Many individuals face challenges in life due to physical disabilities that hinder them from achieving their aspirations and participating actively in society. However, some individuals choose not to give up and take their disability as a challenge to demonstrate their determination to overcome such exceptional circumstances.
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Ruwayda and Sardi’s story
Ruwayda and Sardi lost their sight early on, but their determination, keen insight, and boldness helped them overcome this obstacle to achieve a better life and dignified living. They both suffer from compound weakness. Loss of sight and weak physical and financial capabilities. Despite this, they achieved success with determination and created a beautiful life. They succeeded in their professional lives, creating a family and raising their children.
A difficult journey
Sarah was born in July 1973 in Aceh Besar, while Sardi was born in June of the same year in Sianantar, North Sumatra. They came to this life with special needs, facing traditions that did not make their life easy. A child with special needs is considered a sign of bad luck, and their families did not want to bear this social burden, so they both went through the experience of parental separation. Ruwaida’s father divorced his wife, and the burden and responsibility of caring for Ruwaida fell on her mother. Sadri’s father also separated from his wife, and the two blind people began a journey of suffering and social anxiety.
The journey of starting a family
Due to poverty and disability, Ruwaida was unable to complete her education and stopped at the primary stage, while Sadri was able to complete the preparatory stage. But only coincidence brought them together in one workplace, and they shared similar circumstances, worries, and suffering. After a trip from work, they decided to get married and fulfill their dream of having children who would help them. They married in March 2003 in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra. They had their first child in December 2003. They left their workplace and went to Aceh but did not find work. They left for the capital of Aceh province and started a small business, raising ducks, selling their eggs and meat, and selling snacks. Their income was insufficient to cover the rental costs, so they had to pay the expenses in installments. Even then, they faced many problems because their income was unstable.
Helping hand
In 2010, Qatar Charity’s Aceh branch intervened to support a family that faced many challenges, providing them with various types of assistance.
Sardi says: “Thank God, we are very grateful to Qatar Charity since it provided sponsorship for my family in October 2010, and until now, our lives have become easier, and the burdens have eased on us.”
The couple expressed their overwhelming happiness at having three children without birth defects and were determined to educate them so that they could reach university and live a decent life and a better future.
Ruwaida says: “Our three children were born without physical disabilities, thank God. So, we are as determined as we can to make them not experience our suffering. The only way is good education and sponsorship from a generous donor in the State of Qatar so that we can use it to rent the house and cover the costs of education.”
Making a difference
Sardi and Ruwayda are passionate about helping their community and friends with special needs. They engaged in teaching computer skills to the disabled through a specialized institution. Sardi has been appointed as a computer teacher for the blind in Aceh in a number of institutions. He is now the president of the Indonesian Blind Association, Aceh branch, while Ruwayda is treasurer of the Association of Women with Special Needs in Indonesia, Banda Aceh branch.
