NTT, WBN — A magnitude 7.7 tectonic earthquake that struck Flores Island on August 15, 2026—followed by an aftershock a week later—brought deep sorrow to the residents of Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
Amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings, hope for the continuity of the disaster victims’ children’s education emerged through a quiet humanitarian initiative.
One such story comes from Imelda Wea (64), a resident of Doka Hamlet in Radabata Village, Golewa District, Ngada Regency. The house inherited from her late husband had collapsed completely during an aftershock in the early hours of Monday, August 24, 2026.
For Imelda, losing her home was not the only heavy burden weighing on her heart. She was consumed by deep anxiety regarding the future of her youngest daughter, Karlina Rau (23), who is currently in her third semester of a Diploma III Midwifery program at Bhakti Kencana University in Semarang, Central Java.
Although Karlina attends university on a KIP-Kuliah scholarship and lives in a dormitory, her monthly living expenses remain Imelda’s responsibility. Until now, Imelda has supported herself and covered her daughter’s needs by selling limited quantities of pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and coffee.
The earthquake instantly severed this small family’s means of survival. “I no longer know how to send money for her meals. Our house has collapsed; we have nothing left,” Imelda said while sitting in a makeshift evacuation tent on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Educational Assistance
Imelda’s heartbreaking story, which had been reported in the media, ultimately drew the attention of the Dian Flores Indonesia Foundation. This social organization, based in Kampung Borani Langa, Ngada Regency, immediately went to the site to meet Imelda amidst the ruins of her home on Sunday (August 30, 2026).
Florianus Lengu, Chairperson of the Dian Flores Indonesia Foundation, presented a cash donation to cover Karlina’s monthly living and transportation expenses in Semarang. This initiative was taken to ensure that her midwifery studies would not be interrupted amidst the disaster emergency.
“We learned of Mrs. Imelda’s situation after reading media reports about the impact on her daughter’s education. We are here to help alleviate the costs associated with her daughter’s studies in Semarang. Moving forward, we are committed to continuing to monitor her educational progress,” said Florianus.
During the visit, Florianus was accompanied by Saskia Schwarz, a donor representative from Germany. Having witnessed firsthand the scale of the post-earthquake damage, Saskia called upon social advocates and international donors to extend their solidarity to the affected communities on Flores Island.
She emphasized that the restoration of essential aspects—such as the education of children affected by the disaster—must be a top priority.
The Dian Flores Indonesia Foundation has been active in humanitarian missions since its establishment in 2016 by Florianus Lengu.
The organization focuses on providing educational support and funding for university students who are orphans or from underprivileged families in the Flores region, operating independently and without seeking publicity.
Amidst the limitations of the evacuation shelters, this aid came as an answer to Imelda’s prayers. At the very least, the family’s anchor of hope—escaping poverty through education—remains intact.
“Thank you, God. Thank you, Mr. Florianus, Ms. Saskia, and the Dian Flores Indonesia Foundation, for easing the burden on our family. We cannot repay all this kindness; we can only offer our prayers. May you always be healthy and successful,” said Imelda Wea, overcome with emotion and tears.
WBN Press
