Community members supporting prosthetic care.
Step4Hope began with a simple belief: mobility should not depend on a person's income. Our story follows the people, families, and supporters who turn care into movement. Each contribution helps someone return to their daily routine, work, school, and/or community life with more confidence.
Viriya with the Social Services Department of Solo during Step4Hope, Solo, Indonesia.
Pak Sugeng with Step4Hope volunteers during a prosthetic fitting session in Solo, Indonesia.
PARTNERING WITH SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS
Sugeng Siswoyudono (60) lost his right leg in a traffic accident. His right leg was amputated below the knee. The Palembang, South Sumatra born man recounted this painful memory that occurred in 1981. He was hit by a truck on the Mojokerto bypass while riding his motorcycle to an arts appreciation event at his school.
Sugeng, who was only 18 at the time, was given a prosthetic leg by his parents so he could continue his education until he graduated from high school. However, the prosthetic leg broke. At the time, such devices were extremely expensive. Therefore, when he had broken his second prosthetic leg as well, he decided to make his own.
Armed with this new self-made artificial limb he made after graduating from high school, Sugeng sold cow’s milk from stall to stall and house to house. In between, he also self-taught his prosthetic leg making skills, gradually improving.
Thanks to his persistence, this now father-of-four has a prosthetic leg workshop –established in 1995 -- that gives new hope to people with disabilities. This workshop specializes in repairing and manufacturing prosthetic legs.
Source : detikjatim Sunday 19 June 2022
THE WE – GOTONG ROYONG
I spent my high school in the United States but my roots are in Indonesia. I find myself thinking about my childhood and the Indonesian community and the Javanese culture. Gotong Royong is close to my heart. Knowing that one single action can make a difference for many. It’s the “we” and not “me”.