A Heartbreaking Tale by the Roadside: The Journey of a Scavenger Father Unseen by His Family

Medan Marelan, Medan City—(04/03/25) The scorching afternoon sun blazed relentlessly, as if testing the resilience of every soul struggling beneath its heat. Amid the sweltering weather, Jestham encountered an elderly man laboriously pushing his battered bicycle. Hanging from its basket was a pile of collected scraps—bottles, cardboard, and cans—his only means of survival. His frail body and deeply wrinkled face told the story of a life filled with hardship. Yet behind it all, there was an unyielding spirit that refused to be extinguished.

Mr. Tukimin, A Fighter in the Midst of Life

The man’s name was Tukimin. He shared that he once worked at a sugar factory, but fate had other plans. A workplace accident left him unable to continue his job. "I was hit—my bones were exposed," he whispered. Since then, he had turned to scavenging, painstakingly gathering recyclables to sell. "When sold, it’s only Rp200 per kilogram," he said. The meager earnings could barely buy him a decent meal, let alone sustain his livelihood.

But financial struggles were not his only burden. His family, who should have been his refuge, had abandoned him. "My wife left, and my children refuse to see me," he uttered bitterly. He had two sons and two daughters, all married, yet none cared for him. When he visited, they treated him like a beggar. "They said I only came to ask for money, when all I wanted was to see them," he added, his voice trembling.

Despite life’s bitterness, Tukimin held firmly to his faith. He recalled how he used to pray devoutly, but now he could no longer do so—his prayer cap, sarong, and mat had been stolen. "I left them with my belongings, and they disappeared," he lamented. Still, he made an effort to cleanse himself and wear clean clothes before Maghrib prayer, even if only with what little he had. "Prayer guides me. Without it, I wouldn’t have sustenance," he said with quiet conviction.

Listening to his story, Jestham could not hold back his emotions. He offered Tukimin what little he could spare. "Sir, this donation is a blessing from God. "Use it for food or to buy prayer supplies," he said. Tukimin accepted it with tearful gratitude, thanking heaven for aid in his time of need. Jestham encouraged him to stay strong and never cease praying. "God’s help will come, sir. What matters is that you remain patient and grateful."

Behind his suffering, Tukimin was a man of perseverance. Every dawn until afternoon, he spent time in the mosque, praying and remembering God, seeking solace amid life’s trials. Before parting, Jestham reassured him once more. "Stay strong, sir. Your children and wife will realize their mistake one day. What matters is that you remain healthy and never lose hope in God." Tukimin nodded, his eyes glimmering with quiet hope.

In life’s relentless heat, God always finds a way to extend His hand through the kindness of moved hearts. No matter how fierce life’s storms may be, as long as we remember Him, He will never let us struggle alone. Like Tukimin, stand firm—for behind every hardship, a miracle is being prepared.