Australia hands over fund for bomb victims to Muhammadiyah<\/p>\n
Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
It is exactly one month since the Sept. 9 bomb explosion outside
\nthe Australian embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta, which blew out
\npart of the iron fence and shattered windows, as well as people's
\nhopes and dreams.<\/p>\n
\"We're feeling better, but if people ask about him, I still
\nfeel sad,\" Sri Maryati, sister of Anton Sujarwo, who was killed
\nin the blast, said on Friday. Her eyes brimmed with tears.<\/p>\n
Anton, who was the fourth of five children, was a security
\nguard at the embassy. He used to send between Rp 400,000 (US$44)
\nand Rp 500,000 every month to his family in Lampung, especially
\nfor his youngest sister, who is in the first year of senior high
\nschool.<\/p>\n
\"She and Anton are the only ones to have attended senior high
\nschool,\" said Sri. Their father is a farmer, who, after an
\naccident last May, cannot work odd jobs as a laborer between
\nharvests anymore.<\/p>\n
The family is among those to receive help from the Australian
\ngovernment, which has provided a A$1 million (US$716,000) fund
\nfor a three-year Family Assistance Program.<\/p>\n
The program provides support for education from elementary
\nschool until university, medical expenses, training and family
\nincome support.<\/p>\n
At least 10 people were killed in the Kuningan blast and more
\nthan 180 others were injured, some so severe that they have
\nsuffered permanent physical disabilities.<\/p>\n
To channel the funds throughout the archipelago, the
\nAustralian government is working together with Aisyiyah, the
\nwomen's group of Muhammadiyah, one of the two largest Islam
\norganizations in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
At the signing of the agreement between the two parties in
\nJakarta on Friday, head of Aisyiyah's social affairs division,
\nNurni Akma, said that the women's group had named 76 families in
\nneed of assistance.<\/p>\n
\"We're having problems with unclear addresses, but we'll
\ncontinue our efforts to find others in the upcoming weeks,\" she
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Every family whose financial capability was disturbed by the
\nblast would receive a donation, said Akma. If deem necessary,
\nthey would also get between Rp 500,000 and Rp 650,000 monthly
\nincome support.<\/p>\n
As for training and capital, Aisyiyah will first list the
\nabilities and wish of the victims. \"Iwan Setiawan, who lost his
\nright eye in the bomb blast, for example, wants to set up a
\ncomputer business,\" said Akma.<\/p>\n
Australian Ambassador for Indonesia David Ritchie assured that
\nthis would be the first phase of the assistance program, as
\ndonations are still coming in.<\/p>\n
\"We will stand by you throughout this ordeal forever,\" said
\nRitchie to the victims' families.<\/p>\n
Sri said that her father wanted to start rearing cows back in
\nLampung. \"It would be great if we can get cows, although I don't
\nknow yet how many we need to start a business.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-hands-over-fund-for-bomb-victims-to-muhammadiyah-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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