Rahmat (27 years old) is one of the recipients of Cash Voucher Assistant (CVA) from Plan International Indonesia Foundation (Plan Indonesia) in October 2021. The young man, who is usually called Thole, felt grateful because he could use the cash assistance from Plan Indonesia to buy medicine, staple food, and other daily necessities for his family. Thole received a CVA of IDR 600,000 because he needs to take medications daily to treat his epilepsy.
Nevertheless, his disability didn’t stop Thole from having a role in society. He has been a mosque keeper in his neighborhood for more than ten years. During the pandemic, Thole is still performing his daily activities as usual. At 3.30 AM, he usually cleans and prepares the mosque to welcome residents who want to do their morning prayers, with strict health protocols. He usually gets back to his house after the residents finish their last prayers at night.
Thole obtained COVID-19 information through wall magazines posted at the mosque and Mekarjaya Subdistrict Office, Depok. He was worried about the Coronavirus, especially because of his disability. His father and youngest sibling were also diagnosed positive with COVID-19 in June and July. “Yes, I was worried. Especially because my father and my sibling contracted the disease. But thank God they are now already able to do their activities, as usual,” Thole said.
The young man, who dreams of creating his own delivery service, is still optimistic that the COVID-19 pandemic will end and he can be vaccinated soon. Due to his current condition, Thole needs permission from a neurologist before he can be vaccinated. “Hopefully, I can get the vaccine soon,” he said with excitement.
As a response to the pandemic, Plan Indonesia has conducted a COVID-19 emergency response at Jabodetabek, focusing on meeting the needs of children and young people, especially girls. The humanitarian aid is targeted to reach 1000 children from the age of 0-18 years old, consisting of 500 marginalized girls and 500 marginalized boys living in Jabodetabek area. Through the COVID-19 emergency response, Plan Indonesia hopes to protect the children from the spread of COVID-19 and fulfill the children’s rights, especially for girls, children with disabilities, and marginalized families. (***)
Writer: Ciptanti Putri | Editor: Intan Cinditiara
