PRAMUKA.ID – Thousands of Indonesia Scout GERAKAN PRAMUKA’s Rovers, Senior Rovers, and adult members are on the streets on this last few days to give advice and guidance to millions of Indonesians in the big cities who travels to their hometowns for Eid al-Fitr celebrations which falls on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2022.
These actions are conducted in several provinces under the tagline of “Karya Bakti Lebaran” or Social Works Devoted for Eid al-Fitr and has created a very strong social impacts to the society.
Eid al-Fitr is the biggest celebrations of the Islamic calendar, which celebrated around the world including in Indonesia, a country with the single largest population of Muslims, around 86% of the 272 million population, which on its own hosts 12.4% of the world’s 1.9 billion Muslims population.
Eid translates to “the feast of breaking the fast” in Arabic, Eid al Fitr concludes the holy month of fasting and prayer known as Ramadan.
Following improvement in the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia through the implementation vaccinations especially the 2nd and 3rd doses or boosters, the government has decided to relax public activity restrictions, and this year of 2022 for the first time after pandemic, government allows Eid homecoming known as “mudik”. COVID-19 pandemic has made Indonesians postpned their “mudik” traditions for almost three years already.
Government predicts that there are 85 million travelers who will return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their families. Of this number, 14 million of them are from the capital city of Greater Jakarta area alone. Almost half or 47% of the travelers will be on their own using private vehicles, including sedan, mini-van and even motorcycle.
Social Works Devoted For Eid Al-Fitr
Rovers (age 16 to 20), Senior Rovers (age 21 to 26), and adult Scout members (leaders and trainers) are doing social works devoted for Eid al-Fitr to provide these Eid gifts for the travelers and their children because we want them to feel welcome and happy on Eid.
Any volunteer with any skills or any small amount of spare time would make a huge difference to the travelers, including accompanying police officers in directing traffic, helping the elderly when boarding train or buses, getting on ship or checking in the airports, and railway stations.
The assistance also covers accompaniment of family bringing many bags or children, giving first aid to accident victim, protection against criminal acts, ensure travelers to know their rights and get the help they need, and other assistances which relates to the Scout laws and promises, explained Mr. Budi Waseso, a retired Commissioner General of Police who is the Chief Commissioner of Indonesia Scout GERAKAN PRAMUKA.
The Scout volunteers are deployed in busy bus terminals, seaports, airports, or highway’s rest areas and get ready for assistance.
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Story compiled by Brata T. Hardjosubroto, National Commissioner