For almost two decades, Justince Parasi, a 66-year-old woman affectionately known as Ince, has stood as the unwavering backbone of her family in Barangka-Pehe Village, Tagulandang. In a landscape marked by limited opportunities, she has dedicated herself to the grueling work of plantation labor, often toiling under the relentless sun to provide for her children. Each drop of sweat is a testament to her fierce determination to carve out a better life for them.

Yet the path she walks is fraught with challenges. As a single mother, Ince has faced the weight of social stigma and the harsh realities of financial instability, often finding herself living paycheck to paycheck. Despite these adversities, she remains a beacon of strength for her children, instilling in them the values of perseverance and hard work teaching them to rise above the circumstances they were born into.

 

The Eruption: A Night of Despair

On the fateful night of 17 April 2024, the earth trembled beneath her feet as Mount Ruang erupted, casting a dark cloud of ash and debris into the sky. The mountain had already shown its wrath, but this time it posed a direct and horrifying threat. Panic swept through the village, and Ince found herself engulfed in fear and uncertainty, her heart racing with dread for her grandchildren's safety.

Amidst the chaos, her neighbors rallied to help and guided her and her grandchildren to the safe place in the mountains to get away from the looming danger. As they fled, tears streamed down her face—a poignant blend of fear for her life and despair for the future of her family. The thought of losing everything she had worked tirelessly was unbearable, and the weight of worry pressed heavily on her heart.

 

"Let's take shelter here first, Mama. Then, if the situation gets worse, let's move to Mohonsawang," suggested her son, who had evacuated to the plantation. Ince agreed, they took shelter there, though it was only temporarily. As the weather got better, Ince, her son, and grandson returned home to prepare their belongings. However, the mountain showed signs of further eruptions, accompanied by aftershocks and dark skies. Instead of fleeing to Mohonsawang, the family chose to run to Mulengen for a safer shelter.

In Mulengen, the government advised them to find a safer place to live. The government led Ince and her family to take shelter under the roof of the GMIST Church in Barangka-Pehe, along with other neighbors who had also evacuated.

 

A Desperate Escape

On the night of 29 April 2024, Mount Ruang again showed extreme activity, marked by increasingly powerful earthquakes. Finally, Ince, her youngest child, and grandchildren returned to safety, their destination Mohonsawang. In the early hours of 30 April, an even bigger explosion rattled the earth. The local government instructed for a safer evacuation, offering two locations: Siau Island and Manado City (in the mainland of Sulawesi). Ince chose to evacuate to Siau with her two grandchildren, bringing with only the clothes on their backs and ten thousand rupiah in her wallet.

As they sailed from Tagulandang to Siau, Ince's grandchildren cried for candy and snacks. Reluctantly, Ince could only ask them to be patient and focus on ensuring their safety amidst the bustling crowd on board the rescue boat.

Upon arrival in Siau, the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sitaro government offered shelter and food to Ince and other displaced people. However, Ince declined the assistance, requesting instead to be taken to her son’s house in Siau. For a month, they stayed together, going through the aftermath of the eruption. Each day was a testament to their resilience, yet anxiety lingered in the air. Ince's thoughts often drifted to the condition of her home, now distant and uncertain, located on another island far from their shelter.

The Return to Ruins

When it came time to return to Tagulandang, Ince clung to a hope that her home could still stand. However, upon arrival, she was greeted with a heart-wrenching sight: her home, once a haven of love, had become a dusty, unlivable structure. The volcanic eruption had sent rocks crashing through the roof, leaving gaping holes and shells in its wake.

Standing amidst the debris, Ince felt a profound sadness wash over her. The walls that had once echoed with laughter now resonated with silence and the dreams she had nurtured felt shattered. Yet even in these moments of despair, she understood that while the physical structure of her home may have been hollowed out, the love and bond she shares with her family remained unbroken.

"When I returned home, my tears flowed away as I looked at the devastation before me," Ince Parasi recounted, her voice trembled with emotion. "The once vibrant walls of my house were now cloaked in a thick layer of volcanic ash, and my roof had gaping holes, with the kitchen area on the brink of collapse from the relentless assault of rocks."

