Sumatra Surfzone Relief Operation Update - Phase Two "Canoe-Lift" Underway

Sumatra Surfzone Relief Operation Update - Phase Two "Canoe-Lift" Underway
INFORMATION STATEMENT

ISSUED 04 FEBRUARY 05

SSRO Phase One Completion/Summary

The
Sumatra Surfzone Relief Operation was formed on 09JAN05, deploying its
first ships on 13JAN05, delivering 37 tons of food and aid materials --
along with three doctors -- to the islands of Nias and Simeulue. The
SSRO ship Mikumba was the first fully-laden aid vessel to reach
hard-hit Alafan Bay
in the northwest of Simeulue on January 18, the physically closest
settlements to the epicenter of the December 26 earthquake and tsunami.
Operations at Alafan continued unabated until all relief and medical
supplies were distributed, and the Mikumba and SSRO team returned to
the port of Padang on 22JAN, having successfully completed all objectives of the "Phase One" action plan.

SSRO founding members Dustin Humphrey, Timmy Turner and Dave Sparkes departed Indonesia at this time as did Michelle Turner, Kristian McCue and Mirawati Rochnani.

SSRO Phase Two Implementation

SSRO
Director Bill Sharp returned to Sumatra on 24JAN05 for the second time
after a brief visit to the USA to rally financial support for the
cause, and together with Matt George began preparations for Phase Two
operations. An infusion of new team members had already begun to arrive
on scene.
New conscripts include Sam George, well known for two
decades of surf magazine editing and as the writer of the successful
Sony release Riding Giants, who joined the team in Padang
to coordinate the "canoe-lift," the SSRO's plan to redistribute
urgently-needed fishing vessels from unaffected areas to those badly
damaged by the tsunami.

Also
signing on was Australian Zane Kamat, who through amazing coincidence
has spent the last four years working on a documentary on tsunami
survivors and is also a licensed sea captain and scuba diver. Kamat
will act as marine coordinator and also document the dramatic effects
of the seismic event both above the water and below. Kamat's associate,
Malaysian Yee San Loh, will coordinate the dispensing of relief
supplies, translate and document the activities in digital stills and
video.
The intense desire of two female doctors of SSRO's Indonesian
medical team to return as soon as possible to the tsunami afflicted
area was a great inspiration to all involved. Joining on this voyage is
Dr. Muhammad Fadil (the SSRO's original contact in the local medical
community) and new nurse "Patra." Dr. Alsyssa Scurrah will also rejoin
the team at sea.

Crucial
translation skills will be provided by Sherlie Yulvianti and Rina
Haryanto from the office of charter operator Saraina Koat Mentawai.

Most
importantly, the SSRO wishes to announce that this Phase Two voyage was
made possible by funding grants from SurfAid International and Aceh Aid
at IDEP (Indonesian Development of Education and Permaculture). The
SSRO gives its most sincere thanks those organizations for providing
crucial financial, logistical and moral support in this
surfer-organized grassroots effort to help the people of the tsunami
stricken outer islands of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Regards,

Bill Sharp

Director
Sumatra Surfzone Relief Operation

Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Newport Beach, California, USA

949-548-6740 SurfNewsTsunami@aol.com

DISPATCH FROM THE SUMATRA SURFZONE RELIEF TEAM ABOARD THE MIKUMBA

TELOS CUT, SOUTH OF PALAU NIAS, SUMATRA, INDONESIA

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2005

It's been a day and a half since we left port at Padang
and now the Mikumba is working its way through the Telos Cut, low
palm-fringed islets crowding around from all sides, making navigation
critical. But this is the shortest route north across the Siberut
Strait and on to Palau Simeulue, approximately two days' smooth sailing
to the north, and the course was planned so the ship would enter the
Cut at dawn.
Sailing weather fine, winds light, seas sheet glass
reflecting high cirrus clouds above. Quite a change from the vicious
local storm front which originally smashed into the early hours of the
SSRO's second voyage last Saturday morning, chasing us back into port
for repairs. But the storm did nothing to sap our resolve.

Yesterday,
January 31, Phase Two of the SSRO's relief efforts took on a new
poignancy -- quite literally. In the tiny Siberut Island village of
Simalepet, a half day's sail from Padang, 16 hardwood dugout canoes and
32 paddles were taken aboard our ship, all to be distributed to
stricken fishing villages in the north. Hand-carved with axes from
single logs, each is between 16 and 20 feet in length, light enough for
two men (or women) to carry, and handy -- if a bit tippy -- on the
water. This vital component of sustainable, culturally consistent
relief now lay stacked amidships on the Mikumba's deck, in stark
contrast to the modern 15-foot inflatable Feathercraft kayak used for
tending and exploration.

To
celebrate completion in the first small step of SSRO's Phase Two
objectives, a "canoe painting" party was spontaneously arranged. The
varied artistic capabilities and the collective best wishes of the
entire crew were cheerfully applied to each precious hull.

