"Opat Sa", Cisayong Residents’ Value of Life

TASIKMALAYA (31 May 2022) - Dozens of elderly women gathered at Yayah's (61) old house. As if it was commanded, they spontaneously lined up.

Together, they handed over the tile from one person's hand to the other. While having small talks, their wrinkled hands continued to work. On the other hand, elderly men installed roofs, window frames and painted walls. They shared roles.

The spirit was the interpretation of the value of a life of "Opat SA" that was firmly entrenched in Sundanese society, namely "sareundek, saigel, sabobot, sapihanean" (one word, one step, one understanding, one shared fate). It was the spirit of brotherhood and togetherness.

This value made them gather hand in hand to help Yayah. Her house which was located in Cisayong Village, Cisayong District, Tasikmalaya Regency was very worrisome. The roof had many leaks. There was a big hole in the ceiling.

In response to this case, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) provides assistance for the rehabilitation of uninhabitable houses (RTLH) worth IDR 20,000,000. The assistance was given as a part of activities for the 2022 National Elderly Day (HLUN) commemoration peak.

Mutual cooperation was performed within the process. Therefore, the Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini praised the Cisayong residents. “I am very impressed with the spirit of the Cisayong Village residents. I was informed that women worked together to hand over the tiles," said the Minister in her remarks at HLUN 2022.

According to the Minister, mutual cooperation was the energy of our nation. The Cisayong residents' spirit and mutual cooperation were not only seen in building Yayah's house but also in building the Elderly Park not far from Yayah's house. This park was used as a location for social activities for Cisayong residents.

Natural stones were neatly arranged, fish ponds for therapy were prepared, and white chairs were installed directly facing the green field. "This park was not only used as a sports center for the elderly but also a place for rest, reading, discussions, social and religious agendas," said Cisayong Village Head Yudi Cahyudin (38).

Yudi said that the togetherness and harmony of his residents were reflected in the daily routines and habits, including in the series of activities to commemorate the 26th HLUN.

"Praise to God, our residents are united, work hand in hand and help each other to get the work done, particularly the assistance from the government through the Ministry of Social Affairs," said Yudi.

The harmony of the Cisayong residents was seen from their enthusiasm at the peak event which was held at the Sakti Lodaya soccer field (29/5). The field, which has an international standard, was full of approximately 1,000 residents. They gathered to do exercise together.

500 out of those 1,000 residents were elderly from the Cisayong Village and District. Various regional arts were performed at the event. There were also exhibitions of MSME products, electronic ID card registration, and health screening and vaccinations for the elderly.

"Elderly exercise was attended by around 1,000 people, health screening of 194 elderly, vaccination of 10 elderly. There was also an electronic ID card registration," said Yudi.

In Cisayong Village, MoSA distributed assistance with a total of IDR 424.500.000. The assistance was social harmony assistance of IDR 150.000.000, an Elderly Park IDR 100.000.000, entrepreneurship assistance of IDR 30.000.000, the assistance of local wisdom IDR 50.000.000, Sakti Lodaya arts and culture assistance of IDR 24.000.000, assistance for joint business groups IDR 24.000.000, RTLH assistance IDR 40.000.000 for 2 housing units, and furniture and nutrition assistance worth IDR 6.500.000.

The joint business group's assistance was given to some productive elderly in Cisayong who produce Teng Tong Pak (Teng-teng peanut candy, Lontong and Opak chips), have sewing skills and sell Thai Tea drinks. In addition to helping the elderly to be empowered, this assistance further strengthens the harmony between residents, especially the elderly from existing business groups.

Meanwhile, assistance for Cisayong District includes ATENSI assistance for 314 elderly people worth IDR 342.039.000, RTLH assistance for 11 units of IDR 20.000.000 each, furniture and nutrition assistance to 11 people of IDR 2.500.000 each, assistance for accessibility and social harmony.

National Elderly Day was celebrated as momentum to appreciate the elderly. The involvement of the whole community from children and youth to adults makes the elderly feel the presence of 'family' in their old age. Thus, it is hoped that the elderly will be healthier, stronger and more empowered.