Journey to Aceh

As a journalist, I was lucky to witness historical events which occurred in Aceh after the Tsunami in 26 December 2004. This was the biggest disaster in the history of modern civilization. It is a tremendous honor to be a part of the testimonials on this ultimate event.

After I have thought back about it, I realized I have experienced a lot of magical things. I never understand. How could I be strong enough to go to Aceh, which during that time, was under very chaotic situation? How could I be strong enough to be in the ‘Tanah Nanggroe’ for more than a year during the intense situation?

A few days after the Tsunami, all alone I went to Adam Air’s representative office -the airline was officially closed in 2008. I requested free seats to send 15 volunteers coordinated by Tempo.

I took an ojek motorbike to get to Adam Air’s office, which that time, was at a shophouse, at a narrow street near Cengkareng. A place I had never been before.

I faced the bosses of Adam Air all by myself. They stared surprisingly at me. “What do you think you can do?” they asked, despising me. It was a normal question. I have never joined a nature club, I do not posses any wilderness survival skills, and I am not a brave person at all. I do not have much money either. I am just an ordinary person.

Then suddenly, all doors seemed to open. I believed there was a magical power that made everything ran smoothly. Eventually, I went to Aceh, leading a group of volunteer “McGyvers” from Tempo.

Next, I witnessed post-disaster dramas. There was history in the making around and right in front of me. Therefore, I was determined to perpetuate the growth of Aceh’s history as much as I could.

Every night I made notes. Sometimes on my notebook, sometimes on my old laptop. One time when I was typing a note on my laptop, the electricity went off and my friend spilled coffee on the keyboard. I was very sad. Fortunately, my laptop could be saved and so did my notes.

In the late December 2005, in the first anniversary of Tsunami, pieces of stories that I experienced were published in a book titled “Sejarah Tumbuh di Kampung Kami” (History Grows in Our Kampong).

A few weeks ago, a best friend of mine, a photographer poet, Henry C. Widjaja, extracted my journey. According to him, what I did in Aceh was a proof that intentions are magnets.

“Intention works like magnet, it attracts what we needs, that’s the way we met. A friend indeed,” Henry said. During that conversation in a gloomy afternoon, Henry kindly took a photo of me to be uploaded on this website.

So that is what happened. My good intention is welcomed by the universe. There were many of my best friends and philanthropists who helped me going through the obstacles during my journey in Aceh.

“Journey to Aceh” was established by the magnet of good intentions. My best friends have been working hard to help me. They are Avi Mahaningtyas, who initiated ideas, and Dwi Rahardiani, who worked really hard on managing the flow of the program. There is also Dudi Gurnadi Kartasasmita, who designed the whole system of this website together with Nurudin Jauhari and Aris Bangun Wismo Aji. The graphic design of the e-book was done by Catharina Dwihastarini.

Eric Grigorian, a photojournalist who won the 2002 World Press Photo, also shared his fantastic photo collections on this e-book and blog.

Through this website, I sincerely present you “Sejarah Tumbuh di Kampung Kami” in e-book format –in both English and Bahasa Indonesia. Feel free to download it. I would be delighted if you would share this e-book with your friends and relatives.

Happy reading!