Viral Gunungkidul Boy Caring for Sick Mother Receives Bicycle and Wheelchair from Police
A 9-year-old boy with initials F in Girisekar, Gunungkidul, who has been forced to drop out of school to care for his mother suffering from stroke and paralysis, has received sympathy from various quarters after his story went viral on social media. Gunungkidul Police have also provided assistance to F’s family.
Gunungkidul Police Chief AKBP Damus Asa stated that this visit and social service (Baksos) activity was a direct follow-up to previous checks and reports regarding the condition of F’s parents, Slamet and Aminah.
“The forms of social assistance provided include one Polygon bicycle, one wheelchair, school equipment, food packages, two foam mattresses, and one rice cooker,” said Damus in a written statement received by detikJogja on Sunday (15/3).
This assistance was handed over by Gunungkidul Regency Government, officers from Gunungkidul Police, and related stakeholders on Sunday (15/3) morning. The assistance was delivered directly to F’s family residence in Girisekar Village, Panggang District.
In addition, trauma healing was also conducted by female officers from Gunungkidul Police to F to help restore his enthusiasm for learning following the difficult circumstances he experienced.
Damus said that community police liaisons (Bhabinkamtibmas) together with the village administration will continue to conduct regular monitoring of F’s family’s condition. Furthermore, cross-sectoral coordination will continue to ensure that the assistance provided is sustainable and well-targeted.
“Gunungkidul Police have also prepared healthcare doctors to provide treatment if necessary and to coordinate with the health department,” explained Damus.
“If the public experiences any difficulties, they should coordinate with the local police precinct or can contact the complaint line at 110,” he added.
Beyond material assistance, Gunungkidul Regent Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, who led this social service activity, also ensured other forms of assistance such as education and healthcare guarantees. The administration has partnered with Baznas and Dr YAP Eye Hospital.
Regarding F’s Family Circumstances
It was previously reported that Endah explained the condition experienced by F and his family. F was forced to drop out of school for three years to care for his mother, who suffers from stroke and eye nerve disorders, preventing her from seeing or carrying out daily activities.
Meanwhile, his father has also begun experiencing vision problems over the past year. Gunungkidul Regency Government has ensured that F’s parents receive healthcare services. The Health Department has coordinated to examine laboratory results for F’s parents.
The government is also planning to partner with Yap Eye Hospital to examine the possibility of medical intervention, such as surgery for cataracts or glaucoma, to restore F’s parents’ vision.
“We received the lab results two days ago. Next, we will request assistance from Yap hospital,” explained Endah in her statement.
“We should not ask F or pressure him about whether he wants to return to school; this child will answer that he needs someone to be responsible for his parents’ welfare,” she emphasised.
F actually has an older sibling, but he is working away in the Sleman area and therefore cannot care for their parents. As a result, F has had to sacrifice his own future to look after his parents.
To sustain F’s family’s livelihood, Gunungkidul Regency Government has partnered with Baznas to discuss business capital for F’s older sibling so that the sibling can work closer to home without having to work away from the area.
“The government also ensures that this family has received social assistance interventions, including programme keluarga harapan (Family Hope Programme), basic food assistance (BPNT), and health insurance (BPJS),” Endah stressed.
On the other hand, F’s second older sibling, a girl with initials A, is currently pursuing education at one of Gunungkidul’s state junior high schools. The regency administration has also ensured that F and A can continue their schooling.
“For F’s education matters, this will be handled by the Ministry of Religion through a positive emotional approach, considering that F’s education is at an Islamic school (madrasah),” she said.
“His sister’s education is the responsibility of the Education Department, since she attends a state junior high school,” concluded Endah.