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ACTNews, BEKASI - A public kitchen established on the bank of Bekasi River,
Marga Jaya, Bekasi City were bustling with activities that afternoon. The
scorching heat of the sun that day did not weaken the spirit of the women from Community
Association (RW) 01 to cook together to provide meals for local residents,
especially those affected by COVID-19.
The local
community works together to establish a public kitchen to serve the people
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially migrants, daily workers, and
traders in the village. Quite many of them lost their jobs due to temporary
closure of many shopping centers and shops.
Bian,
Coordinator of the Public Kitchen, told ACT that, along with the local youths,
he decided to establish a public kitchen because many of the locals don’t have
proper sustenance.
"My friends and I were saddened by the fact that many of the residents here are struggling. Some have nothing to eat but a piece of bread and a cup of sweet tea a day. The food crisis that happens in remote areas also happens here in the center of Bekasi City," Bian told ACTNews.
Women cooking together to serve meals for those financially affected by
the COVID-19 pandemic. (ACTNews / Fhirlian Rizqi)
Bian explained,
most of the people living in the village are migrants who work in shopping
centers. When the shopping centers were forced to close temporarily, they lost
their jobs. They are facing a dilemma because they can’t go to their hometowns,
and they don’t have enough provision until Eid, or until the pandemic ends.
"Some of them wanted to go back home. Having
arrived at the Port of Merak, they were told to return to Bekasi. Therefore,
they have no one else here because they are not natives. On the basis of caring
and solidarity, we decided make a public kitchen, "said Bian.
The public
kitchen cooks up to 270 servings every day, 135 servings each for suhoor and
ifter. The public kitchen that has been operating since the first day of
Ramadan is targeted to be able to serve until the end of the pandemic.
"My friends
and I aim to open this kitchen until the pandemic ends. Still, it depends on the
incoming donations. To be honest, the locals don’t have enough material resources
to keep this kitchen operating for that long. We are doing what we can, including
by dedicating time and efforts for this kitchen like what the women have been
doing," he continued.
The high sense
of solidarity and the spirit of “One Helps One” have driven the youths in RW 01
Marga Jaya to help each other. To support them, ACT, in collaboration with JNE
Bekasi, provided staple food for the kitchen.
A total of 200
kilograms of rice was given on Wednesday (5/6) afternoon through the Free Rice
Operation. ACT Bekasi Branch Manager Ishaq Maulana said, the Free Food
Operation is a manifestation of ACT's commitment to continue to assist the
needy during COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is such
act of solidarity that we must support. Therefore, ACT and JNE provided this
assistance to meet the food needs of our brothers and sisters during Ramadan,"
said Ishaq.
Bian and the
other youths thanked ACT and JNE because the aid has enabled the public kitchen
to continue operating.
"Thank you
very much to ACT and JNE. This aid extends the life of this Public
Kitchen," concluded Bian. []
