seismic tremors and beeping out signals.



Ikelah stayed up Merapi for 4 days, running clinics, attending to sick evacuees who camped out in several 'posko's. Many were suffering from anxiety neurosis. They were unhappy of having to leave their homes and farms unattended and forced to idle each day in cramped, stuffy and hot tents with limited amenities. Ikelah truly felt for these poor people and was sad to leave them at day 4.

All through out the days he was there, I had no inkling whatsoever that Ikelah was so near to Merapi and at risk especially of the ferocious 'wedhus gembel' or hot clouds! If I knew of it, I'd probably protest and asked him to leave the place ASAP!! ALhamdulillah all went well...

The last 2 days were spent on management tasks, making plans and reports for future missions. He made visits to the Malaysian's Angkatan Tentera base and reported on their activities. He also managed to make contacts with the OIC Humanitarian Platform and held informal discussions.


Most importantly, he caught hold of Anang who came over. Anang, whose house was reduced into rubbles, was truly grateful of the donations given by 3 bloggers and another friend. He was touched by the generosity of these kind people and was sad that he couldn't reciprocate with any sort of gifts whatsoever. To all those who had donated or planned to donate but couldn't (due to circumstances), we thank you all, on behalf of Anang!



It was truly a mission filled with love and compassion towards aiding those facing calamities. A satisfying life-journey permitted by Allah swt. May Allah swt reward him, what good deeds he had performed there with increased iman and 'amal. Ameen!