Human Aid Initiative Helped to Fundraise for Victims of Lombok Earthquake
London – Human Aid Initiative (HAI) raised funds for victims of Lombok earthquake, in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), by opening a stall at the Indonesian community gathering at the residence of the Indonesian ambassador in London on Saturday, the 11th of August 2018.
Various cakes, drinks, candy floss and face painting were provided at the stall. Visitors were able to contribute any amount of money and choose to get food and drink or their face painted with the Garuda logo or the Indonesian flag symbol (white and red).
“The painting of the Garuda and the flag was chosen because the gathering was held to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of Indonesia’s independence,” said HAI’s treasurer Mrs. Nurmilah Nusbar. “It turns out that the face painting with the Garuda and the flag is very popular, not only among children but also adults,” Nurmilah said.
The stall was crowded with children and adults who like to get their faces painted. The queue lined up from time to time until the whole program finished. “We are happy to see the enthusiasm and generosity of the visitors to contribute to the earthquake victims in Lombok through our organisation, Human Aid Initiative,” Nurmilah added.
Some Indonesians who donated donations through HAI said that they wanted to help alleviate the burden of the fellow citizens in Lombok. “I have been thinking to contribute and luckily this gathering really helped to meet up with others. I am glad to see a charity organisation like the Human Aid Initiative who can help me to distribute my donation,” said Siti.
In addition, visitors could also transfer their donations to the Human Aid Initiative bank account. The Lombok earthquake has so far resulted in at least 387 deaths and caused more than 380,000 people have to stay in temporary shelters. The earthquake also caused damage to tens of thousands of houses.
The HAI’s treasurer, Nurmilah Nusbar, said that “we launched the fundraising immediately after the earthquake and sent our first donation to our overseas partner in Indonesia, PKPU Human Initiative who has been in the field since day one.
Human Aid Initiative received a donation of £500 or equivalent to 9.2 million rupiah from the sale in this event. This does not include the donations that were sent by bank transfer.
Donations for earthquake victims in Lombok are one of a number of programs being run by HAI. Other programs include Sponsor a Child for the orphans and poor, also Community Empowerment Program such as water wells, sanitation, small business grant scheme and integrated village industry in several countries in Asia and and Africa. *