Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi's Warm Hug For Ellen Nainggolan Who Lost Her Parents To COVID-19

Mayor of Surabaya Eri Cahyadi/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

SURABAYA - The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lot of deep pain, especially among children whose parents died due to the new type of corona virus.

Ellen, one of the children in Surabaya, seems to be feeling this as well. Ellen doesn't seem to be able to fully understand because at the age of three, she has been abandoned forever by her parents. At that age, he was already an orphan.

Eldiaz Nainggolan, the father of Ellen, is known to have died on July 3, 2021. Then on July 7, 2021, her mother, Cristina Margereta, also passed away. The husband and wife couples died after being exposed to COVID-19.

"It's sad. It's hard for us to imagine that a three-year-old child can bear. An only child, who in four days had to lose both parents," said Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, while visiting Ellen, quoted by Antara, Monday, August 23.

At that time, the mayor of the city, Eri Cahyadi and his wife Rini Indriyani, who is also the Chair of the Surabaya PKK Mobilization Team, took the time to visit Ellen's residence. Eri Cahyadi and his wife brought Ellen's favorite toys, stationery and snacks. They talked and accompanied Elen to play.

Eri and his wife tried to cheer her up with the toy. Even though she is well aware that her father and mother, who have passed away due to COVID-19, will not be replaced in Elen's heart.

At that time, Ellen remembered her mother who liked to sing Western songs. That's why Ellen likes to speak English. When playing with Mayor Eri and wife, Ellen is also fluent in English.

Missing her father who diligently invited her to play. Missing her mother who often asked her to practice singing. Everything must be indescribable in the heart of Ellen, who now lives with her grandmother.

When Eri Cahyadi and his wife were about to say goodbye, Ellen gave them a tight hug. Eri also responded by hugging her warmly. For Eri, Ellen seems to remind her not to let children like Elen who have to be left by their parents during this pandemic period alone.

"I held back my tears as hard as I could. I don't want Ellen to cry again. I can only pray for you, stay healthy and stay strong, Surabaya's great children", he said.

Therefore, Mayor Eri is increasingly committed to continuing to care for and accompany the children who were abandoned by their parents due to COVID-19.

He ensured that the rights of children who were abandoned by their parents due to the impact of COVID-19 in the City of Heroes would be fulfilled.

For this reason, the Surabaya City Government has prepared scholarships up to college for children whose parents have left them in this difficult time.

Based on data from the Surabaya City Government, there are around 1,400 families who died due to COVID-19. Of this number, around 600 families have been verified by the Surabaya Population Control, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP5A), while the rest, until now, the city government is still collecting data.

He also asked all residents of Surabaya City to report if there are such orphans who have not been surveyed by the city government. The report can be submitted to the village or sub-district head in their respective areas, so that the child can be immediately recorded.

Children's dorm

Not only that, the Surabaya City Government is ready to build a dormitory for children whose parents have been left behind due to exposure to COVID-19.

"There (the dormitory), we can monitor their progress", said Mayor Eri.

In addition, the municipal government also guarantees their education up to university level. For Eri, these children are future leaders of the nation, so the city government will fight for their future.

To that end, the children could stay in the dorms if they wanted. However, for children who do not want to live in the dormitory, the Surabaya City Government will still guarantee their education to completion.

In fact, not only education, but how they will all have the skills to be able to compete in the future.

Acting (Plt) Head of the Surabaya Population Control, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (DP5A) Office, Antik Sugiharti added, the city government will ensure that children's rights are fulfilled, such as the right to education, right to care and right to health.

Antique ensures that they can still get a proper education. Of course their health is also, they must get health intervention, including the right to care, they must have a family who can care for, protect and look after.

They must have a family that can nurture, protect and care for them. If not, then the city government will provide a place (dormitory) where the child can live.

If there are Surabaya residents who want to help and even want to be foster parents for the children, they can go directly to the DP5A Surabaya office or call the 112 call center or hotline at 08113345303.