Cupped
in the hands of these myriad islands, small villages lay sleeping in
the morning haze. Thatch huts on stilts, typically surrounding a stone
mosque or church, canoes resting on a quiet beach below. So peaceful,
but we know all too well what devastation occurred on the exposed
northwestern coast of these islands where similarly picturesque
settlements were suddenly engulfed by a 30-foot wave and wiped off the
map.

The
Telos Cut (a spectacularly narrow channel between the islands of
Tanahbala and Tanahmasa) is a challenge, but the Mikumba must get north
to Simeulue as quickly as possible. A lone fisherman in his own dugout
drifts by the starboard rail only feet away, balancing effortlessly as
the Mikumba slips past. A smile, a wave of the hand, wishing us "Semoga
Beruntung," or some local good luck.

And to you, too.

###

DISPATCH FROM THE SUMATRA SURFZONE RELIEF TEAM

ABOARD THE MIKUMBA OFF TELUK BUSONG, PULAU SIMEULUE, ACEH, INDONESIA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005

The mission continues. The Mikumba made a brief stop in the port of Gunung Sitoli,
on the east coast of Nias, and picked up a quantity of Vitamin A,
measles vaccine and other urgently-needed medicines which we will
deliver to SurfAid doctors in Simeulue for their ongoing immunization
clinics. Extra batteries and chargers to keep the bridge electronics
perky on the Mikumba were also brought aboard.
Eighteen hours north of Gunung Sitoli is Teluk Busong (sometimes mapped as Gosung), an idyllic bay on the southwest edge of the island of Simeulue.
After making landfall at dawn, the Mikumba dropped anchor several
hundred yards off a white sand beach, classic a vision of paradise. But
a closer look revealed the unmistakable mark of the December 26
tsunami, even in these protected waters. Most telling were the three
bare palm trunks sticking up out of the sea, approximately 100 yards
from shore. We learned that until recently, three houses stood under
these trees. The entire southern tip of Simeulue submerged some three
feet on the day of the great upheaval, nearly matching the stunning
uplift of reefs on the northern end.

While part of the team went overland to the Sinabong, the main town of Simeulue,
to complete the paperwork needed to work the waters of Aceh province,
the rest got to work, developing a plan to load relief supplies and
distribute them to the nearby village of Salur.
Although some are barely accessible by road, these coastal settlements
on the lower west coast of SImeulue are still reeling from the giant
wall of water. Salur, particularly hard hit, sits at the end of the
pavement just south of a washed-out bridge which makes further truck
passage impossible. Despite widespread destruction, the people of
Simeulue are cheerful and industrious, putting back the pieces of their
lives as well as possible.

The
SSRO team arrived in Salur with its population of approximately 500,
setting up its mobile medical clinic in the cramped office of the
Kempala Desa, or village chieftain. Foodstuffs, tools and school
supplies -- especially welcome -- were distributed outside, giving the
whole project a decidedly caravanserai atmosphere.
The biggest
surprise for Salur was the presentation of a two-man dugout fishing
canoe and fishing tackle -- the key components of SSRO's Phase Two
project. After a symbolic passing of a paddle, the handcrafted prahu
was given to the village's most experienced fisherman, a tall, wire man
of some 50 years, who giggled with gratitude, and took delivery of the
priceless vessel at his place along Salur's beach. Battered, but still
a home, still a community, somehow still intact.
The Mikumba lifted its hook at approximately 2 a.m.
and is currently en route for the northwestern region of Simeulue, the
area hardest hit by the tsunami, and a coastline yet visited by major
relief operations. It is known, however, that these small villages
tucked in the lee of the forested headlands, ringing Simeulue's many
palm-lined bays, are still in dire need of assistance, both medical and
supplies. Morale aboard the Mikumba is high, energy and motivation
unflagging. With the operation's moniker "Surfzone Relief" in mind, the
SSRO team is ready to go where others can't in these reef-strewn and
wave-lashed coastlines. Cruising offshore, picking our way through the
coral maze, we look for the smoke of cooking fires, the only sign of
habitation along this primordial shore.

We are heading north to Delam, inshore of the island of Leukon,
and then will work our way back south. There are many destinations on
our list, and we will be seeking a way to reach villages like Laayon,
where we are told 53 families are isolated, unable to fish and in great
need of aid. We intend to do what we can for them.

