Update about Robi. Part 1

Here is a little update about Robi and his mom. (more story here) About 2 weeks ago, the team from Sby: Mr.HK and Mr.HW accompanied by Ven.K visited Robi to check out their real condition. They live in poor, messy and sad condition.
Their visit wasn't heavily published. In fact it was kept low-profile just to ensure the privacy of the mother and child. We (esp. me) do not want other parties to take advantage of this event for their own political benefits. I also worry that some people will "attack" the mother and child for their sudden lucky stroke.

Top: Look at the expression of Robi's mom when Ven.K gave them a surprise visit
Bottom: Ven. K, Mr.HK and Mr.HW giving the donation to Robi and his mom

I've received mixed opinion about this donation. I'll write about the negative ones:

•    Some have asked me “They only donate some fried noodles, what’s so great about it?  A lot of people donate more than that. So, will all people who donate fried noodle get such fund as well?”
• “I doubt that the noodle that they donate really from Robi and his mom. More likely it is from his aunty. So, they don’t really deserve such help”
•  “The amount of money raised for Robi and his mom is too much, too much for them to handle. They wouldn’t know how to manage it”. “Are these people crazy? Why do they donate such big amount?  Do they have too much money? Don't they know there are more people that live in worse conditions?”
•  “They have survived on their own for long time. Why suddenly they need help from outsiders?”
• etc



front yard



Interior

The truth is, I also questioned the donation fund, not about whether they deserve it or not, I worry more how to utilize the fund to benefit them only. I don’t want the money to end up to those who are not on focus. The money was raised in the name of Robi, I think we have to respect donors’ wish to help him, rite?

Ven.K personally interviewed Robi and his mom about what they want and need most. They wish to fix their house. As you can see in the picture, the size of the land is… I think it is quite spacious, but the building size is kinda small to accommodate 5 people. (They never offer us to have a peek in their current 2 rooms, so we didn’t ask too). According to them, Robi’s uncle is to sleep on common room because they have no extra space for him. Looking at the house condition, they really need a make-over.

So, the plan is to fix their house, build another room at their backyard, fix their bathroom/toilet (I doubt it works at all), fix their kitchen, removing the broken hand-water-pump, etc. A lot of things are to be done. Thanks to Mr.KT + Mrs.M, really appreciate your willingness to take charge of this project. Without both of you, I wouldn't have a clue how to do it.

backyard: where we gonna build a new extra room for Robi and his family

the kitchen

bathroom / toilet

We believe that the house make-over wouldn’t cost the whole fund; there’ll be some amount left. The leftover is to be put in bank’s term deposit; they’ll be allowed to consume their monthly interest, while the major fund is only to be withdrawn on rainy days. Btw, there was some discussion whether we should just help them to start up a small business, so they’ll be able to support themselves in the future, so we could utilize the money to the max. But we all agreed that Robi and his mom are quite dim-witted, so starting up a business will be too risky.

So, that’s my update about Robi’s case. I’ll be back with more report, hopefully their house can be fixed ASAP.

Btw, big thanks to Ven. K, Mr.HK and Mr. HW who have put effort to help the family, and flew all the way to Padang just give them a visit. Your effort is greatly appreciated.