My Town's Face as the Great Attack of Merapi’s Eruption

Bantul – Yogyakarta, “I was surprised when my grapes tree was full of the dust at that morning” Marginah (51) said. Marginah is Tiyan is one of the students of UGM who experiences the great eruption of Merapi in 2010. First, she does not realize that Merapi’s eruption would reach Bantul as the distance between Bantul and Merapi, Sleman, are too far. “That morning the dust rained very heavy and was thick enough on the grapes’ leaf.” Marginah described. “Moreover, I had to use the masker if I went out of my house otherwise I would less breath.”

Still, Marginah and her daughter, Tiyan, did not believe that the dust where came from Merapi. Then, Tiyan, a student of English Literature of UGM asked her friends about what happened. “My daughter got the message from her friend that the class was cancelled because the campus was used for evacuation shelter.” She tried to remember. “Even, the campus was also full of the dust because of the eruption of Merapi.” She explained.

Again, Marginah could not believe that Merapi’s eruption also attacked Bantul. She collected the information from the mass media to now the newest condition of the disaster. After that she decided to survey several places that were struck by the dust. “I went to somewhere but also the dust was full everywhere” She smiled. “Huh,,I really knew that Merapi’s eruption was really attack my town and made Bantul was very dirty and grey”.

On the TV she watched that the victim of this disaster was pitiful. Even, there were many children and old people who were sick and need a help. Finally, she initiated to collect the clothes, that were not used, and foods to be donated to them. “I asked Tiyan to send it to Gelanggang UGM in order to be distributed to the victims.” She asserted.

From this disaster, Marginah learned that God always gave the positive message in every disaster for everyone. “I realize that Merapi’s eruption leads to be a helpful person.” She smiled

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