Ramadan Brings Blessings: Aceh Flood Evacuee Sells Sahur Meals to IPDN Cadets

Siti Hasanah (59), a resident affected by flash flooding in Aceh Tamiang, has shared her efforts to earn a living by selling sahur (pre-dawn meal) dishes in the evacuation area of Dusun Bahagia. The woman, commonly known as Nur Lamek, said she sells sahur meals to cadets from the Institute of Domestic Governance (IPDN) who are on assignment there.

“For the first sahur in the evacuation centre, I was truly enthusiastic. I got up quickly, at half past one. My child asked, what are you doing? I said I’m going to cook for the IPDN youngsters,” said Nur Lamek, who had already been running a food stall for workers in the evacuation area.

Nur Lamek said she volunteered to sell sahur meals after hearing that IPDN cadets had been deployed to the evacuation site. Her proposal was approved and she began cooking to sell to workers in the area.

As the holy month of Ramadan began, Nur Lamek saw an opportunity to sell sahur meals and iftar (breaking of fast) dishes. On the first sahur of Ramadan 1447 H, she was already up at around 1.30am to begin cooking.

“We sell each portion for Rp 15,000. For the IPDN youngsters, the price is Rp 13,000,” said Nur Lamek.

Despite using only emergency lighting, she managed to deftly prepare a range of dishes. Fried chicken, vegetable soup, rendang, instant noodles, omelettes and fried rice were all ready for sale before sahur.

“For me, there’s no difference in how I feel. We’re just in a different place, that’s all — this is what we call a calamity,” said Nur Lamek.