Building Hope Amidst the Disaster: The Experience of the Bantul People toward the May 2006 Earthquake

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explain the solidarity of people toward the victims of disasters and the relation between solidarity and the virtues of hope and faith. Solidarity in its various forms does not stand alone, but connects to the virtue of hope, which is based on faith. From the experiences of the Bantul people in the province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, following the May 2006 earthquake, the material and spiritual support of people from all over the world helped the survivors to rise from adversity. The virtues of hope and faith strengthened them to endure suffering and rise again. 

Keywords: solidarity, hope, faith, virtue, disaster.