Have no fear, Indonesia's 'Super-isoman' is here to help in Covid-19 pandemic
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Mr Agus Widanarko, dressed in a superhero outfit, carrying a sign that reads "Super Isoman entertains isolated children and orphans due to the coronavirus disease" in Sukoharjo, Central Java province.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
SUKOHARJO, INDONESIA (REUTERS) - At the height of Indonesia's deadly second wave of coronavirus infections, Mr Agus Widanarko donned a superhero outfit and made multiple visits to isolating households each day to bring some smiles and support to children during the pandemic.
His efforts have earned the 40-year-old, who normally works as a drug counsellor, the nickname of "Super-isoman" ("isoman" refers to self-isolation in Indonesia).
"I do this because many children feel bored during the 14 days of isolation, so they need psychological assistance or trauma healing," said Mr Widanarko, who is also known as Danar.
At the start of the second wave in June, he visited about six families daily, dressed in a range of his superhero costumes, including as Spider-Man and Batman.
With a drop in the caseload, Mr Widanarko, who reckons he has entertained more than 100 children in four months, now conducts visits in his neighbourhood in Central Java once a week.
He recently visited five-year-old Muhammad Fakhri, who was isolating with his family and had lost his father to Covid-19.
"Of course, I am very happy that my son got entertainment. Coincidentally, it was his birthday yesterday and he was very sad as he was not accompanied by his father," said Ms Nur Hidayah Brotowati, 37, Muhammad's mother.
Indonesia has faced one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in Asia, recording more than four million cases and over 138,000 fatalities, with the young often bearing the brunt of mental and emotional anguish.
In a report, the United Nations Children's Fund estimates that 80 million children and adolescents in Indonesia are facing widespread secondary impacts on their learning, health, nutrition and economic security because of the pandemic.
At the start of the second wave in June, he visited about six families daily, dressed in a range of his superhero costumes.
PHOTO: AGUS WIDANARKO/FACEBOOK
Sebelas Maret University psychology lecturer Fadjri Kirana Anggarani said the visits could help children get some meaningful stimulus during the pandemic to support development of their imagination and social relations.
Super-isoman said he also gets plenty from his role.
"What I get from this activity is a psychological reward. When the child is happy, I am touched and happy," Mr Widanarko said.
