Aid in Action

A Volunteer Making a Difference

Yogyakarta | Friday, June 09, 2006

 

Sri Mulyati has a husband, four children, and a full-time job as a nurse at the Jakarta International School. But that did not keep her from volunteering to help the survivors of the devastating Yogyakarta-Central Java earthquake. On May 29th, just two days after the earthquake struck, Nurse Sri traveled fifteen hours by car to the Bantul District outside of Yogyakarta. She immediately put her nursing skills to use by tending to the injured at the U.S. Military field hospital established that same day at Sewon Stadium in Bantul.

Over the past ten days, Nurse Sri has treated many earthquake survivors suffering from broken limbs, chest trauma, and head injuries. Her experience as a school nurse – and as a mother of four boys – prepared her for the youngest victims of the earthquake who often required extra attention to keep them calm so proper medical treatment could be administered. In explaining her reasons for rushing to Bantul in the earthquake’s aftermath, Nurse Sri said: “a feeling came from deep within my heart to join those who wanted to help the survivors.”

Dozens of Indonesian volunteers like Nurse Sri are serving as doctors, nurses, and translators throughout the earthquake-affected areas. The presence of these volunteers at the U.S. Military field hospital increases its capacity and reassures patients who might otherwise struggle to communicate effectively with the 175 American medical and support personnel.

USAID is providing transportation assistance and medical supplies to the U.S. Military field hospital at Sewon Stadium. The field hospital will continue offering medical services through June 10th, having treated nearly 1,800 patients as of June 8th. The field hospital’s success in reaching so many residents of Bantul would not have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of Indonesian volunteers such as Nurse Sri.