SSRO PHASE TWO TEAM

Matt George – Field Command

Sam George - Quartermaster/Watercraft Coordinator/Media Coordinator

Zane Kamat – Marine Coordinator/Media Operations

Yee San Loh – Supply Coordinator/Media Operations/Translator

Sherlie Yulvianti - Sea Ops Translator

Rina Haryanto - Land Ops Translator

Dr. Muhammad Fadil – Medical Coordinator

Dr. Pashiwati Azis – Field Physician

Dr. Ulya Uti Fasrini – Field Physician

Patra Rina Dewi - Field Nurse

Bukti Sihaloho - Security - Provost Marshall/Alafan Province

Raynul Mihiko - Co-Captain/Mikumba

Harudin - Co-Captain/Mikumba

Travel story about second mission of SRO to Simeulue Island

Second Mission of SRO to Simeulue Island

January 26 – February 11, 2005

 

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

At night, my sister Ul asked me to see her friends from the charity voyage to simeulue Islands. I was not with them at the first voyage. Honestly, I insisted my sister to bring me with her for the second voyage. Then, I met Matt George (field command of SRO) and luckily  at the same time I also met Sam George (editor of Transworld surf magazine from USA)- elder brother of Matt. They had been staying in Hotel Bt. Arau. First time, I was afraid that they couldn’t accept me to join them but soon after Matt asked Bill (executive director of SRO), they decided that I could came with them. He introduced me to another team; Alyssa (five-year medical student from Australia, Yee San Loh (journalist from Malaysia but working in Argentina), Zane Kamat (captain and documentary filmmaker from Australia but working in Mexico), and Bill Sharp (from  Billabong USA, director executive of SRO as well. I also met Rina and Sherli in there (they were working for travel tour that rent ship Mikumba for us)

Not much time to talk this time but I felt that did like them all.

Thursday, January 27, 2005

After got permission from parents, my sister and I prepared everything for going on voyage for 14 days.

Friday, January 28, 2005

My father took me, my sister and Wati (another doctor besides my sister Ulya and Fadil) to Batang Arau Hotel. We gathered there. We left hotel at 8.30 pm with good wish from Christina (Director of Hotel). We had to get on car for 40 minutes to reach Bungus port. Bill and Sam was already on the ship and load all stuffs properly, tried to make ship keep balance. Only men allowed join the loading time, so the girls were jobless.

We bring so many aids: rice, carpentry tools, fishing equipments, mosquito nets, stationeries, foods, water, etc. We would stop by in Siberut to pick the canoes up.

11.45 pm all team had meeting. Matt gave us guidance about safety procedure. He required us to wear whistle 24 hours! So, if there was an emergency case, we could flow the whistle. (I was just thinking “Can someone hear my whistle if I jumped to the sea by accident?”).

Thank God, at 2 am (Saturday morning) Mikumba sailed. My sister, Wati and I were in the same bedroom. It was difficult for sleep because ship was not stable because the big waves, rain and leaking at the roof of our room but because of tired, we felt asleep.

Saturday, January 29, 2005

At 8 am, everybody woke up and felt happy because ship stopped. We thought that we reached Siberut faster. The funny thing was everybody saw the familiar place. Guess! We were still in Bungus (the port). None of ship crews told us because they knew that all of us must be so tired after loading. The ship was blocked by storm and the captain had no choice but went back to port for safety reason. We also had problems with pump, so if water came into side of ship, it could not flow automatically.

Matt decided that we had to go back to our house and he would inform us about next plan soon. My parents were so surprised that we back home. Wati, Ul and I chose sleep for main program.

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Matt called my sister at afternoon and told her that we could sail today. We didn’t need to prepare again because all stuffs were kept at hotel still. My father brought us to hotel on time, at 4.30 pm. Matt and Bill had been waiting for us. Fadil came after for about 15 minutes. Matt walked here and there like iron, he was so busy to take care everything.

5.30 pm Christina said nice greeting to us “I don’t wanna see you all for a while!”. She hope we would not have trouble like yesterday. Thank you Christina!

Though we hadn’t known each other yet personally, only knew the names, I felt that I would have nice time with them. Everybody was so nice.

08.15 pm everybody had to hear explanation about emergency plan again. Zane as captain also gave short brief about expedition route but I couldn’t imagine because I never go to Simeulue. I was just listening. Matt showed us where the life jacket and  fire extinguisher placed in case we need those stuffs. We were given knowledge about survival, how to release ourselves by using emergency door or window, etc.  Matt was so fussy about safety, so we called him Mr. Safety. I don’t like few rules like : “don’t jump on the boat!”, “women should not lift anything!”. I knew that he had big responsibility but I felt that I was in jail with those rules. Sorry, Matt but I believe you know that I am a stubborn.

The structure of Team :

 

Bill Sharp   as Project Commander

Matt George as  Field Commander

Reena as  Assistant to Matt and Land ops translator

Sherly as  Sea ops translator

Muhammad Fadil  as  Medical Coodinator

Pasniwati Aziz   as  Field Doctor

Ulya Uti Fasrini  as  Field Doctor

Patra Rina Dewi  as  Field Nurse

Sam George as  Quartermaster, canoe operation, media coordinator

Yee San Loh   as  Supply coordinator, media operator, translator

Zane Kamat         as   Marine coordinator,  media operations

Renol   as  co-captain

Khairudin                     as  co-captain

The ship crews: Nawal and Indra (mechanic), Toni (chef), Iskandar and Niko (supporting crews).

Alyssa would join us from Sinabang, Simeulue.

