A Father's Sweat, A Child's Prayer, and A Meeting That Changed Everything

Medan City, North Sumatra—(13/05/25) The scorching afternoon heat did not stop the determined steps of a father pushing his old bicycle, heavily loaded with scrap metal. Jestham, who happened to pass by, was stunned by the unusual sight. Beside him, a 5-year-old toddler had faithfully accompanied his father since the age of 1. Exhaustion was evident on the man's face, yet his determination to provide for his family never wavered. When asked, it turned out they had not eaten anything that afternoon because the income from collecting scrap was still insufficient. Jestham’s heart ached—how could a father and his young child struggle so hard just for a simple meal?

The touching conversation revealed that the man's wife was also working, selling goods to support the family. "His mother is out selling," he said briefly, glancing at his son. Yet, life remained difficult. Earnings from collecting scrap—only Rp3,500 per kilogram of cleaned scrap—were clearly not enough to meet the family’s needs.

Witnessing this, Jestham couldn’t stay silent. Moved with compassion, she took out some money from her wallet. "Sir, this is a blessing from God. I hope it can help your family," she said while shaking the father’s calloused hand, weathered by the sun and the harshness of his work.

A Father's Struggle to Provide for His Child

The father’s reaction was deeply touching. His eyes welled up as he received the help. "This is the first time I’ve ever received assistance this generous," he said in a trembling voice. He planned to use part of the money to buy food and save the rest for his child’s school expenses. "He’s starting school this year," he shared with hope.

The interaction with the child, Akaya, became the most memorable moment. Innocently, the little boy introduced himself, "My name is Akaya!" and shared that his friends called him "Abang" (Big Brother). Jestham smiled at the cheerful spirit that still shone on the young boy’s face despite their humble life.

Jestham realized that behind life’s busyness, there are countless untold stories of struggle deserving attention. The story of this scrap collector and his family taught her that a father’s love and sacrifice can be the greatest strength in facing life’s hardships. May this small act of kindness be the start of a meaningful change. As Jestham reflected, "Blessings may come from unexpected places, but what matters most is a heart that remains open to sharing."