Bartoven Vivit Nurdin
Sociologist at the Faculty of Social and Political Science of Unila
THIS writing explores the importance of generosity as social capital in dealing with the effects of the COVID-19. Declining community income and stretching economy of the lower middle class are the worst impacts at this time.
The most terrible impact is not only the death of the virus itself but also deaths due to poverty and hunger caused by loss of income
Last few months, the world faced this pandemic. Many things cannot be predicted the impact, starting from the scarcity of masks, hand sanitizers, and vitamin C that are difficult to find on the market. Although available, the price is soaring high.
Not to mention the lack of PPE for front-line medical personnel. In fact, in other countries, there is panic buying which impacts people’s lives worse, especially countries on lockdowns.
In Indonesia, there are many ways to anticipate this outbreak. The government must think hard to create social engineering to make residents remain at home, keep social distance, stop mass gathering, work from home and study at home, and encourage them to wear masks and washing hands.
Various methods are also have been done by involving the media on COVID-19 socializations, issuing a notice from the Chief of The Indonesia National Police, making the rule of law, to conducting PSBB
For the upper-middle class, the decision might not be too affected. Having enough savings to live and a steady income are enough to keep residents at home. People can subscribe to cable television, browse the internet, explore their hobbies in cooking, exercising, and other activities with the family.
However, for the lower class who are thinking about what to eat today, such as online drivers (Ojol), street vendors, food stall workers, etc., this pandemic has had a serious impact on the new socioeconomic problems like poverty and hunger. The stretch of the economy has truly felt the extraordinary impact of this pandemic.
The government has been brainstorming on how to minimize the impact on society, especially in the economic sector. Some ways have been done by reducing electricity payments and other social assistance like Jaring Pengaman Nasional. However, the government cannot do it by itself. Cooperation from all parties is needed to end the pandemic. Therefore, there are many social philanthropies have been carried out by various groups at this time, both individuals, foundations, groups, or companies.
In sociology and anthropology, we are familiar with the concept of philanthropy, which is love for fellow human beings (Philos means to love and Anthropos means human). This concept manifested by generous behavior and love for others or more precisely called social philanthropy.
This tradition has existed since the days of Ancient Greece and Rome. They donate property for people’s needs such as education. Likewise in the days of Ancient Egypt donated their land to be used by religious leaders and the general public for public use.
Indonesia has been known for its generosity like mutual assistance for a long time ago, volunteering, and donating to others. Therefore, Indonesian people should be familiar with this kind of tradition.
Philanthropy can be called as the social capital for the society in dealing with this pandemic. Many parties have taken various social actions to help those affected by the pandemic. Although the responsibility belongs to the government, cooperation from various parties is very helpful to accelerate the passing of this pandemic.
One of the most capable parties to help is private parties, especially big companies who should have philanthropic and CSR programs. At a time like this, the implementation of philanthropy is awaited to overcome the crisis that hit the society.
Big companies run this program as social philanthropy in the midst of this pandemic. Philanthropy is sustainable, a long-term program. Its impact is very broad, organized, and measurable. Philanthropy is similar to CSR in a glance, but the difference is CSR used for the core business, whereas philanthropy is a relevant program during a pandemic like this.
Therefore, social engineering needs to be made to know how the philanthropy spurred by qualified parties to do it. It is not difficult to do because philanthropy has already existed in Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia has been named one of the most generous countries in the world. It means cooperation and mutual assistance in times of adversity are not new to Indonesia.
Sakai Sambayan
Cooperation and philanthropy are characteristic of Indonesian society and the local wisdom that has been existed and developed. For example, in Lampung culture, heterogeneous people are full of cooperation. This is called Sakai Sambayan, a culture of help each other and has existed for a long times.
Amid this pandemic, our sense of Sakai Sambayan is tested to maintain its noble cultural identity and character. We need to continue this culture Sakai Sambayan to create a culture of mutual assistance and social generosity. Not only from private parties, communities, foundations, and companies also can held various acts to help society.
Some of my research results explain that Lampung people are open to change. The culture experienced various shifts, but there are some things have not changed which are identity and character that manifested as Sakai Sambayan, cooperation and social generosity.
This is the core culture that Lampung people should have and needed in dealing with this pandemic. Companies, in particular, should make Sakai Sambayan as corporate culture in developing their business in philanthropic programs. By building this culture, the current complicated situation will be handled well. Finally, never stop praying, hopefully, this pandemic will soon pass. ***
