In March, Sudiman, 40, returned to work as a fish vendor. His wife, Ida, 27, resumed her embroidery activities the month before. They were able to return to their work with assistance from the livelihood recovery program of Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YTBI), a member of the global church aid alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International in Indonesia. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, also a member of ACT, is supporting ACT’s tsunami recovery projects.

"We are working for our future now. I got back my job as a fish vendor, and my wife returned to work as an embroiderer since YTBI provided us with the capital to start our jobs," said Sudiman on the cool morning at the barracks.

From YTBI's livelihood program, Ida also received a sewing machine and other supplies for her embroidery work. Ida said she enjoys embroidery, which she can do with other women in the barracks. During their work, the women socialize and can share their ups and downs.

When the tsunami hit their hometown, Ida and Sudiman tried to escape. But they and their motorcycle were swept up in the waves, which traveled as far as five kilometers inland.

At the barracks, Ida received medical treatment from YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), another ACT member in Indonesia. Staff from a YEU mobile clinic visited her regularly for three months until she regained her health.

Although they were receiving sufficient food and medicine, Ida and Sudiman were yearning to return to work and did not want depend on assistance from aid organizations. They wanted to be self-determined and earn their own money again.

Sudiman was equally eager to return to work. He discussed his situation with some friends in the barracks. Together they approached YTBI's field officer to form a group of fish vendors. They named their group "Bacut-bacut," which means "little by little."

First, Ida is pregnant. "I am still waiting for my wife to bear our child here. It is difficult to get a doctor or midwife in our village. It's easier to get medical service here because YEU regularly visits and gives us free medical treatment in our barrack," said Sudiman. When the baby is born, the couple will also have a newly completed house, which is under construction now by another relief agency.

In the past 18 months, the family has experienced so much. But little by little, they are putting the parts of their lives back together and working toward their future.

Tsunami response index