At 9.30 pm Bill said good bye to us. He intent to join us but the schedule changed and he couldn’t cancel another schedule in his list. His last joking to my sister “You go twice, I go zero, so.. go!” with his funny face. I knew that he upset because he couldn’t join the voyage. Bye Bill !”

Oh Mikumba was not like a ship, I felt just like at home. I just hope that our room would not be leaking anymore.

Monday, January 31, 2005

Thank Toni, first breakfast was so delicious, fried noodle!

The second day on the voyage, everybody still need time to adapt with new environment.

At 10.27 am, Mikumba put on anchor in Siberut port. Matt and Sam took canoes that would bring to Simeulue. They had to paddle canoes to pick those canoes repeatedly. Sam brought his own, the red canoe. Wati, Ul and I had job to spray the insects before the canoes were load to Mikumba.

The good news was Zane said that we still had time for fun until 4 pm. After finish loading canoes, Matt and Sam offered us swimming lesson near the beach. They had serious problem because Sherli, wati, Ulya and I couldn’t swim. Actually, my sister and I could swim but not well at all.  Fadil and Yee San were also busy as co-instructor helping Matt and Sam. What a beautiful moment!

Swimming made our stomach couldn’t compromise, so we had to be back to Mikumba for lunch. After cleaning our bodies and pray (for Moslem), we enjoy the food, fried fish with red chili. It was so good! Toni was the best cook.

The anchor was pulled out at 2.55 pm. After swimming time, everybody start talking each other, did ice breaking. Fadil was so funny!

Don’t want to be trapped by boring situation spontaneously Sam gave us challenge to paint the canoes.  Everybody painted own canoe seriously and Sam gave comment for each. Sam gave title “Hibiscus at the Night” for my sister’s painting. It was so beautiful, abstract but like hibiscus. Zane, the calm captain was teasing wati because Wati painted the tree on the canoe up side down hahaha.. Zane said “The coconut tree must be hit by Tsunami!”.

Tuesday, February 1, 2006

As usual, woke up, had a bath and breakfast with delicious pancake. Not much activity to do, just talking, reading, listening music, watching movie, etc.

Around 1 pm, the cloud turned dark and started going to rain. Sam, Yee San and Zane were so busy to protect canoes by using tarps. Suddenly, Matt asked me to follow him went up to top of Mikumba. I helped him to fill the empty gallons with fresh water. He said that it would be useful for worse condition. We tighten filled gallon at the end of empty gallons, so if we had to jump into the sea in order to survive, we could hold the empty gallon until the rescue comes and could use fresh water for drinking. It was brilliant idea I thought. I don’t know, I have lack knowledge about survival.

04.20 – 05.15 pm again Matt, Sam, Zane had to be busy to bail water out of ship’s side. There was problem because rubbish blocked the water out. Luckily we have mini Sherli (hehe sorry Sher, you had great meaning at that time)  who could go inside the ship’s side. She had to bail water out manually. In meantime, the crews were replacing some heavy stuffs to the back of ship, so water could flow easily.

After prayer of Isya, Matt and Sam made attraction by playing guitar and harmonica, time for country song! We were so happy looking at them. They said that was first time for them made duo.

After lunch, the music became hotter. We made Mikumba’s band and Cant Take My Eyes off you as favorite song.

Sherli and Rina had to play flute even though they didn’t know how to play.  Yee San was the expert. Fadil and I beat the empty gallons by hands. Ul beat three glasses by using spoon and Wati made melody by spoon and fork. Zane filmed it. So, there was like a real show! Matt were still using guitar and Sam with harmonica. Mmh.. we required a manager J.

Lately night, Zane got inspiration to make dit tyu widu, the traditional music of Aborigin. He went to the deck looking for bamboo.

Matt turn of the lights and lighted a candle, started discussing about “How to Stop the War”. I didn’t enjoy that discussion because everybody had own opinion and the situation became “hotter”. I thought we couldn’t insist others to accept our theory.  It’s better go to sleep.

Tuesday, February 2, 2005

06.00 am Mikumba dropped anchor in Gunung Sitoli, Nias. We had to buy equipments for Mikumba (I don’t know what kind of equipments). If I didn’t make a mistake, we need to buy pump, so if waters came to the side of ship, it would not stagnated. No one allowed going ashore but crews. Mr. Safety’s rule J.  .

03.00 pm Mikumba left Gunung Sitoli. I was happy that I could send sms to my parents, we still got signal.

 

Thursday, February 3, 2006

08.00 am. Thank God! Mikumba dropped anchor in Simeulue, particularly in Teluk Busung. Simeulue, we are coming! We could see Willy’s house from Mikumba, one of surfer who had been staying in Simeulue for long. My sister and Wati told me about him. What a nice place! 

11.30 am, was an action time, the first day to distribute aids and to open clinic. We collected and made data for aids that we should deliver. The ship was mess up!

