Icih Tries to Survive Amid Outbreak Without Job

ACTNews, JAKARTA - Icih Maesaroh (46) has been unemployed for two months. She has no source of income to support her father and two children. Whatever she receives in a day will be used to sustain her family.

Initially he worked as a household assistant at an apartment. Unfortunately, she was laid off because of the pandemic. With the currently unstable economic condition, she is unable to find a new job. She has no choice but to sell her belongings just to survive.

“I sell whatever I have because we have to buy basic needs. If we want some vegetables, for instance, of we have to buy it. I even sold some pieces of my jewelry," Icih said.

In addition to daily needs, Icih still needs to pay rent. Without any income, Icih is currently confused about how she could pay her rent. Although she was able to pay the rent for the last two months, she is not sure if she will be able to pay the rent in future months.

One of the rented rooms Icih. (ACTNews / Reza Mardhani)

"We live in a rented house, and we need money to pay the rent. The landlord just doesn’t want to know about my condition. I have to pay no matter what, so I really need money,” explained Icih.

With such a difficult financial situation, Icih did not prepare anything special for Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.

"I’ll just have whatever is available. What is important is just to have something to eat, that's all. Last year, the condition was much better. At least I still have a job and some money to buy something. Now that I’m unemployed, we really don’t have much, "said Icih.

One time, one of her friends told her about Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT)’s Humanity Care Line. Two days after she called the number, a rice package was delivered to her house. "Alhamdulillah, we are grateful for this program. At least we have something to eat without having to buy, "explained Icih.

Icih thanked the generous benefactors for supporting her family. "Thank you to the all benefactors. Thanks for your sincerity in allotting some of their wealth. We can enjoy the upcoming Eid, "said Icih.

Since Monday (5/18), ACT has deployed the Humanity Bikers to support the Humanity Care Line program. They are couriers who send rice packages to the beneficiaries. Through the Humanity Bikers program, ACT empowers people who had been laid off. During 3 days of operation, Humanity Bikers has involved as many as 250 motorcycle drivers. []