Indonesian students collect toys to aid elderly independence fighter ahead of national holiday

In a small alley in Lemabang, Palembang, lives Kakek Surip, an elderly man whose body is stooped and hair is white. Despite his age, his eyes still sparkle when he speaks of his youth. He told a young visitor, Nadhif, that he was not always a becak (pedicab) driver. "I was a fighter, son. When the Dutch wanted to come back to Palembang in 1947, I fought for five days and five nights," Kakek Surip recounted, pointing towards the Musi River.

Nadhif, a second-grader at SDIT Bina Ilmi Lemabang, was deeply moved by Kakek Surip's story and his current struggles. The veteran, who once fought for Indonesia's independence, now relies on odd jobs like cutting grass and cleaning yards to buy rice. Seeing Kakek Surip's trembling hands holding a small hoe, Nadhif felt compelled to help.

The following day, Nadhif gathered his classmates, Emir, Baldat, Afnan, Fatih, and Qianno. He shared Kakek Surip's story, explaining that the veteran who fought the Dutch was now in hardship. Nadhif proposed an idea: they would collect their used toys, sell them, and give the money to Kakek Surip for Indonesia's 81st Independence Day.

Inspired, the children enthusiastically offered their toys. Emir had a toy car, Afnan a doll, Fatih a puzzle, and Qianno an action figure. They planned to start collecting and cleaning the toys immediately, aiming to sell them in front of the school after classes. Nadhif's mother helped them create small posters that read: "Used Toys Sale - For a Veteran." Their teacher, upon seeing their efforts, praised them for honoring the heroes' sacrifices through tangible action.

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Nak Nadhif, dulu Kakek bukan cuma menarik becak. Kakek pejuang, Nak. Waktu Belanda mau datang lagi ke Palembang tahun 1947, Kakek ikut bertempur lima hari lima malam. Bersama teman-teman, Kakek bela tanah ini supaya jadi milik kita, milik Indonesia.