01.00 pm, we started to leave ship by using dinghy. Willy house would be our temporary post. Willy’s house was made by wood and some pillars had broken because of Tsunami. We met Pak Gading, a housekeeper and he told us that Willy was not around, going to Medan with his wife. Willy’s house was so pleasant While Matt and Sherlie was taking care everything, Wati and Fadil were playing ping-pong. Zane and Yee San went to village for some interviews. The wind stopped fadil and wati from playing. I never got seasick on the boat but I felt that I got sea sick at willy’s house J. I felt that I couldn’t step properly.  We were waiting for Alyssa. She had been in Sinabang at that time.

Zane and Yee San finished their interviews and gathered with us. All of a sudden, Bupati (mayor) of Simeulue visited us. He just told us that it might be better if we made coordination with “posko” (post of aids). We just smiled. Oh come on sir, people can not wait that long!

05.20 am we went to Desa Salur. Fantastic! We went there by truck. I loved it! We stood among aids. Everybody was happy, joking, singing and laughing. It was not usual for the people to see the western, so the kids shouted happily “Bule.. bule…. !” (western people). Alyssa replied them “putiiih… putiih…(white.. white..)“

05.55 pm we reached Desa Salur. Matt talked with Kepala Desa. Wati and I talked with people. They told us that they knew Tsunami would come after earthquake because their grandma said so. The ancestor made song for the next generations because they had ever been hit by Tsunami in 1907. They just need 15 minutes to run the higher ground. They even had time to bring logistic and other needs for a week survival.

06.15 pm we opened the clinic. We got a little trouble because people didn’t want to make a line. They competed to be the first one to get medication. Actually many of them were not sick at all. They just need to talk with us. But we had to make the priority. The old person, the pregnant women and the baby was on the top priority. Patients cold and cough most.

09.30 pm The clinic closed. We went back to Willy’s house again by truck. We had to be careful because we couldn’t see the branch of tree that unexpectedly could snap our head. The sky was so beautiful that night. We could see thunder from far.  

10.15 pm we had rest on Mikumba.

Friday, 4 February 2005

 

8.30 am Mikumba put anchor in Lhok Dalam.

01.00 pm Sam, Zane, Yee San, Alyssa, Wati and Fadil went to village of Lhok Dalam. They observed and brought aids for people. Matt, my sister, crews and I  just waited for them on the ship.

04.00 pm the team went back to Mikumba with a young lady named Umi and her grand mother, also one 6 days-old infant (hadn’t given name yet). The baby looked so suffered. We cleaned Sherli’s room for them. We had to bring the baby to the hospital in Sinabang immediately. He really needed help..

At night, his temperature became higher, 39 degree Celcius and had to be bath. Then, Alyssa gave name for the baby “hope” and Ul translated to Arabic language as “Radja” or means King for Indonesia language.

Mikumba sailed to Teluk Busung back.

Saturday, 5 February 2005

04.00 am everybody was up. Mikumba arrived in Tl. Busung’s water. We waited for sunrise because it was to dark to go to hospital.

07.00 am Radja was evacuated to Sinabang hospital by rental car. Umi and her grandma went along with Alyssa and Fadil Sherli and Jason (from SurfAid).  Sherli contacted us by radio and informed that Radja would bring to Medan because Sinabang hospital had lack of equipment. But the plan canceled because the baby was to weak to get flight. Alyssa decided to go Medan, looking for the ventilator. In mean time, Fadil and Sherli were still waiting at hospital. Sam, Nico and I prepared the fishing kits and put them to the pail. We would distribute them to the people. We were working under the rain, so cool J.

11.45 am Sam and I left Mikumba to pick Fadil and Sherli up. Alyssa was already back to the hospital and looked after Radja.  

03.20 pm Mikumba left Teluk Busung.

06.15 Mikumba put anchored in Laeion’s water.

10.00 pm we got bad news from Alyssa that Radja passed away. Every face turned gloomy. He was back to his God in peace. The pain released.

Sunday, 6 February 2005

07.15 pm heavy rain came down, so we couldn’t go to the village on the morning. It was too dark outside.

09.25 am Fadil, Matt, Sam and Rina went to village and brought aids and medicine. They observed the situation in there whether people need medication or not.

10.20 am was still raining. Luckily, the clinic was safe from Tsunami and could be used for medication. Matt and Sam installed tarps outside the clinic because the clinic was too small.

11.15 am the first patient got medication. I was doing administration by standing because it was not possible for using chair and table. Unexpectedly, the strong wind blew the tarps. People were panicking, screaming and some of them leaving the clinic. I remembered what Matt said “If you got problem, just blow your whistle and I will come!, ok?”. So, I blew my whistle as strong as I could while looking for Matt. What a funny moment when I saw Matt carrying aid at the shore, so far from me. Of course, he couldn’t hear my whistle at all. It was much more funny because suddenly people stopped screaming and looking at me. They thought that I blew whistle to make them calm down. I used that situation by giving speech wisely (hehehe… my whistle helped me though). “Don’t worry, it is just  a normal wind, no more Tsunami. Please have a sit!” Haha.. I was laughing inside.  Matt.. Matt.. where are you? But thanks, because the whistle is useful for me (I am just whispering to myself).

