HAN 2022 Series, MoSA Renovates Room for 2 Children in Suralaga

SURALAGA (July 31, 2022) - Azmi Hakiya, a resident of Gelumpang Hamlet, Suralaga Village, Suralaga District, looked happy when a group from Ministry of Social Affairs visited his house.

The 9-year-old boy was delighted when he received room surgery assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs along with home furnishings and bicycles.

"It's nice to get a bicycle, later I can play with friends," said Azmi, smiling shyly.

Azmi's condition in a densely populated area was very concerning.

He lived with his older brother, Reza Handayani (12), who was raised by his grandmother and worked as a daily laborer picking chilies and tobacco.

The house he lived in was only a piece of the room measuring 3×3 meters.

There were hardly any items in the room, only bedding covered in makeshift sarongs.

In that room, Azmi and his brother, and his grandmother lived. In that room, they also did activities and sleep.

For daily meals, Azmi and his grandmother rely on the mercy of relatives and neighbors.

"Work is in short supply.  I can buy rice or snacks for Azmi and her brother when people need me to work," said Azmi's grandmother, Sonita Mustadar Irun (43).

Azmi's parents have separated. His mother had a mental breakdown and his father had gone somewhere.

"Around 2018 he said goodbye to work in Bali but until now there has been no news. Azmi's mother doesn't live here," she said.

The limited living conditions did not dampen Azmi's enthusiasm for learning.

This 3rd-grade student of SD Negeri 1 Suralaga is diligent in studying and reading the Koran because he aspires to become a doctor.

"I want to treat my mother," he said innocently when asked why he wanted to become a doctor.

The series of Commemoration of Children's Day which was held in several sub-districts in Lombok Timur also gave a smile to a 6-year-old boy, Baiq Rahel Febby.

Rahel, who lives in Tebaban Daya Village, Suralaga District, RT 2 Taruna, Lombok Timur, received room surgery assistance worth IDR10 million from the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs.

Rahel lives in one room at her grandmother's house with her mother and younger sister.

There are also 5 other families living in the house who are still relatives of her father.

Rahel's mother, Laela, is just an ordinary housewife. Meanwhile, Rahel's father, Lalu Khaerul Ahmadi (30) became a migrant worker in Malaysia.

"Thank you Mr. President Joko Widodo, thank you Ministry of Social Affairs for the help", said Laela.