The Beauty of Celebrating Eid Al-Fitr with ODGJ

SURAKARTA (21 April 2024) - Eid al-Fitr belongs to everyone. It is honored not just by adults and children, but also by those with mental disorders (ODGJ). That is how ODGJ residents at the Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta Integrated Center feel.

The Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta Integrated Center houses 42 ODGJ residents, all of whom are males aged between 20 and 70. Only nine ODGJs answered positively. This means they can talk, learn skills, and assist with a variety of activities at the center, such as cleaning the yard or washing dishes.

"Even during the last Ramadan, some of them participated in fasting and pre-dawn meals," said Indra Trisnowijayanto, an ODGJ caregiver at the Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta Integrated Center.

Other caregivers include Handri Saputro and Handi Akbar. They alternately accompany ODGJ and serve 30 Social Welfare Services for Persons in Need (PPKS) who live at the Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta Integrated Center, including those with physical disabilities, mental disabilities, hearing and speech impairments, and other disabilities. It requires patience, sincerity, and unwavering dedication to handle ODGJ.

"I am happy to serve here and strive to provide the best service to them," said Indra, who has been in charge of ODGJ since November 2022.

One significant lesson learned while coping with ODGJ is to be grateful to God for the gift of wonderful health. The Latin saying "bona valetudo melior est quam maximae divitae" states that good health is better than the greatest wealth. "I am grateful for being given health by God. Hopefully, I will be able to continue to help them," said Indra, adding that he is also pleased when ODGJ are certified cured by physicians and reunited with their family.

Since November 2022, at least six ODGJ have been returned to their families since they have shown good responses, healthy, and their families have accepted them back.

However, Indra experiences grief when helping ODGJ, particularly when they are sick, and their response is still poor. They are unable to talk, thus it is impossible to determine their complaints. Typically, additional therapy is planned with doctors or mental hospitals.

During the recent Eid, happiness was also felt by Indra Trisnowijayanto and his friends, Handri Saputro and Handi Akbar. When the echoes of Takbir resounded at dawn on Eid al-Fitr day, some ODGJ prepared to join the Eid Prayer held in the courtyard of the Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta Integrated Center. The ODGJ wore their best sarongs and clothes and joined the rest of the congregation in Eid prayer. They appeared devout while listening to the Eid prayer sermon.

Some ODGJ expressed joy after the Eid prayer when their family visited them. The Integrated Center's staff, including Indra and his friends, were pleased to see this. This joy was accompanied by heartfelt prayers, praying they would recover quickly so they could reunite with their loved ones. Eid Mubarak,

After the Eid Prayer, happiness radiated from some ODGJ when their families visited during Eid. Seeing this, the staff of the Integrated Center like Indra and his friends also felt happy. This happiness was accompanied by sincere prayers, hoping they would recover soon so they could reunite with their beloved families. Eid Mubarak! May the joyous occasion of Eid Al-Fitr inspire us to be more compassionate, forgiving, and generous.