03.00 pm we finished medication because the weather was getting worse and we had to be back to the ship. Thank u, Marni and Niar. You are good nurses.

04.00 pm the dinghy reached Mikumba. The waves were so crazy. Iskandar almost got accident when he tried to jumped from dinghy to the ship. Fortunatley, he didn’t fell down. We were happy because we could be on the ship safely.  

04.20 pm Mikumba sailed to Teluk Busung. Alyssa, Umi and grandma were waiting for us there.

Monday, 7 February 2005

06.30 Kanda (kanda means big brother) Sam had to be back to USA. He had schedule that was not possible to delay. We would miss him because he always had joking. We could never forget one of his joking. One night, we got dinner with fried chicken as the main menu. When my sister was biting the fried chicken, Sam shouted loudly “Oh no, you can not do that, you can not eat my friend. Oh no, please don’t do that, I know his father.. I know his mother. Please.. Please.. no.. !” hahaa.. Sam pretended to be chickens that had been seeing my sister from the window. We also brought chickens and goats as aids for people. We put chicken next to glass window. Could you imagine the chicken’s face as Sam pretended?

07.27 am Bye bye Sam! Hope we will see you again. Fadil accompanied Umi and her grandma to look for their relatives in Sinabang.

 

13.10 pm Fadil joined us and Mikumba sailed..

06.25 pm Mikumba dropped anchored in Simeulucut’s water.

Tuedsday, 8 February 2005

09.10 am Matt, Rina, Zane dan Yee San distributed aids to Lakubang and Labaya village. There was no medication today because all of people were healthy.

03.40 pm Mikumba sailed to the North of Simuelucut. We had no more fresh water, so we jumped on the sea for having bath. It was another fantastic moment because I couldn’t swim.

Wednesday, 9 February 2005

05.00 am, after Morning Prayer, we stayed awake. We had to open clinic as soon as possible at the village. But we had a little obstacle. The back door that we usually used as main door for carrying aids couldn’t be open. Bravo Zane! You can open the door!. Matt got the fisherman boat to bring a lot of aids

08.30 am Zane was driving dinghy to bring the medical team to the Latak Ayah village. It was quite far because we had to avoid big waves. We had breakfast on the dinghy. Tony put fried rice in the plastic bag. When we reached shore, people spontaneously helped us to carry the aids. I couldn’t tell you the feeling inside. How happy I was when I saw people’s faces, when I saw their smile.

09.00 am we started clinic. Chief of Clinic, Mr. Amris helped us much. People came from 8 villages. Cough was the main problem in there.

06.00 pm we closed the clinic and went to grave of Teuku Jalak di Ujung. People said that the grave was not damaged by Tsunami. It could be true because the corals that covered the grave were still on their place.

06.45 pm we got back to Mikumba.

Thursday, 10 February 2005

09.35 am Mikumba put anchored in Ujung Salang’s water.  Matt negotiated with Kepala Desa of Lavaka.

01.00 pm we went to Lavaka village.  The clinic was big but still dirty because the debris of Tsunami. Nobody took care the clinic. People were still leaving on the hill. They hadn’t felt save yet, still afraid of Tsunami.

01.30 pm we started the clinic.

02.00 pm we had to stop the medication for a while because it was going to dark. People had no lamps. They needed time to pick the lamp from the hill. So, crews took the lamp from Mikumba. Fadil, Ul and Alyssa had been using the time to give speech about public health

05.00 pm We could finish the medication. We also dropped all medicine for this village because it would be the last day for us before going back to Padang. Nurse Yuli helped us much.

Friday, 11 February 2005

08.10 am Mikumba put anchored in Batu Berlayar Island. Zane would take us diving. Thank God, it is incredible moment in my life! Thank Zane.

I just thought “Could I dive even though I couldn’t swim?” but I didn’t need to be worry because Zane was a diving master.  I loved it! I could see lives under water that I never imagined in my life. I could see the water was not clean because of Tsunami but the fishes still happy though J.

09.00 pm Mikumba had been sailing to Padang. I could never forget the moment with you, my big family in SRO. Thank you very much for a wonderful journey! Thank God for giving the tremendous memories.

wait for the story of third mission of SRO

 

 

Every Human has Strength

The thick dust in bus station accompanied by bright sun and sound of vehicles machine on that afternoon made my friends and I did not want to open our mouth to speak. It was not easy to catch the bus because we had to compete with the students after school. What a boring time! Thirsty, hot, tired and another complain spoke loudly in my heart, may be in my friends’. Everybody was so busy with own heart voice. Almost forty-five minutes trapped on station, it was not take a minute to make bus full.  Like a flock of bee, the passengers got into the bus quickly. My friends felt that we lost our energy to follow their steps. 