Ince grappling with the harsh reality of her situation. "I cried, considering the financial limitations that weigh heavily on my shoulders. How can I possibly restore my home?" she lamented, her heart aching with despair.

Yet in that moment of vulnerability, her son stepped forward, offering hope. "It's okay, Mama," he reassured her gently. "Surely, we will get help from good people." His words, though simple, carried the weight of love and support, reminding Ince that even in the darkest of times, she was not alone.

Not only did Ince have to accept the condition of her home, but she also grappled with the grief of losing her livelihood. As she walked through her familiar surroundings, each step became a silent prayer, hoping against hope that her life's work still existed. The clove and nutmeg trees, once her pride and joy, had been scorched and broken, victims of the mountain's ferocity. The fire had consumed the harvest of her labor, leaving behind dry, burnt trees and barren soil—a haunting reminder of what could have been.

 

Ray of Hope: Trusting in God’s Plan

As Ince surveyed the devastation around her, she was overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions. The sadness of losing everything she had worked so hard on has weighed heavily on her heart, and she questioned how she would ever recover. Yet, even in the face of such adversity, Ince's faith in God remained steadfast. She turned to prayer, seeking solace in the embrace of her faith. Ince's unwavering belief allowed her to see beyond her immediate struggles, drawing strength from scripture that reminded her of God’s promises. 

"There were several efforts that our family made, and everything seemed to return to normal," Ince reflected, her voice a blend of gratitude and emotion. "Suddenly, representatives from the Village Government arrived at our home, informing us that assistance would be distributed to us." This news washed over Ince and her family like a gentle rain after a long drought, filling their hearts with overwhelming gratitude.

"The aid may be small," she continued, "but it is more than enough for us. Usually, when we sleep at night, raindrops seep in through the holes in the roof, which we have covered with a tarpaulin. Sometimes, when the wind blows from the south, our tarpaulin lifts, allowing dust and sand to invade our space." Ince’s words painted a vivid picture of their struggle, a testament to the resilience of a family weathering the storm together.

Yet amidst the challenges, a glimmer of hope emerged. The village officials brought joyful news, that YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU) would distribute shelter kits, carefully packed in sacks containing ropes, tarpaulins, blankets, and mats. Ince recalled the moment with a sense of wonder, explaining how she utilized the items from the shelter kits with utmost care.

"The tarpaulin and rope have been used to cover specific areas of the roof, especially the kitchen, which connects to the bedroom," she shared. "Now, when I sleep, I no longer worry about raindrops hitting me." The mat, too, became a symbol of comfort; it replaced her damaged mattress, which had suffered under the weight of ash and gravel from the eruption.

Ince's gratitude extended beyond the tangible aid she received. "These favors were not merely the result of human strength and might," she reflected, her eyes glistening with tears. "They were manifestations of God's intervention in our lives." These words resonated deeply within her, reinforcing her belief that God was working for her good, even amidst the pain.

Rebuilding with Resilience

With each passing day, Ince gathered her strength, determined to rise above the challenges that lay before her. Healing would take time, but her spirit remained unbroken. Guided by her faith, she took one step at a time, embracing the uncertainty of the future with newfound resilience. With God by her side, alongside with community and government, Ince weathered the storm, emerging stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Her story is not merely one of loss; it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. As she begins the arduous task of rebuilding her life, she draws on the resilience that has defined her journey as a single mother and survivor. Ince's experience highlights the struggles faced by older people and single mothers everywhere, who often carry the weight of their families on their shoulders.

Through her journey, Ince teaches us about the power of trust in God's plan, resilience, love, and the unwavering desire to create a better future. In her heart, she knows that while the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, the bonds of family and the spirit of perseverance will guide her through the darkest of times. Ince's journey is a poignant reminder that even amidst the ashes of despair, hope can bloom anew, and love can light the way forward.

 

Author: Tarisa Putri Adang - Information and Communication Staff in Tagulandang.