ER
MENTIONING the name of the Taman Daun Volunteer Community in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara these days, is identical to the group preventing the COVID-19 movement. This community is considered the most consistent in the matter of preventing the spread, even though it was already popular with the literacy movement.
How could not, since the middle of March 2020, when the people of Lembata were still talking about efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Taman Daun has executed the concept by distributing hands free containers.
Starting from the Regional General Hospital, Community health center, government offices, even the Lembata Regional People’s Representative Assembly office, the people in Lewoleba city to the people in the villages, also participated. Of the dozens of containers, until up to 900 now.
Likewise with surgical masks that are difficult to get at stores and pharmacies in Lembata. Taman Daun is able to produce thousands of cloth masks by itself and then distribute them to the people of Lembata for free.
Until now, Taman Daun continues to produce and distribute masks for free to traders in the market, in the homes of residents, even some people come directly to the headquarters of this community, in order to obtain one type of personal protective equipment.
The Taman Daun Community Movement in preventing the spread of COVID-19 did not stop there. Aware of the limited understanding of the community about COVID-19 and the lack of awareness to help prevent its spread, education about this outbreak was carried out along with the distribution of surgical masks.
During these two consecutive days when distributing masks at the market in Lewoleba City, to traders and visitors alike, the community personnel always started with education about COVID-19 and simple ways to prevent its spread. Even when traders gathered around the members of the community who were distributing masks were not served, because for them, keeping a distance is one way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This community activity also caught the attention of Lembata’s public. Lots of comments on social media give a thumbs up for the hard work of this community. Sayings like “Thank you Taman Daun” also flooded on social media. Then where did the funds come from to this community so aggressively made the procurement of containers for washing hands, cloth masks to educate the people of Lembata?
According to Jhon Batafor, commander of Taman Daun Lembata Volunteer Community explained the secret behind the massive prevention of the spread of COVID-19 which was carried out with his colleagues. I and other colleagues began to promote the movement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, departing from the habit of doing things that are simple and affordable.
Jhon affirmed that coincidentally I have a fishing boat that operates almost every night. From the income of the fishing boat, set aside little by little to buy buckets and taps, then assembled it into a hand washing container.
Likewise, the procurement of thousands of masks is being distributed. Jhon who originally from Lamalera said, initially the material for sewing cloth masks was held by his party. But along with the increasing demand of the community, his side was overwhelmed and used the same method when holding a hand washing container.
Therefore, for Jhon, the funds to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are not too large if there is cohesiveness and sacrifice. The Taman Daun volunteer community itself is not a collection of rich entrepreneurs. The majority of volunteers are seasonal informal workers, who often gather and drink liquor, he embraces and is proven to be actively involved in making hand-washing containers and sewing masks. [sources WK/photo special]