From far, one block from me, I saw a girl smiling at me. Ups! She did not smile at me but to the girl exactly in front of me. She was just not smile. The moment was so amazing! They shared stories and made a joke. What a perfect the Almighty! Their happiness was not influent by the noise around. Although I did not understand the body language of mute and deaf, I knew that they shared nice stories each other. I could see their expressions and their laughs. It was unbelievable!.

My thoughts were flying over and contemplation was filling my mind. How fair Allah, when my friends and I felt so upset because we could not speak in the noisy situation, Allah showed us the amazing creatures. Those two girls did not influent at all! I thought may be with their weakness, they never made rumors because they could not hear the voices of normal human. So that, they could not hear the infotainment or another bad news on television or radio that I often listened.

May we could have take lesson from every moment that we had every second in our life. Nothing is useless. God loves “His” creatures with “His” way, let’s take it gratefully.

 

Surfzone Relief Operations (SRO)

After Tsunami, my sister introduced me to her friends : Matt George and Sam George. She was working with them as a leader of medical team. It was a amazing momment for me because I had oppurtunity to do charity work in Simeulue Island with all the great friends. ( I am writing all stories now.. be patient please)

Umrah (my spiritual journey to sacred cities)

This is my letter for my friends, now and next  

Jakarta, 21 May 2005

Dear bothers and sisters,

Hope everyday is always a great day for us…

I’m sure that you wouldn’t mind if I share my umrah story with you all, would you ? It was so amazing!!!. I don’t know how to express my feelings right now. I have been so happy. I am bound to earn and save money to go there again and again and again… as long as I have chance to breathe and to collect money or may be the best choice is improving my skill and applying to be a tour leader for umrah. Just a dream but who knows ? Life would be delightful because we have dreams, right ?

Very sorry if I don’t write properly because so many things racing in my mind. I also hope that you can understand my awful english.

I went to Jeddah via Brunei on May 11, departure from Jakarta. It took two hours flight to Brunei, took of at 7.40 am Indonesian time and arrived in Brunei at 8.40 am Brunei time. These two countries have one hour timed difference, Brunei get one hour faster than Indonesia. Just 40 minutes there, we got into another plane (but still using Royal Brunei Airlines) to reach Mekah, took 8 hours flight to Sarjah airport and continued to King Abdul Aziz air port for 2 hours. I cant imagine how long to reach US. I felt that I had a very long trip. Fortunately, there so many sky shows that I could see. When my eyes got tired, I could sleep easily. We arrived in Makkah was about 4 am in the morning after took 5 hours trip by bus. Makkah and Madinah have 4 hours difference with Padang, so I always slept at 9 pm Makkah or Madinah time that means at 1 pm Padang time.

Soon we stepped to the Hotel in Makkah, we did first “umrah”. There are three pillars of umrah :

1. Ihram, which is the intention of starting umrah => having a bath to make our body pure, wearing umrah clothes (the pure clothes), praying two raka’ah and making strong intention in our heart that we would do umrah just because of Allah.
2. Tawaf. We should do seven circuits of Tawaf. => walking counter clockwise of ka’bah. Each circuit start and end at the black stone.
3. Sa’y. Then, we went to safa hill by walking quickly, come down and walked towards marwah hill, made all the wishes as much as we needed.

The pilgrims who are not able to walk can use the wheelchair for doing this ibadah (ritual).

I couldn’t believe what people said about the miracle of Masjidil Haram (Haram mosque) before.  In example : we could cry without any reason, all our wishes would come true, and we got warning or punishment if we do something wrong, etc until I myself had a few of miracles (it’s hard to explain with the rational thought, there must be Allah’s hands). In normal condition (ex. In Padang), I often get problem with the high temperature, particularly with the strong sunlight. I cant stand above the sun for more than 10 minutes. I will get dizzy if I push myself to do that. But, there, in the range of temperature 37 – 42 ^o C with the stronger sunlight and lower humidity, I could make 7 circuits of tawaf without feeling hot at all (I had been doing tawaf five times before each pray everyday). I even felt cool at that time, as my wish to Allah. I had this condition only when I did tawaf  in the middle of masjidil haram where the ka’bah is has no roof . But the condition was different  when I walked outside of the mosque, I had to wear sun glasses because my eyes couldn’t be opened and I felt so hot but still I never got dizzy at all, ever. While I made wishes near the Ka’bah, my tears came out not under my control and stopped after all of the wishes done.

One day, after doing zuhur pray (about 13.00 pm), I felt so thirsty and imagined how fresh the zam-zam water to drink but I had to finish my du’a (pray) first. Just a minute, someone, an Arabian woman whom I never knew before walked in front of me and brought zam-zam water, as my wish. Not only for one time .. also another time when I made a wish to Allah, The Most Gracious. It was really not coincidence.

