Surviving on 30,000 a Day: The Touching Story of a Father’s Struggle to Feed His Family

Pulo Brayan, Medan City—(02/22/25) As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jestham crossed paths with an elderly man whose body was bowed by the weight of life. On his rickety old bicycle, he pedaled slowly, carrying a small child—a scene that hid countless untold stories behind its weary lines. Without hesitation, Jestham approached him, and from their brief conversation emerged a life sustained by just 30,000 rupiah a day, money stretched between milk for his grandchild and a simple meal to keep himself going.

Enduring Life’s Hardships, For the Sake of a Beloved Grandchild

With a hoarse voice, the man shared how he had taken on the role of his son, who had left for Padang in search of work. Every day, he scavenged for scraps, collecting discarded items others deemed worthless, painstakingly earning coin by coin. The meager 30,000 rupiah he managed to gather often vanished just to buy milk—the only luxury he could afford for his grandchild.

Hearing this, Jestham was overcome with emotion. "Sir, today I’ve been blessed by God. Let’s buy your household essentials, alright?" she offered. The man fell silent for a moment, his eyes glistening. "This is the first time I’ve ever received such kindness," he whispered, as if unable to believe that helping hands could lighten his burden. Together, they walked to a nearby minimarket, where Jestham gathered essentials one by one: rice, cooking oil, eggs, diapers, soap, snacks, and the formula milk his grandchild relied on.

Amid the shopping bags, the man opened up further. His tiny home sheltered seven people—his wife, children, grandchildren, and himself. Some days, their meals consisted only of salted fish and kangkung (water spinach) picked from the fields. "There was a time I fell ill, and no one could put food on the table," he recalled, his voice trembling. Yet, through the bitterness, he never stopped kneeling in prayer, pleading, "O Allah, grant me sustenance and health for my family."

Before parting ways, Jestham slipped him extra money. The man broke into tears, whispering prayers of gratitude as he hugged his grandchild tightly. "May God reward your kindness," he said, his voice thick with sincerity. In his eyes flickered a rekindled hope—a reminder that even in life’s harshest trials, goodness always finds a way to bloom.

Behind his weary frame and battered bicycle, this father taught us the true meaning of resilience: life may be humble, but the spirit to endure must never fade. May God forever open doors of provision for you, dear Father, strengthen your body, and comfort your heart with His aid in every hardship. Keep fighting, for beyond every ounce of your exhaustion, paradise awaits.