Another experience, usually every time I entered the mosque, I always remind myself about number or name of the mosque’s gate and the shoes shelf where I put my shoes. I had to do this because all of  gates are very similar, we couldn’t differentiate one to another. But, that day, I entered one gate and I just put my shoes on the one of shoes shelf (I forgot to remember the number of the shelf). After doing the ritual, I couldn’t find my shoes. I searched every shelf but still hadnt found yet. Suddenly, someone who is cleaning service of the mosque that I never saw before came to me, spoke english (it’s hard to find someone who can speak english there), and said “Sister, you put your shoes over there”. He led me to the shelf that he pointed. I couldn’t understand how he knew that I had been looking for my shoes and he could recognize my shoes. So many pilgrims there, all of them wearing white dresses, like my dress. Again, I believe it was not coincidence. I believe Allah helping me with his hand.

I also got a warning there. At the third day in Makkah, I whispered to myself “Mmh.. Why this mosque is not as big as I ever watched in the television, seem smaller” (not good thinking, right ?). After zuhur pray (about 1.30 pm) I went to the supermarket and I didn’t know that I chose the wrong way when I wanted to came back to my hotel after shopping. Actually, I could made shortcut by entering the mosque but again, I didn’t know why I didn’t do that at that time. I walked outside the mosque and felt very hot. I didn’t realize that I have almost made one circle of the mosque. Honestly, I have to admit that masjidil Haram is so big, very big ! Then, I asked Allah to forgive my proud. Unbelievable, I just need 10 minutes to reach my hotel. Now, I have stronger belief in Allah existence and how Merciful Allah is.

The next experience, I could see all of my acquaintance smiling faces every time I made wishes. I don’t know what sign of this. I could see all face of friends as if I saw the slide of photos, one by one appeared with fresh and happy face. Thus, I could make the wishes for all of my families and my friends, even for someone who ever made me feel hurt.

The last day, when I stood in Multazam, a place between black stone (Hajar Aswad) and door of Ka’bah, the place which is blessed by Allah. He promises to make all the wish comes true there. You know, I couldn’t move until I mentioned all of my hopes to Him with flood of tears. I couldn’t stop crying, I felt so sad to leave Ka’bah, even though I know Allah will always be beside us every time but my soul felt very convenient there. But, I was also conscious that I had many things to do in my country and I was so sure that Allah will give me another chance to go there. Perhaps.. with you, guys. I wonder we have the same way, so that we could be together in heaven like we were together on the boat. Nothing is impossible, isnt it ? Just a hope.

Another side of the journey. We did “ziarah” – going to the historical places.

We went to some rock mountains, which had been used by prophet “Muhammad” while  he spread Islam there. I admire the prophet more than before and believe how strong his influence is. He already died hundred years ago but the people still do what he taught which was got from voice of Allah.

Again, I cried for remembering his effort to us. He had to walk and hike on the sharp rock or he just could use camel as the transportation. The fruit plants are very rare, we only found korma’s trees, At-Tin trees and Zaitun trees. What he did if he, his companions and the followers got hungry ? I’m truly grateful for what I have right now. I have a nice house, I can choose food that I want to eat, I can lie down on soft bed and I can see my friends wherever I miss them without feeling scared to be caught or to be killed by enemy. I promise to myself to be always thankful for whatever I have in the rest my life. I hope I can keep my promise and I really need you to remind me.

The government of Saudi Arabia imports fruits, rice, wheat and all kind of plants from another country to feed their people. But nowadays, they succeed to plant some fruits by using high biotechnology, i.e. watermelons and cucumbers. They also have green line in the middle of the road, was planted by very expensive plants. Because of that, you will pay  fine if you break it. The plants are different with others; it is never withered even in dry season with the highest temperature and lowest humidity – ever lasting green.  I also thought all the people are very rich. It’s hard to find motorcycle there. Most of the citizens are living in apartment.

Oh, I almost forget to tell you about the miracle of the well of zam-zam in Makkah, exactly in Masjidil Haram which has plentiful of water that never dry since the angel scraped it for Ibrahim’s son, Ismael. Although thousands pilgrims has been coming every months and drinking this water since centuries ago but the water is still exist. The government of Makkah also sends these waters to Medinah and other cities, also give to the pilgrims 10 liters for each. Again, this well never dries.  We also can drink the fresh water, no need to boil. Zam-zam has complete nourishment and can heal the disease. Allah mentioned this (we can find in Koran and Hadith  – Muhammad’s speech as well) before the scientist proved it.

Also the nice view was when I could see people from all of the world, white to black skin, infant to 90 years old, weak to strong, short to tall gathered in one place and helped each other sincerely. No differences there, except the sincere worship of Allah. Allah never looks at our status and physic; He only looks at our sincerity for doing everything even for a very little good thing, especially when we do it constantly. Just for  an example : keep smiling whenever we meet relatives and friends.

The  important thing, there was no mosquito in those sacred cities (Makkah and Medinah), not even one ! 

Last but no least…. When you hear Allah is calling you, don’t turn away, follow your conscience as he leads you to find the way… We will be walking together now and next. Insya Allah….  Aamin Allaahumma aamiin.